English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Candidates choosing the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) concentration will become more proficient in working with the growing student population for whom English is a second or third language, as well as those professionals who work with children and young adults who are English Language Learners. The program assists teachers and other school professionals in developing the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for effective expertise in bilingual teaching, learning, and assessment within K-12 education. This program will also benefit reading specialists and special educators.

Program Advantages

• Engages with cutting edge education topics; especially for urban contexts 
• Blends theory with practice
• Small class sizes
• Vibrant faculty who are experts in their field
• Learn with a diverse range of teachers from public, independent and parochial schools in a variety of specialty areas and grade levels
• Engaging online or hybrid course options
• No certification required!

Program of Study

The M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is a 33 credit program, including 6 core Curriculum and Instruction graduate courses and 5 ESOLgraduate courses. Students choosing the ESOL concentration will become more knowledgeable about issues of social justice and how they play out specifically for English language learners. They will become well-versed in the history of education systems that have worked to prevent bilingual and multilingualism in schools and the ways that allies have come together to allow for students to learn content in their home languages as well as in English. After learning about the socio-historical factors impacting schooling, curriculum, and pedagogies for English language learners, students develop specialized knowledge for becoming more effective educators on behalf of English language learners, specifically, and in general for all learners as well.

Sample Program of Study
Fall 1	ED612 Philosophy, History, and Reforms in Education
	ED618 Instructional Theories
Spring 1	ED651 Curriculum Theories
	ED659 Power, Identity, and Intersectionalities
Summer 1	RE603 Language, Literacy, and Culture
	ED600 Foundations of Research in Education
Fall 2	RE540 Linguistics for Teachers of Language and Literacy
	RE602 Second Language Development: Theory and Practice
Spring 2	RE606 Assessments in Bilingual and Second Language Education
	RE604 Methods for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language
Summer 2	ED805 Capstone Seminar

Completion Time

This program may be taken part-time (to be completed in 2-5 years) with up to 5 or 6 classes offered per calendar year. Part-time offers a self-paced opportunity to complete requirements over a longer period of time with courses delivered at times of the day that are convenient to full-time work schedules. In addition, online course offerings are also available for all of the coursework. 

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Obtain a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction for Social Justice with a concentration in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
2. Seek additional ESOL endorsement by completing the Praxis II test (for students with Maryland teaching certification).
3. Pursue leadership roles in schools and district offices.
4. Further your graduate studies at the doctoral level.