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If you are curious about the world, the growing number of English Language Learners in your classroom represents a tremendous opportunity to connect with students from all over the planet as well as acquire skills that will help you differentiate lessons for both your ELL and domestic students.
The graduate English as a Second Language certificate at UW is a 15-credit at-a-distance/on campus program that allows you to earn an ESL certificate, whether you are a preservice or in-service teacher—or in another field where ESL skills might prove useful such as speech pathology.
The certificate program can lead to K-12 ESL Endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board to add to you elementary or secondary teaching license. This additional credential will expand your marketability as an educator who is an expert in ESL teaching and learning. Undergraduate students can take these courses as electives to add the endorsement to their future teaching license.
About English as a Second Language
As a UW English as a Second Language student, you will learn about cultural differences, the theories behind second language acquisition and methods for teaching ESL while also gaining first-hand experience observing and teaching ESL lessons. The program culminates with an internship that will give you experience working with ESL learners in PK-12 classrooms and adult learning settings. Read our FAQ if you have questions.
Students report that not only does the ESL graduate certificate program provide them with skills they can use to help all their students, it also generates additional job opportunities because of the growing need for ESL teachers in classrooms nationwide.
Here are some reasons to choose the University of Wyoming for your ESL endorsement:
Accredited. The UW College of Education is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). UW is also a member of TESOL, the largest professional organization for teachers of English as a second or foreign language.
Faculty. Learn from expert ESL teacher trainers, who have PK-12 teaching experience. UW’s ESL program coordinator brings personal experience to her position; she is an English language learner, too.
Flexibility. Complete the ESL graduate certificate program entirely online or through weekend intensive classes at the UW Laramie campus. Twelve credit hours of your ESL program can also be applied to a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. This leaves only 18 hours to complete the master’s. (Note: If you take the endorsement at the undergraduate level, six credits will be considered graduate credit hours.)
ESL Experience. Gain exposure to teaching in an ESL classroom to gain confidence and demonstrate your compentency during your practicum experience.
Graduate Credit. Licensed teachers can take this certificate program to expand their skills and increase their marketability in the short-term while applying courses towards a future master's degree in education.
University of Wyoming International Program. Work with international students attending UW one-on-one helping them learn English and adjust to new cultural environment.
Internship. Complete an internship in which you will observe K-12 classrooms with ESL students and teach lessons in those classrooms.
UW Literacy Research Center and Clinic. Participate in the work of UW’s Literacy Research Center and Clinic. The center provides professional development for current teachers, practical experiences for pre-service teachers as well as a hub for scholarship by graduate students, faculty and visiting scholars.
UW conferences. Participate in UW’s annual state conferences focusing on English as a second language, dual language immersion, literacy, education law and education policy to gain exposure to the latest research and best practices in these areas. You can even present your own research!
Travel grants. Apply for travel support to cover some travel costs associated with attending or presenting at professional conferences.
Scholarships. Help fund your doctorate with a College of Education graduate scholarship. Here are some possible options:
The UW post-baccalaureate ESL certificate offers preparation to teach English as a Second Language in PK-12 and adult educational environments.
ESL Careers
UW ESL graduates can hold titles such as:
“I would encourage anyone and everyone to get out there and take the ESL endorsement. It’s beneficial for mainstream teachers and ESL teachers to have strategies and methods to bring into your classroom to best suit the needs of all your students.”
– Shelby Jorgenson, B.S. ´15
These are just some of the classes you might take as an ESL student at the University of Wyoming:
View the full graduate certificate in ESL program curriculum.
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