Apparently, Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is offering a high-quality educator training program called the Institute of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for licensed K-12 educators. More than 20 educators are participating in the first phase of the program from June 5 to June 10, 2023.
The ATU ESOL Institute is designed to equip educators with effective knowledge and skills to teach a growing population of English language learners in their classrooms. The program is led by Dr. Chih-Hsin Hsu, an assistant professor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and Dr. Ursula Chandler, a Professor of German at ATU.
The six-day face-to-face portion of the institute covers four ATU graduate courses: Second Language Acquisition (TESL 5023), Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL 5703), ESL Assessment (TESL 5713), and Teaching other cultures (TESL 5723). Participants who complete the ten-day training and assignments through four online courses will earn participants 12 hours of graduate credit and receive the ESL endorsement upon successful completion of the institute.
The grant from the Arkansas Department of Education covers the full cost of tuition, materials, and one attempt at the Praxis 5362 exam for each participant. After completing the face-to-face portion, participants will continue their study by participating in four online training sessions during the academic year.
Arkansas has seen an increase in its non-English speaking student population over recent years. According to data from Migration Policy Institute, Arkansas has experienced a growth rate in its Limited English Proficient population that exceeds national averages since 2000.
The importance of programs like ATU’s ESOL Institute cannot be overstated as they prepare teachers to better serve students with limited English proficiency while also promoting cultural awareness and understanding among all students. With this initiative, Arkansas Tech University is taking a step in the right direction towards providing equal educational opportunities for all students.
The acme, the ATU ESOL Institute is an excellent opportunity for educators to improve their teaching skills and provide better education for non-English speaking students. The program’s structure and content are designed to equip participants with effective knowledge and skills to teach English language learners effectively. Programs like this are essential in promoting cultural awareness and understanding among all students while ensuring that every student has access to quality education.