Welcome ….

1. Welcome ….

2. Information Session ESL Teacher Preparation Grants Pre-Service and In-Service Center for Language and Culture Graduate School of Education George Mason University

3. Goal The goal of the ESL Teacher Preparation Grants is to help candidates obtain a Virginia license to teach English as a Second Language (PK-12), and to assume teaching positions as quickly as possible.

4. Two Separate ESL Programs • There are two separate ESL programs that are supported by federal grants. The first, called PRE-SERVICE, is intended for candidates who have never taught or who have provisional licenses. • The IN-SERVICE program is for teachers who have licenses in fields other than ESL. • Both programs require the completion of seven courses for licensure, five of which are the same. The Pre-Service program includes an internship.

5. Cohorts The pre-service and in-service cohorts complete the curriculum together, taking all classes and participating in all activities. Participants are allowed to transfer one course into the program.

6. Both cohorts begin each Spring semester. PRE-SERVICE is designed for students who do not have a teaching license. IN-SERVICE is designed for teaching professionals who seek an additional license to teach English as a Second Language.

7. Licensure Component • Participants complete seven courses (21 semester credits) of course work for licensure. Pre- service candidates must also complete a 6-credit internship (student teaching). In-service candidates receive their ESL endorsement upon completion of the seven courses. While only the licensure component is tuition-supported, participants can take additional coursework for a masters degree. • All candidates must complete six credits of foreign language (can be taken prior to the program).

8. Admission Requirements Each cohort will comprise approx. 15 participants. To be accepted, candidates must have the following: • A bachelor’s degree with a “B” average in the last 60 hours of study. • 3 satisfactory recommendations • Goal Statement (commitment to teach ESL ASAP) • English Proficiency (assessed by GMU) • *Praxis I scores

9. ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE FOR THE PRAXIS I TEST • Effective March 24, 2004, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is an accepted alternative to the PRAXIS I (reading, writing, and math) requirement for teacher licensure. • Please note that the SAT will not fulfill the VDOE PRAXIS II subject area requirement. • You must at least meet the total score and meet or exceed the minimum component scores listed below, based on test date.

10. ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE FOR THE PRAXIS I TEST(Continued)

11. Admission Requirements (con’t) • International Students: • Must have all transcripts and degrees formally translated and evaluated. • Must score at least 600 (250 computer) on TOEFL. • Must pass GMU English Proficiency Assessment with score of “4” in oral and written tests.

12. Once admitted, students will have the tuition* for their licensure courses paid by two grants from the U.S. Dept. of Education. The grants are tentatively funded for five years, from 02-07. *Unfortunately, the grants cannot pay for books. Funding

13. The Programs at a Glance…..

14. Spring I EDUC 537 Foundations of Multicultural Education Summer I EDCI 516 Bilingualism and Lang Acquisition Research EDCI 519 Methods of Teaching in Bil/ESL Settings EDRD 615 Teaching Reading/Writing in Bil/ESL Settings Fall I EDCI 520 Assessment in Bil/ESL Settings Spring II LING 520 Descriptive Linguistics Summer II EDUC 539 Human Growth and Development Pre-Service Curriculum

15. Field Work - Pre-Service • In addition to coursework, the project will place you in a school with a mentor (a veteran ESL teacher) for one to two days per week during the Spring semester.

16. Internship Options – Pre-Service An internship experience is required for licensure for pre-service cohort members. Two options are available to meet the needs of most individuals: Student Teaching Internship. One-term daytime internship in the classroom of a cooperating teacher. Intern assumes co-teaching/independent teaching responsibilities. One-year Teaching Experience This option is available only to participants who are employed as full-time, provisionally licensed ESL teachers.

17. Spring I - EDUC 537 Fdns of Multicultural Ed Summer I - EDCI 516 Bilingualism and Lang Acquisition Research - EDCI 519 Meth. Tchg in Bil/ESL Settings - EDRD 615 Tchg Reading/Writing in Bil/ESL Settings Fall I - EDCI 520 Assessment in Bil/ESL Settings Spring II - LING 520 Descriptive Linguistics Summer II - EDCI 521 Curriculum. Dev in Bil/ESL Settings In-Service Curriculum

18. Field Work - In-Service In addition to coursework, in-service participants conduct action research projects. The projects focus on challenges within their own classroom or school.

19. Initial ESL Teaching – In-Service • In-service teachers are encouraged to begin teaching ESL as soon as possible. However, the project realizes that a change of positions may not be immediately feasible. • If employed as an ESL teacher during the life of the grants (02-07), participants will receive mentoring from GMU during first year in the classroom.

20. Additional Information…. • Courses for M.Ed. • Summer schedule • Location of classes • Praxis Tests • Application and admissions schedule • Contact information

21. Additional Courses for Optional M.Ed. for Pre-Service Students (15 credits) • EDRS 590 Education Research • EDCI 521 Curriculum Development in Bilingual/ESL Settings • EDCI 777 Research to Practice (exit requirement) Not tuition supported

22. Additional Courses for Optional M.Ed. for In-Service Students (9 credits) • EDRS 590 Education Research • Elective • EDCI 777 Research to Practice (exit requirement) Not tuition supported

23. Summer Schedule Summer courses are offered over a six week period, approximately, July 5 -Aug 12 full time (every day - 9:00-1:30pm M-F). Each class will last for two weeks.

24. Project Location All courses will be offered at the Arlington GMU campus, at 3401 N. Fairfax Drive. (VA Square/GMU stop on Metro Orange Line)

25. Praxis Tests • Passing scores for Praxis I tests are required for licensure. Passing scores for Praxis I are: - reading/178 - writing/176 - mathematics/178 - or combined score of:532 • At present, the Praxis II (subject assessment) test is not required for ESL licensure in Virginia. However, if implemented while candidates are still in the program, they will need to satisfy this requirement.

26. Praxis I Test (continued) How to Register:Praxis I (reading, writing, and mathematics) tests are offered in paper format and computer format. Register for the paper format at www.ets.org/praxis. Test scores for the paper format are mailed in six to eight weeks. Register for the computer format by calling Mason's testing center at (703) 993-2390, or Prometric Candidate Services at (800) 853-6773. Test scores for the computer format are mailed in three to four weeks. For a $20 fee, computer format scores are available by phone in 10-15 working days. Praxis I Test PreparationGeorge Mason offers "Learning Plus," a diagnostic computer tutorial to help applicants prepare for the Praxis I reading, writing, and mathematics tests. For a $20 fee, up to 100 hours of practice and instruction are available on campus in the Learning Services Office. Call (703) 993-2999 for more information.

27. Application and Admissions Schedule • 1. August 20-Sept 5 (approx): Information Session • 2. October 1: Application deadline • 3. November: Candidates notified of acceptance • 4. Third week of January: Project orientation and initiation

28. Please visit our Web Site…… • http://gse.gmu.edu/grants/esolprep

29. Contact Us: Sherry Steeley Project Asst./Adjunct Faculty Pre-Service Cohort E-mail: ssteeley@gmu.edu Katie Parrish Project Asst/Adjunct Faculty In-Service Cohort E-mail: kparrish@gmu.edu

30. George Mason University Thank for your interest in …….