English as a Second Language (Supplemental Certificate)

ESL certification qualifies educators to teach English as a Second Language in classrooms around the country or across the world. Currently, about 1 in 6 students in Texas public schools is an ELL. Across the United States, 41% of teachers have ELLs in their classrooms and projections indicate that by 2025, 1 in 4 US students will be an English language learner. There is a nationwide shortage of teacher prepared to serve this growing population of children.

At ACU we make sure that our students are prepared for today’s diverse classrooms. All of our Early Childhood/Elementary students are certified in English as a Second Language (ESL), and the English as a Second Language Supplement can be added to all middle school, high school and all-level certifications. These certifications prepare graduates to support linguistically diverse students in learning English while also teaching them what they need to know in all of their school subjects. In addition, it opens doors for our graduates to teach in international settings – living the mission both in the U.S. and abroad.

You don't have to know the child's primary language to teach English as a Second Language. Our ESL program gives you the foundation and strategies to integrate students into an English-speaking classroom. You also will be provided with hands-on experiences, such as the opportunity to teach ESL in Beijing, China with other ACU Education majors during a summer abroad.

For more information on this certification, or for questions concerning transfer credit, AP credit or CLEP credit, contact Francille Vesel, degree plan specialist, at veself@acu.edu or (325) 674-2128.

English as a Second Language Supplement

Degree Plans and Sample Schedules

Course Descriptions