ESL : Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why should I get an ESL endorsement through BYU?
    • Adds ESL endorsement to state teaching license
    • Increase in teaching opportunities
    • Theoretically sound, comprehensive program
    • Video interviews with important scholars
    • Representation of all stakeholders providing multiple perspectives
    • Systematic pedagogy throughout all courses
    • Emphasis on reflective practice
    • Enhancement of teaching skills
    • Completion of national TESOL K–12 standards

     

  2. How can I get an ESL endorsement?
    • Take six courses plus a student teaching experience, offered through BYU on campus or at a participating school district: Alpine, Nebo, North/South Sanpete, Wasatch, Salt Lake, Evanston.
    • Contact the McKay School of Education on campus.
    • Contact the ESL or ALS office of your school district.

     

  3. How does the TESOL K-12 minor relate to an ESL endorsement?
    • The TESOL K-12 minor, which is available through the BYU Teacher Education Department, provides the coursework required by the state that one must complete in order to earn an ESL endorsement.

     

  4. How long does it take to complete the program?
    • The TESOL K-12 minor is embedded within the Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education: Mild/Moderate programs. For these majors, completing the major in the sequence recommended on the graduation plan set by ESS results in subsequently completing the TESOL K-12 minor. Secondary Education and Special Education: Severe majors can only take two (2) courses per semester. This means that students should intersperse this course work across their programs following the recommended sequence below.

     

  5. What is the recommended sequence of courses? Sec Ed, El Ed, ECE, SPED, K-12 TESOL Minor
    Secondary Education Elementary Education Early Childhood Education Special Education
    Course Title Course Title Course Title Course Title
    Elang. 223 Introduction to 
    English Language    		 El Ed 
    323     		 Foundations of 
    Literacy 
    Development    		 El Ed 323 Foundations of
    Literacy 
    Development    		 CPSE 425 Foundations in
    Language Arts
    Sc Ed 353 Multicultural
    Education    		 El Ed 203 Foundations of
    Multicultural
    Education    		 El Ed 203 Foundations of
    Multicultural
    Education    		 CPSE 480 Multicultural Issues
    TELL 410 Understanding
    Language
    Acquisition    		 TELL 410 Understanding
    Language
    Acquisition    		 TELL 410 Understanding
    Language
    Acquisition    		 TELL 410 Understanding
    Language
    Acquisition
    TELL 430 Developing Second 
    Language Literacy    		 El Ed 333/443 Teaching Literacy
    in the Primary
    Grades    		 ECE 433 Teaching Reading
    in ECE Classrooms    		 CPSE 430 Teaching Reading
    TELL 440 Integrating Content
    and Language
    Instruction    		 TELL 440 Integrating Content
    and Language
    Instruction    		 TELL 440 Integrating Content
    and Language
    Instruction    		 TELL 440 Integrating Content
    and Language
    Instruction
    TELL 420 Assessment for
    Linguistically
    Diverse Students    		 El Ed 213 Instructional Design
    & Assessment for
    All Learners    		 El Ed 213 Instructional Design
    & Assessment for
    All Learners    		 CPSE 420 Assessment
    TELL 450 Family, School,
    and Community 
    Partnership    		 TELL 450 Family, School,
    and Community 
    Partnership    		 TELL 450 Family, School,
    and Community 
    Partnership    		 CPSE 460 Collaboration
    TELL 477R TESOL K-12
    Student Teaching    		 TELL 477R TESOL K-12
    Student Teaching    		 TELL 477R TESOL K-12
    Student Teaching    		 TELL 477R TESOL K-12
    Student Teaching
  6. Do I have to be enrolled as a student at BYU?
    • The ESL endorsement courses are offered as evening classes, so students do not have to be accepted into the BYU day school in order to enroll. See http://eveningclasses.ce.byu.edu .
    • Participants must pay graduate tuition if they already have a bachelor’'s degree.

     

  7. Is there a language requirement?
    • There is not a language requirement for an ESL endorsement.

     

  8. Do I need to take the PRAXIS for ESL?
    • Although the State of Utah does not require the PRAXIS in ESL for elementary education majors, other states may require it. 
    • Recommendations vary for secondary teachers, depending on their major. 
    • Students should check with the relevant state office of education.

     

  9. What can I do with my ESL endorsement?
    • It better qualifies you to work with second language learners in your mainstream classroom.
    • It also enables you to work with second language learners in a self-contained setting.
    • You are eligible for openings in school districts requiring ESL endorsements.

     

  10. What do all those acronyms mean?
    • ALS: Alternative language services
    • EBL: Emergent bilingual learner
    • EFL: English as a foreign language
    • EL: English Learner
    • ELL: English language learner
    • ESL: English as a second language
    • ESOL: English to speakers of other languages
    • TEFL: Teaching English as a foreign language
    • TESOL: Teaching English to speakers of other languages