Registration for this course closes on 6/17/2026

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.


Title: And Justice for ELs: A Leader's Guide to Creating and Sustaining Equitable Schools. Author: Cooper, Ayanna, Corwin Press - ISBN 978-1-5443-8814-4.


This is a basic introductory course to English as a Second Language. It will include the five domains of teaching English language learners - culture, language, planning instruction, assessment, and professionalism. Emphasis is placed on the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) teaching standards and the ESL K-12 standards. Teachers will examine research-based practices in relation to the five domains and identify their role as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.

Registration closes for this course on 7/08/2026

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.


Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners. Authors: Snyder, Sydney and Staehr-Fenner, Diane. Corwin Press - ISBN 978-1-544-39025-3


This course will provide an examination of theory, diversity, and pedagogy constructs for explicit applications to practice in classrooms with English Language Learners. A historical exploration of immigration, cultural perspectives, and teaching practices that demonstrate and explicate the interconnectedness of culture and cognition are provided. By examining the background of English Language Learners and their cultures a framework for creating a culturally responsive classroom environment is developed.

Registration closes for this course on 8/05/2026

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.


How Languages are Learned (5th ed). Authors: Lightbrown, Patsy and Spada, Nina. Oxford Press - ISBN 9780-194406291.


This course is designed to give the participants an understanding of the theories of how language is acquired. We will be discussing various language acquisition theories, the stages of language acquisition, and strategies of how to help your students acquire language in the four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. We will also discuss accommodations and modifications along with these teaching strategies that can be used during small group ESL instruction and by general education teachers.

Registration for this course closes on 10/28/2026

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.


Classroom Instruction That Works with English Learners (2nd ed). Authors: Hill & Miller. ISBN: 978-14166-1630-6


Teachers will examine the theories, principles, and practices that assist English language learners in achieving academic proficiency in the content areas. Planning standards-based instruction and adapting instruction in the content areas is emphasized. To promote the academic success of English language learners, teachers will involve the family and community, and analyze the learner to establish learning goals and assessment measures that are appropriate for the individual student. ESL teachers will be able to demonstrate knowledge of their ELLs and the role of individual characteristics in the process and outcome of language learning. Drawing upon this knowledge, they will demonstrate an ability to observe and plan standards-based ESL and content instruction for students from K-12. They will use the PA Academic Content Standards, as well as, the PA English Language Proficiency Standards when planning lessons. They will use performance-based measures to assess ELLs discrete and integrated ability to use grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing to communicate.

Registration for this course closes on 1/06/2027

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.


Title: Powerful Practices for Supporting English Learners: Elevating Diverse Assets and Identities First Edition, Westernoff, F., Jones-Vo, S., & Markus, P. (2021) Corwin Press ISBN: 9781544380094


Most English language learners are from another country. They come in with anxieties and go through phases of cultural adjustments. Without the necessary support, it might be hard for them to transition smoothly and thus be able to learn English well and fast.

This course is geared toward equipping ESL teachers with the necessary tools to give ESL students the support they need while they undergo the challenges of transition. Issues that may arise concerning the support of students in the classroom, school and the community will be addressed.

Registration for this course closes on 2/17/2027

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.


Title: Assessing Multilingual Learners: Bridges to Empowerment, (3rd Edition). Author: Gottlieb, Margo. Corwin Press, ISBN: 978-10-71897270


Assessing and supporting English Language Learners can be challenging for teachers and students. As English language learners in grades K-12 acquire English, there needs to be appropriate and valid measures in place when assessing their progress. Assessment tools need to be based upon individual proficiency levels of students. In this course, student teachers will gain exposure to the tools necessary to assess English Language Learners. The course will offer knowledge on benchmarks for each English proficiency level.

ESL teachers demonstrate and share knowledge and techniques of appropriate assessments with a range of stakeholders. This includes the ability to administer required testing as well as to make accommodations to such testing when appropriate; the expertise to help colleagues and families understand how assessment can be designed and interpreted to best demonstrate what ELLs know and are able to do; the use of data generated by multiple measures to ensure that ELLs have access to a quality language instructional program; Revised 12/18/2017 and to make progress toward benchmarks and display academic growth while receiving services within an ESL program.