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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 certificate 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 committed 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 8631 Foundations of Language Teaching: Meeting the Instructional Needs of 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)
- TESOL 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 Requirements
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 who have taken some TESOL courses, have had experience as an ESL teacher, and/or have participated in ESL-related professional development activities may request a credential review. Please download and submit the
ESL Credential Evaluation Form [PDF]*
Submit all application materials to:
Temple University ESL Certificate Program
CITE Department
Attn: ESL Coordinator
3rd Floor Ritter Hall
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
NOTE: Undergraduate and graduate students matriculated in a College of Education teacher certification program are also eligible for the ESL Certificate Program.
If you are a current undergraduate certification student please provide the following to Dr. Jill Swavely:
- A completed application form
- A letter from your faculty advisor verifying you have achieved candidacy and are in good academic standing.
If you are a current graduate certification student, please provide the following to Dr. Jill Swavely:
- A completed application form
- A letter from your faculty advisor verifying you are in good standing in your program.
For more information, please contact
ESL Certificate Program Coordinator:
Jill Swavely Ed.D., Associate Professor of TESOL
phone: (215) 204-6120
e-mail: jmswav@temple.edu
*PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer.
