Program Name and Number:  TESOL Endorsement Non-Degree Track – ND8887

Department(s)/Unit(s):  Linguistics Department

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus, Online

Terms of Entry: Fall, Summer

Enrollment Eligibility:  Current degree-seeking student or non-degree status

Program Overview:  The program is available to post-baccalaureate students with an Ohio teaching license who are seeking the endorsement only and not the Linguistics master’s degree. Students will take four linguistics courses: introduction to linguistics, language learning, methods and materials, and a language teaching practicum. The language teaching practicum involves fifty hours of field experience during which the candidate will observe and assist a P-12 teacher who has English Language Learners in their class. This field experience can take place in a school or after-school program/club. Candidates are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program, and must treat students, colleagues, and instructors with respect and use professional and clear communication within the program. In addition to the coursework, students must successfully pass the state-mandated assessment of English to Speakers of Other Languages (Ohio Assessment for Educators test #021) in order to add the TESOL Endorsement to their Ohio license. Students who complete the TESOL Endorsement may apply to have the TEFL Certificate conferred. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of students of diverse cultural and language backgrounds.

• Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of English structure and usage.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the process of language learning.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the context of second (new) language acquisition in the United States.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the assessment of second (new) language learners.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the instruction of linguistically diverse learners, including utilizing technology for their learning.
• Candidates observe and interact with second (new) language learners.
• Candidates keep current with research findings, instructional techniques, and education policy issues and use this information to inform their teaching practice and to provide support for English Language Learners and their families.

Opportunities upon Completion:  This TESOL Endorsement, which is added to an existing Ohio teaching license, contributes to increased knowledge and potential higher earnings as well as securing a teaching position. The need for teachers who are trained to work with English Language Learners continues to grow nationally and in Ohio, as the state has settled thousands of refugees and has a large immigrant population. Teachers who complete the endorsement have the opportunity to put 10 of these credit hours toward a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics at Ohio University.

Completion Requirements:

1. Minimum semester hours required: 14
2. Required courses: LING 5500 Introduction to Linguistics; LING 5750 Language Learning; LING 5800 Methods and Materials in TEFL; LING 5920 Language Teaching Practicum
3. Field experience: Yes, 50 hours. The Language Teaching Practicum includes 50 clock hours of field experience. Students choose their own field experience location. The field experience must involve at least some engagement with P-12 English Language Learners, such as tutoring or teaching. The location can be in a school or in an after-school program or club. All field experience locations and activities will need to be pre-approved by the Language Teaching Practicum professor. No video recording or observations by the Language Teaching Practicum professor are required for this endorsement.
4. Thesis requirement: No
5. Qualifying exam: No
6. Comprehensive exam: Passing the Ohio Assessment for Educators (021) will be required to add the TESOL Endorsement to your Ohio teaching license

Expected time to completion if studying fulltime: One semester if taking summer intensive program; four semesters if taking courses in fall and spring.

Admission Requirements:

• Current Ohio Teaching License
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
• Brief statement of purpose (1-2 pages) by the candidate
• For non-native English speakers: Minimum TOEFL: 600 (paper), 100 (iBT), or IELTS: 7.0 overall average.

International Students:  This endorsement program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.