Professional Growth
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist Certification
Allegheny Intermediate Unit is pleased to offer a blended model for the 18-credit ESL Program Specialist certification program. This program will include live classes via Zoom, online classwork and field experience. The courses are taught by ESL professionals currently working in the field and supervised by the ESL program director. Attendance is mandatory for all live Zoom classes.
Each course is three credits and requires 10 hours of field experience per course. Participants in the program are encouraged to consider how they can work field experience hours into their current employment situation before beginning the program. The cost for each course is $499.
The ESL Program Specialist Certificate is an add-on certificate to another instructional certificate. Once your coursework has been completed, you must apply to PDE through TIMS to obtain the certificate.
The AIU’s ESL Program has partnered with Carlow University to offer a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in English as a Second Language. Carlow University will accept all 18 credits (six courses) of the ESL Specialist Certificate as transfer credit in the Master's program. This provides a cost-effective pathway to both ESL certification and a full Master's degree.
There will be an informational meeting held via Zoom on Tues., April 15, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Join via the link below.
Questions can be directed to Dr. Gina DeMarco Wall.
You will find the course schedule below. Please click on the course title to register. This link will also provide information for the required text for each course. Participants are expected to purchase the required text for a course before the start of the first class.
Allegheny Intermediate Unit uses Canvas LMS to facilitate the online portion of the ESL courses. Please make sure your device is compatible with Canvas. Registered participants will be notified of their Canvas login procedures 1-2 days prior to the start date of each course.
2025 - 2026 Schedule of ESL Certification Courses
COURSE 1: Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language
Instructor:
Mandy Mosko
Live classes via Zoom:
June 23-26, 2025, daily 8 – 11:30 a.m., and Mon., Oct. 20, 2025, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due:
Oct. 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
COURSE 2: Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
Instructor:
Dr. Gina DeMarco-Wall
Live classes via Zoom:
July 14-17, 2025, daily 8 – 11:30 a.m. and Mon., Nov. 17, 2025, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due:
Nov. 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
COURSE 3: Language Acquisition and Development
Instructor:
Dr. Michelle Lee Amodei
Live classes via Zoom:
Aug. 11-14, 2025, daily 8 – 11:30 a.m. and Mon., Dec. 8, 2025, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due:
Dec. 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
COURSE 4: Observing, Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction
Instructor:
Margo Elliott
Live classes via Zoom:
Mon., Nov. 3, 2025, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Nov. 8, 15, and 22, 2025, 8 – 11:30 a.m., and Mon., Jan. 26, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due:
Jan. 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
*NOTE: For Courses 5 and 6, carefully review the dates for these sessions! Due to instructor availability, Class 6 is offered BEFORE Class 5 *
COURSE 5: Assessment and Support for English Language Learners
Instructor:
Christine St. Clair
Live classes via Zoom:
Mon., Feb. 23, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m.,
Saturdays, Feb. 28 and March 7 and 14, 2026, 8 – 11:30 a.m., and Mon., April 20, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due:
April 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
COURSE 6: English Language Learners, Families, Community, and Professionalism
Instructor:
Jill Santa
Live classes via Zoom:
Mon., Jan. 5, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Jan. 10, 17, and 24, 2026, 8 – 11:30 a.m., and Mon., March 16, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due:
March 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.