ESL/TESOL Certificate Program
[English as a Second Language Program Specialist]
Temple University is an approved provider for the Pennsylvania ESL Program Specialist Certificate. This certificate is described as an “add-on,” designed for teachers with a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certification who are currently working with or plan to work with ESL students in public schools in Pennsylvania.
Temple's ESL certficate program prepares teachers to work effectively in Pennsylvania public K-12 schools with children learning English as a second language because it creates a foundation in language theory to guide practice. It also helps teachers develop familiarity with multiple literacies, an understanding of pedagogy, experience with multicultural communication and mastery of a variety of instructional practices. There are four required courses in this program. Courses may be taken in any order.
Prospective students should have an Instructional I or II certificate that is valid in Pennsylvania. Alternatively, students may be accepted if they are matriculated in a certification program. Successful applicants should be comitted to improving educational opportunities for English language learners. Fluency in a second language is preferred but not required for ESL teaching.
Required Core Courses
Because the program is designed to serve practicing teachers and professionals, all fall and spring classes meet once a week from 5:30 - 8:00 in the evening.
- TESOL 8611 Applied Language Study I: Assessment of English Learners' Language and Literacy Development (offered each fall semester and every other summer)
- TESOL 8614 Approaches to Teaching English Language Learners (offered each fall semester and every other summer)
- TESOL 8616 Teaching Second/Foreign Language Skills:
Curriculum and Assessment in TESOL (offered each spring semester and every other summer)
- TESL 8621 Contexts for Teaching & Learning Language (offered each spring semester and every other summer)
For detailed course descriptions, see the Graduate School Bulletin/Course Listings.
Admissions Requirments
Applicants must submit:
- A copy of a Pennsylvania level I or level II teaching certificate or evidence that the candidate is enrolled in a certification program.
- Two letters of recommendation, one from a professor and one from a professional supervisor.
- To apply to the ESL Certificate Program, download the
ESL application form [PDF]*. - Applicants seeking endorsement for the Pennsylvania ESL certificate should download and submit the
ESL Credential Evaluation Form [PDF]*
*PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer.