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The endorsement program in English as a second language (ESL) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is a partnered program between the University's English Language Institute and School of Education. The program is designed to equip teachers with the skills, knowledge, and experience to teach diverse multilingual K-12 student populations. University of Michigan ESL endorsement program faculty and cooperating teachers from Michigan public schools are committed equally to the improvement of schooling and life opportunities for all children, and to the professional education of prospective and practicing teachers.
The program has been designed to be flexibly tailored to the professional development of K-12 teacher candidates in the undergraduate elementary and secondary teacher education programs, K-12 teacher candidates in the elementary and secondary Master of Arts with Certification programs (ELMAC and MAC), and experienced K-12 teachers.
The UM-Ann Arbor ESL endorsement program enables teachers to develop:
- An understanding of the nature of language in general, and of the English language in particular, developing an ability to analyze the major linguistic subsystems;
- Knowledge of the processes of first and second language acquisition, developing strategies for promoting language acquisition in their classrooms;
- Understand the complexity of language learning as a cognitive process, while at the same time acknowledging the importance of more recent research on the social contexts of language learning;
- An ability to work with multilingual and multicultural K-12 student populations through understanding and valuing social and cultural factors that influence learning and learners, thereby enriching learning experiences for all children;
- An understanding of the importance of integrating ESL theory and methodology together with the methods and approaches of educational learning theories;
- An ability to plan and implement lessons and to evaluate and develop teaching materials based on theoretically sound principles, and techniques appropriate for diverse student populations
- Skills in language assessment and a knowledge of a variety of appropriate assessment instruments and strategies;
- Pedagogical skills in a structured and supportive teaching environment in elementary and middle schools enabling student teachers to be exposed to excellent teacher role models, and teaching practice in ESL classrooms.
The University of Michigan ESL endorsement program encourages student teachers to adopt a role of advocacy on behalf of their students and student families, believing teachers to be builders of communities extending beyond the classroom, as well as valued members of professional communities.
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