Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Margarita Perez
Phone: 508-929-8609
Email: mperez@worcester.edu

Overview

Adult English language learners include immigrants, refugees, and migrants, each having particular experiences, strengths, and needs. Because of changing patterns of immigration, this population is continually changing in terms of country of origin, language background and literacy levels in the native language and in English (TESOL, Adult ESL and literacy instruction, 2000). Teachers of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), working with adult learners, need knowledge of ESL pedagogy and the opportunity to apply these skills in an adult learning context.

With an increasing need to serve adult learners, the Adult ESL Certificate program at Worcester State University prepares students to work in a variety of program settings like adult education, citizenship education programs, refugee services, and community colleges. Classes are available in the late afternoons and evenings as well as online. Our convenient program is designed for working professionals, with the option to complete the program part-time, or at an accelerated pace.

Students have the option to use these credits to continue studies toward initial ESL teacher licensure (pre-k-grade 6 or grades 5-12). Credits earned through the Adult ESL Certificate program are easily transferred to WSU’s Master of Education program upon acceptance to the program.

This 15-credit certificate program is designed to develop the capacity of teachers and others in educational settings to effectively teach adult English Language learners. In all courses students engage in field experiences where they can apply coursework within adult ESOL experiences.

For more information, or to apply, please contact the program coordinator listed above.

Items Needed to Apply:

• Online application found at www.worcester.edu/apply
• Essay explaining reason for pursuing this certificate program
• Application fee
• Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources
• Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Official transcript evaluation for any transcript from outside the United States
• An English language proficiency test if the student’s academic background is not in English