Lipscomb to offer ESL endorsement for teachers
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Posted on 11/3/2003
Lipscomb University's Department of Education will begin offering a "fast track" program leading to the English as a Second Language, or ESL, endorsement next summer. The interdisciplinary curriculum will provide an add-on endorsement for those who have a teaching license in another subject but wish to be licensed to teach ESL classes, said Dr. Mike Hammond, chair of the Department of Education at Lipscomb. ESL is known as English Language Learners, or "ELL", in Metro Nashville Public Schools. “There are hundreds of teachers who are licensed, but not in ELL, who are teaching ELL on a permit,” Hammond said. “This is an accelerated path for them to earn a license in ELL so they can meet the ‘highly qualified’ status mandated by ‘No Child Left Behind’ legislation.” Hammond said that teachers who enroll full time in the program should be able to complete the coursework in one summer. A practicum during their teaching placement, either the semester before or after the summer coursework, is also required. The program will be the only “fast track” curriculum for ESL licensure in the greater Metro Nashville area, Hammond said. Licensed teachers will have to complete a requiremnt amout credit hours to earn the add-on ESL endorsement, he said. Teachers completing the Lipscomb program will be licensed to teach in ESL programs as well.
Full information is available by contacting the Lipscomb Department of Education at 615.966.6076, 800.333.4358.