English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement

English Language Learner (ELL) Endorsement

More than just tips and tricks in the classroom, the K12 English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement, also known as English Language Learners (ELL) endorsement, at UW Bothell will provide you with the opportunity to understand, teach, and assess the students in your classroom who come from homes where English is not the primary language. Through coursework, you will learn about language acquisition, theories of teaching and learning, ESOL curriculum, historical and political contexts, and learn from an experienced teacher in a practicum experience.

The program began with the creation of guiding principles for working with ESOL students developed by a team of faculty and staff at UW Bothell. With these principles in mind, the program curriculum was designed to prepare both pre-service and current teachers to enhance their work with ESOL students in their classrooms or to become an ESOL specialist.

Earn the ESOL endorsement through these programs:

• Educational Studies: Elementary Education Option – students must complete the requirements for a supporting endorsement
• Master of Education – ESOL concentration

This endorsement is connected to degree programs. A non-matriculated, ELL endorsement-only option is not currently available.

Endorsement Requirements

Coursework Requirement (20 credits)

• B EDUC 441/541 Second Language Acquisition, Bilingual Education, and the Structure of English (20 hours of Community-Engaged Learning and Research required)
• B EDUC 442/542 Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment in ESOL
• B EDUC 443/543 Practicum in ESOL
• B EDUC 444/544 Leadership and Program Level Assessment in ESOL

Additional Course Requirements

• Courses must be taken in sequence
• Grades of 2.0 GPA or higher are required in all ESOL coursework

Practicum Experience Requirement (100 hours)

ESOL candidates are required to complete a 100-hour practicum in an ESOL classroom, mentored by a practicing teacher.

Practicum Details

• Candidates will be in their ESOL classroom placement approximately 2-3* days a week for a total of 10 weeks (not including district spring break week) during the UW quarter.
  • *Number and days of the week may be determined by a candidate’s assigned mentor teacher schedule. Mentor teachers will work closely with the placement coordinator to arrange a schedule to meet this requirement.
• Practicum will consist of a minimum of 100 hours spread across the UW quarter.
• Placement will be in a public school classroom identified by the School of Educational Studies placement coordinator.
• Students will be mentored by a cooperating/mentor teacher and supervised by a university field instructor

Content Test Requirement

To be recommended for the ESOL endorsement, students are required pass the Washington Educator Skills Test (WEST-E) English Language Learner test (051).

This test is required by the State of Washington and is designed to measure knowledge of specific English Language Learner content .

Students are requested to take the WEST-E 051 during their practicum term.

What Teaching Positions Can I Pursue with the ESOL Endorsement?

With the ESOL endorsement added to your residency certificate, students can pursue ESOL-only teaching positions (such as a “pull-out” and/or “push-in” services teacher), or general education teaching positions (traditional or ESOL-inclusion classroom situations).

Candidates with the ESOL endorsement are highly qualified and, due to the shortage of ESOL-endorsed teachers in Washington State, they will be sought after whether or not they accept an ESOL-only teaching position.