ESL Workshops

This page contains:

• General Information about the workshops
  
• Detailed Descriptions about what each one covers
• Registration Information
  

General Information

The Department of Language Studies and Academic Outreach offer a 2009 Certificate Program for ESL Practitioners Working with Young Adult and Adult Populations, a program for community-based educators, tutors, literacy volunteers, high school ESL/bilingual teachers, and aides.

Although the influx of the foreign-born population in the United States has experienced a slight downturn in recent years, other policies and developments have caused federal and state officials to recognize the continued importance of ESL instruction. Experts conclude that the need for quality English language instruction and its accessibility in a variety of settings to assist our diverse population continue to be important in preparation for predicted demographic shifts.

The Certificate Program

This program offers a solid grounding in current thinking and practice in teaching English as a second language (ESL).

In the four day-long workshops, the theories and principles of second language acquisition and the features of the English language are integrated with ESL teaching methodologies and assessment techniques.

To earn the certificate, participants must satisfactorily complete all four workshops. Requirements include full participation in each six-hour long workshop class and the completion of an assigned take-home project. Additional individual consultation with the course instructor following the class may also be required. Participants who satisfactorily complete all four workshops for academic credit will receive certificates of completion.

The certificate program can be offered on-site. To schedule or inquire about other Academic Outreach opportunities at NLU, please contact Don Grady at Don.Grady@nl.edu

The workshops may be taken individually or as a series for graduate, undergraduate, or continuing education credit. One semester hour (SH) of graduate or one quarter hour (QH) of undergraduate credit is awarded for the satisfactory completion of each workshop.

The certificate does not meet the requirements for the Illinois ESL/bilingual education approval for certified teachers. Workshops may be used as electives in a variety of NLU programs (such as the M.Ed. in ESL/BE). Please check with your advisor.

Detailed Description of ESL Workshops

Overview of Language (LANG 486A)

• morphology, semantics, syntax, and phonology of language

• structure of English

• ability to predict and address student difficulties in the language learning process

Second Language Acquisition (LANG 486D)

• framework for understanding second language acquisition

• current research on language learning

• analysis of major components of language and acquisition by second language learners

ESL Teaching Methodologies (LANG 486C)

• historical overview of ESL teaching methodologies

• examination and critique within context of cultural variables and learning styles

• demonstrations of current teaching techniques

• creation of mini-lessons in four skill areas

ESL Assessment (LANG 486B)

• adoption, adaptation, development of tests for ESL students

• review commercially-produced and teacher-constructed tests

• construction, administration, and scoring various types of language tests

1. Download the ESL Workshop Registration Form here.

2. Fill in your personal information and the course information for the class(es) you wish to register for. Please indicate if you are taking the workshops for credit or as a CEU student.

3. Submit the form.

• Email it to Lilian Santowski at lilian.santowski@nl.edu
• Mail it to National-Louis University, Lilian Santowski, Dept of Language Studies (3rd Floor), 122 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago IL, 60603
• Fax it to 312-261-3356
• Or register online (below)

Withdrawal from Workshops:

In order to officially withdraw from a workshop and obtain a refund, a student must do so in writing through the Registrar’s Office no later than the day before or the day following the workshop date. Please contact the Registrar Office at 312-261-3190 or see the 2008-2009 Catalog for more information.