ESOL Endorsement
As an endorsement, this program is recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). As of Fall 2024, it is also a UGA certificate program. Therefore, completion of the program will be noted on the GaPSC certificate and on the UGA transcript.
Learn to support English learners in your classroom by adding the ESOL Endorsement to your teaching certificate or licensure. You will complete three online courses (see description below) with additional fieldwork so you experience hands-on training in either face-to-face or virtual teaching spaces. Our online coursework for the ESOL Endorsement at UGA accommodates both current students and working professionals and is taught by internationally recognized faculty.
To qualify for the ESOL Endorsement Program, you must either be a current UGA student pursuing teacher certification in another subject area, or hold one of the following:
- A teaching certification in a subject area other than TESOL/ESOL (e.g., math, science, early childhood education, etc.);
- A speech and language pathology professional certificate; or,
- A Georgia school counseling credential.
To successfully add an ESOL Endorsement to your teaching certificate, you must:
- Complete an application for admission . Beginning in August 2021, applications must be submitted and approved at least one semester prior to course enrollment.
- Successfully complete a three-course series:
- LLED 5040 / 7040E: Language and Culture in the ESOL Classroom
- LLED 5630 / 7630E: TESOL Classroom Methodology and Practice
- LLED 5730 / 7730E: 1st and 2nd Language Acquisition and Development
- Successfully complete an ESOL Endorsement portfolio via Xitracs eLC.
- Refer to the endorsement program completion and certification checklist (PDF) for details about the endorsement program process.
Highlights
- Earn the ESOL endorsement on your teaching certificate
- Available to degree and non-degree students
- Open to those with a teaching certificate, speech and language pathology certificate, or Georgia school counseling credential
- Mostly online coursework, with some field experience
Curriculum
Students in the ESOL Endorsement program must be able to commit to the completion of at least 1 to 2 semesters of coursework (9 credit hours) in order to earn the Endorsement. The program includes an introduction to theories of first and second language acquisition; a focused study on the connections between language and culture in local and global contexts, and classroom methodology and practice in either in-person or virtual spaces. The two foundation courses in language acquisition and culture will help you develop an understanding of second-language education. You will put this new knowledge into practice during a final course in ESOL methods.
Our faculty members are multilingual/multicultural language educators and learners who draw from diverse experiences to enhance their courses. They also publish in the top peer-reviewed journals in the field of second-language research. As a result, our curriculum will expose you to a variety of advanced educational theories and teaching approaches.
How to Apply
All applicants must complete the College’s internal endorsement application form in addition to any other applications required by the endorsement program or UGA Graduate School.
Admissions
Application Process for Current UGA Students
Complete the application for admission . It can take up to one month for your application to be reviewed and processed.
If you have not received an email about your application within a month, please email the program coordinator .
Application Process for Non-Degree Seeking Applicants
When completing your Graduate School application, please include the following documents:
- Current resume/CV
- Statement of purpose
- Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
Start A Graduate School Application Login to existing application
Deadline to Apply
Application Deadlines for Non-Degree Seeking Applicants
Spring
- October 15 (international applicants)
- November 15 (domestic applicants)
Summer
- February 15 (international applicants)
- April 1 (domestic applicants)
Fall
- April 15 (domestic and international applicants)
Additional Resources
Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.
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