English as a Second Language
Core Subjects/Generalist (Early Childhood – 6th Grade)
Bachelor’s Program
The Early Childhood – 6th Grade Generalist ESL Certificate Program (ESL GEN) is designed for students seeking Texas certification to teach in elementary school classrooms. You will earn a B.S. in Education.
Explore
- developmental issues of children
- learning theory
- elementary school content
- social and emotional learning
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- and teaching methods
This interdisciplinary major prepares you to teach children with a variety of backgrounds and abilities with a strong component of field experience in public schools.
Program Overview
As an Early Childhood to Sixth Grade ESL Generalist major, you will take 18 hours of courses that focus on individual differences, cultural and linguistic diversity, human learning in multilingual and multicultural context, social concerns, children’s cognitive, social and emotional developmental theories, motivational value of play, effective physical education, health education and social justice.
- ALD 320 Cognition, Human Learning, & Motivation
- ALD 321 Play in Early Childhood Development
- ALD 322 Individual Differences
- ALD 327 Sociocultural Influences on Learning
- ALD 329 Acquisition of Language & Literacies
- HED 329K Child & Adolescent Health
- KIN 314 Children’s Movement
Classroom Teaching Experience
In addition to core coursework, you will participate in a Professional Development Sequence (PDS). Through this teacher preparation program, you will learn the foundations of teaching from coursework, fieldwork and observations, and be placed in elementary classrooms at several grade levels over the course of three semesters. You will earn up to 800 hours of classroom experience, far exceeding the 30-hour requirement set by the State of Texas.
You will also learn the fundamentals of teaching such as:
- how to prepare engaging lesson plans
- developing skills for consulting with classroom teachers and parents
- how to support and advocate for students who are not native English speakers
Our program has close connections with local area school districts, and a strong alumni network to support placements in student teaching.
Additional Resources
Small Class Sizes
Hands-on Learning
Up to 800 Classroom Hours
Study Abroad Options
Certification Passing Rate Exceeds 95%
