Penn State Abington offers the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist Certification program to PreK-12 educators and to undergraduate education students who may be interested in obtaining the ESL Certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The focus of the program is on preparing teachers to meet the needs of English learners (ELs) in culturally and linguistically diverse PreK-12 classrooms.
The ESL Specialist Certificate for undergraduate education students is available as an optional certification to accompany their degree program in Elementary and Early Childhood Education (PreK-4).
The graduate-level certificate is available for current PreK-12 educators.
This program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
Dr. Senyshyn with teacher candidates who earned their ESL certification. Pinning ceremony for Elementary and Early Childhood Education graduates, April 2024.
Required courses
EDUC 466N (3 credits) Foundations for Teaching ESL
EDUC 467 (3 credits) English Language Structure for ESL Teachers
EDUC 468 (3 credits) Language Acquisition for ESL Teachers
EDUC 469 (3 credits) Teaching Methods and Assessments for ESL
Candidates should begin with EDUC 466N and complete EDUC 469 as the final course in the sequence.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that candidates complete the following course during their student-teaching semester:
EDUC 495 (1 credit) Practicum
Questions?
Contact Dr. Roxanna Senyshyn, Professor-in-Charge of ESL Specialist Certification Program [email protected].
Upcoming Courses
FALL 2025
EDUC 466 N (3 credits) Foundations for Teaching ESL
Gain a critical understanding and appreciation for language diversity and culture while enhancing the knowledge and skills necessary to work with culturally and linguistically diverse learners, their families, and their communities.
EDUC 468 (3 credits) Language Acquisition for ESL Teachers
Explore first and second language learning, socio-cultural contexts and learner variables, and the issues related to cognition and developmental psycholinguistics.
EDUC 469 (3 credits) Teaching Methods and Assessments for ESL
Learn and integrate curricular, instructional, and assessment theories and practices into the elementary/secondary classroom setting to promote language and literacy development.
SPRING 2026
EDUC 466 N (3 credits) Foundations for Teaching ESL
Gain a critical understanding and appreciation for language diversity and culture while enhancing knowledge and skills necessary to work with culturally and linguistically diverse learners, their families, and their communities.
EDUC 467 (3 credits) English Language Structure for ESL Teachers
Develop a greater understanding of major linguistic and structural concepts and issues and how diversity shapes the educational experience of English Learners and immigrant/newcomer populations in general.
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map (available July 1).
