BVIU is proud to offer online English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist certification courses. These PDE-approved graduate level courses fulfill the PDE requirements of Act 48 (post-baccalaureate credits) and level II certification. Applications are due by August 29, 2024. A new cohort will begin on September 9, 2024.
The program operates from September to April and all classes are online. Participants must complete all six courses with a passing grade with 65% or higher and finish all field-based components in order to apply for a certification. The ESL curriculum consists of six courses which must be taken in sequence. Each course is three credits worth 90 Act 48 hours and includes a 10-hour practicum. Certification applications are available on the PDE TIM website. Required courses are listed below:
- ESL 1: Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language
Prerequisite: PA Instructional I or II teacher certification
September 9, 2024 – October 18 2024 - ESL 2: Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
Prerequisite: ESL 1, Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language
October 21, 2024 – November 29, 2024 - ESL 3: Observing, Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction
Prerequisite: ESL 2, Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
December 2, 2024 – January 10, 2025 - ESL 4: Language Acquisition and Development
Prerequisite: ESL 3, Observing, Planning, Implementing and Managing Instruction
January 13, 2025- February 28, 2025 - ESL 5: Assessment and Support
Prerequisite: ESL 4, Language Acquisition and Development
March 3, 2025 – April 11, 2025 - ESL 6: English Language Learners, Families, Community and Professionalism
Prerequisite: ESL 5, Assessment and Support
April 14, 2025 – May 30, 2025
Field-based Component
Each ESL course includes a field-based component of 10 hours for a total of 60 hours. The field experiences are aligned with the course competencies for each course in the program. At the end of the program, there will be culminating final teaching assignment which will include practicum components from all of the six courses.
Admission into the ESL Program
Applicants should have a valid PA teaching certificate and an undergraduate degree from an accredited domestic college or university. Foreign applicants must demonstrate appropriate English proficiency by ACTFL test. Details are provided within the application. After you are admitted to the ESL program, you will be emailed information for registration into the courses. After successfully completing of all of the six courses and the final teaching assignment, candidates will apply to PDE to add the ESL certificate to their existing PA teaching certificate. BVIU will be able to provide support for the process.
Tuition
The tuition is $2,370.00 for all six courses. A total of $395.00 is due before the beginning of each of course. There is no application fee for applying to the program.
Combining old (2012) and New (post-2013) ESL Certification Courses
If you completed ESL certification courses prior to 2012 and want to finish a certification, existing course work will be evaluated. Please send a transcript, course descriptions, proof of ESL teaching experience and a $100.00 money order made payable to BVIU, attention Curriculum Services.
Direct any question/s about the ESL program and certification to Jill Martin at jill.martin@bviu.org.