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College of Education

English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Certificate

Carla Janosky, ELL Teacher, Greenville County School District

“The Clemson University ESOL Certification program not only extended my understanding of how English Language Learners learn within the mainstream classroom, it also created an acute awareness of the requirements that we have as educators to serve these students. I am so thankful that I completed this program at Clemson University. In a society that continues to see growth of international learners, I feel completely prepared to teach all students and equip them for successful lives and careers.”

Carla Janosky
ELL Teacher
Greenville County School District

The Clemson University College of Education offers a five-course ESOL Certificate. Following completion of the Certificate, students will have the option to apply for an add-on ESOL certification from the South Carolina State Department of Education..

Interested in gaining your Certificate and a master’s degree?

The ESOL Certificate can also be completed alongside our Literacy M.Ed. program. Visit our Literacy program website for more information. 

  • Program Goals

    The ESOL Certificate courses are designed to help teachers meet the needs of students for whom English is not their dominant language. The goal is to prepare teachers to support student success in school and in society through the development of cultural awareness and English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

  • Admission Requirements

    Applying to the Program:
    The ESOL Certificate only admits students for the summer entrance term.
    Apply by submitting a Graduate School application.

    Application Deadline:
    The application deadline is April 15th.

    Application Requirements:
    Applicants must:

    • Have obtained a baccalaureate degree
    • Have obtained initial Teacher Certification
    • Submit unofficial transcript(s) via the Graduate School Application - official transcript(s) will be required upon acceptance
  • Program Requirements

    The ESOL Certificate requires the completion of the five courses listed below. All courses are three credit hours and are taught asynchronously online

    EDLT 8140: Reading and Writing Instruction and Assessment for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
    Examines cross-cultural theoretical dimensions, principles and research related to second language acquisition and provides a knowledge base for teaching the reading and writing processes to English language learners (ELLs). Instructional models, strategies and tools supporting ELLs and their learning needs are presented.

    EDLT 8220: Principles and Strategies for Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages
    Helps participants develop culturally and linguistically responsive classrooms with instructional strategies for teaching the language acquisition process within the context of academics supportive of English language learners (ELLs) and their learning needs.

    EDLT 8230: Introduction to Linguistics
    Introduction to linguistics, including the subfields of syntax, morphology, phonology, semantics, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Also includes the study of writing systems and applications to literacy, language acquisition, and language contact and change

    EDLT 8250: Cultural Diversity in Education
    Examination of components of culture, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, linguistic identity, and gender, their impact on a student’s identity, and how this identity is tied to a student’s learning and academic achievement.

    EDLT 8240: Practicum in the Instruction of ESOL Elementary and Secondary Learners
    Supervised observation and teaching experiences in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in cooperation with selected elementary and/or secondary schools.

    In addition to completing the required coursework, teachers must also pass the PRAXIS exam and apply to the S.C. Department of Education to be certified. Please refer to the South Carolina Teacher Certification Manual for the most current certification requirements.

  • Financial Information

    Tuition
    The ESOL Certificate is offered at our tier three traditional tuition rate - approximately $594 per credit hour for part-time in-state students or $1,182 per credit hour for part-time out-of-state students.

    Financial Aid
    For information regarding financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

    * Tuition and fees are subject to change. The information provided on this webpage is only an approximation.

  • Find Out More

    For more information regarding the certificate or questions associated with applying to the certificate, please contact Madison Hudson at mhedden@clemson.edu.

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