Teacher Education
College of Education
ESOL Endorsement
Important Notice
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The ESOL Endorsement Program is suspended until further notice. New students are not being accepted. Current students have until summer 2012 to finish their courses. There will be no courses offered after summer 2012. |
Commonly Asked Questions about Enrollment
1. I have a master’s degree from another university. I want to get graduate credit for the ESOL endorsement courses. How do I apply?
You need to apply as a non-degree graduate applicant to Graduate Studies. You fill out the graduate application and education majors form. You will have to pay a $40 one-time application fee since you do not have your master’s from NGCSU. You need to have an updated immunization form on file (which includes proof of tetanus within the last 10 years). If you are working toward the Med degree, you also need to apply to the Teacher Education Program and submit application materials.
2. I do not want to get graduate credit for the ESOL endorsement courses.We only offer a graduate credit program for ESOL endorsement. You should contact another institution such as Pioneer RESA.
3. Can ESOL endorsement credit count toward the specialist degree?
Not at North Georgia.
4. How do I add the ESOL Endorsement to my certificate?NGCSU INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CERTIFICATION PACKET
5. I want graduate credit as a post-baccalaureate student. What do I do?
If you are already admitted to the Teacher Education Post-Baccalaureate program, you should check with your advisor about when you should take the ESOL courses. You do not have to reapply to either Graduate Studies or Teacher Ed.
Graduate Studies Admissions Requirements6. Does financial aid cover the endorsement courses?
Enrolling as a graduate or post-baccalaureate? - Possibly. Please contact the financial aid office for more information: http://www.northgeorgia.edu/FinAid/
7. Do I have to take the courses in a certain sequence?
You may take all three courses simultaneously in the summer. If you take them separately, we strongly recommend that you take them in the order they are numbered: 3/6001, 3/6002, and then 3/6003.
8. What textbooks do I need to buy?
Currently, all readings are online. You are required to buy LiveText (an online assessment/portfolio system, currently $98).
9. What are the course start dates?
All courses follow NGCSU's course start dates. For summer we follow the 2nd short session. See the academic calendars at http://www.northgeorgia.edu/AcademicCalendars/
10. I want to register as a PLU student. What do I do?
North Georgia is no longer offering the PLU version of the ESOL Endorsement program. Students currently in the program must finish the program summer 2012. For all other students, you should contact another institution such as Pioneer RESA.
11. For students currently in the PLU ESOL program,
Please contact Dana Turner (dturner@northgeorgia.edu) to register for your class and make payment with a credit card. Payment must be made in full before class begins.
12. How realistic is it to take all three graduate courses in the summer?The courses are reading and writing intensive with projects and a practicum involving working with English language learners. We suggest you do not plan any major vacations or events such as weddings while taking the courses. If you are away, you must be sure you will have functioning internet access readily available.
13. How do I complete the practicum portion of the courses?
The practicum is a part of TSLE 3/6003 and currently requires 30 hours of observation/work with ESL students. When taken during the fall semester, you should be able to find a school district willing to let you make the observations. The instructor can assist you in this as well.
In the summer, when ESL programs are more difficult to locate, we currently have an agreement with a school in Hall County. If you cannot attend that practicum then you will need to work with the instructor to locate another acceptable summer program or, as a last resort, take an incomplete grade and complete the practicum part of the course in the fall semester.
14. I took one or two of the three required courses at another university but want to finish the endorsement here. How do I get the endorsement?
When you apply to the state for the endorsement you will send in transcripts (grad, undergrad, or PLU) from all of the programs you took courses to fulfill the state's requirements. If the state deems their requirements fulfilled then they will issue you the endorsement.
15. What are the deadlines for acceptance into the endorsement program?
If you are not currently a NGCSU student, then you must apply to the university. The ESOL deadline coincides with the university admission deadline. Please contact the Admissions office for deadlines.
If you are a current NGCSU student, then you may enroll in the graduate courses through Banner during your regular registration time.
16. How do I add the ESOL endorsement to my teaching certification?
http://www.northgeorgia.edu/certification
17. What is the difference between ESOL certification and endorsement?
Currently the state of Georgia does not offer teaching certification in ESOL. The state offers an add-on endorsement. To officially receive the endorsement you must have a current teaching certificate. Upon successful completion of the courses you then apply to the state to have the endorsement added to your certificate.
18. What can I do with the endorsement?
if you are a certified teacher you will now have the credentials to work as an ESOL professional at your school. Many students who do not have teaching certification wish to teach English abroad. Having the equivalent of an endorsement will give you an advantage over other candidates applying for the same job. Considering the multicultural world that we live in today, any course which focuses on working with people of different languages and cultures is advantageous.
19. I have a lot of experience in the ESOL field already. Can I count that toward the endorsement?
No. The state of Georgia has certain requirements which every candidate must fulfill. All recipients of the endorsement must complete a portfolio showing they have met the TESOL professional standards. (Being an ELL yourself, being an ESOL teacher, or having many ELLs in your classes is not an unusual circumstance.)