Teaching ESL: Theory and Methods

Evaluate theories of how learners grow and develop in first and second language acquisition including similarities and differences between child, adolescent and adult language acquisition and identify how patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas.

Identify, select, design, and prepare a variety of methods, techniques, and program models suitable for second language instruction with diverse learners including content based methodologies to meet the needs of the students with limited English proficiency and to differentiate instruction where appropriate in an environment that supports individual and collaborative learning, and that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Identify, select, design, prepare, assess and reflect on communicative language teaching and instruction in the second language contexts with a focus on developing communication skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing across the curriculum.

Identify, select, design, and prepare instruction in the teaching of English as a second language that integrates an understanding of English as a second language with the teacher's understanding of pedagogy, students, learning, classroom management, and professional development and differentiates instruction so that encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Design and integrate instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Identify, select and plan for the use of educational technology in every aspect of instruction from planning to assessment.