Required for License(s):
English as a Second Language – Initial (PreK-6) (5-12)
This course provides participants with an introduction to pedagogical approaches to reading and writing instruction for both English Language Learners (ELLs) and students of foreign or world languages; an overview of best practices to enhance literacy development within content area curriculum; an in-depth examination of the learning needs of students for whom English is a second language at different stages of proficiency (including those with limited or interrupted formal schooling); an analysis of the differences between foreign and second language teaching practices to promote literacy; and a survey of authentic and effective methods of assessing growth in language students’ reading and writing. Three core principles underlie the course design: 1) Literacy is directly correlated to long-term academic achievement for ELLs and must be comprehensively and meaningfully developed across the curriculum. 2) Effective literacy instruction incorporates regular opportunities for students to develop academic vocabulary and oral language skills. 3) Teachers must be aware of and develop curricula that take into account differences in the ways reading and writing are taught and learned in second vs. foreign language classrooms. The essential question for this course is: How can we design curriculum and classroom practices to simultaneously develop the literacy of students learning content in a second language or of students learning a foreign language?
This course includes a pre-practicum field-based experience.
Credit
This course may be taken either as part of a Licensure Program or as an individual course for PDPs. Graduate Credit through Fitchburg State University is available at additional cost; Master’s Degree and CAGS options are available. This course is included in your CES Initial Licensure tuition cost if it is required for your program. If you are a Licensure Enrollee and your account is in good standing, please indicate your status when registering for the course. This course may also be taken individually for professional development and/or license renewal.
Course Structure
This course includes a mix of asynchronous and synchronous online learning experiences. The first synchronous meeting session will be held at 97 Hawley St. in Northampton (pending COVID guidance) with the remaining three via Google Meet.
You will be required to log in and complete activities prior to the first online synchronous session. Please reserve all meeting dates listed.
