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.
Questions can be directed to the ESL program supervisor: Charlene Byrd.
You will find the course schedule below. Please click on the course title to register.
Allegheny Intermediate Unit uses Canvas LMS to facilitate the online portion of the ESL courses. Registered participants will be notified of their Canvas login procedures 1-2 days prior to the start date of each course.
2024 - 2025 Schedule of ESL Certification Courses:
COURSE ONE: Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language
Registration is closed
Instructor: Ms. Mandy Mosko
Live classes via Zoom: June 24-27, 2024; daily 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and Monday, October 21, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due: October 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
COURSE TWO: Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
Registration is closed
Instructor: Dr. Gina DeMarco-Wall
Live classes via Zoom: July 15-18, 2024; daily 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and Monday, November 18, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due: November 11, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
COURSE THREE: Language Acquisition and Development
Registration is closed
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Lee Amodei
Live classes via Zoom: August 5-8, 2024; daily 8:00 am – 11:30 am and Monday, December 9, 2024; 5:00–8:30 pm
Online classwork due: December 2, 2024, at 11:59 pm
COURSE FOUR: Observing, Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction
Registration is closed
Instructor: Mrs. Margo Elliott
Live classes via Zoom: Monday, October 28, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m.,
Saturdays, November 2, 9, 16, 2024; 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., and Monday, January 27, 2025; 5:00–8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due: January 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
COURSE FIVE: Assessment and Support for English Language Learners
Instructor: Ms. Christine St. Clair
Live classes via Zoom: Monday, January 6, 2025; 5:00–8:30 p.m.,
Saturdays, January 11, 18, and 25, 2025; 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., and Monday, March 17, 2025; 5:00–8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due: March 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Required Text: Title: Assessing Multilingual Learners: Bridges to Empowerment, (3rd Edition). Author: Gottlieb, Margo. Corwin Press, ISBN: 978-10-71897270
COURSE SIX: English Language Learners, Families, Community, and Professionalism
Instructor: Jill Santa
Live classes via Zoom: Monday, February 17, 2025; 5:00–8:30 p.m., Saturdays,
February 22, March 1, and 8, 2025; 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., and Monday, April 14, 2025; 5:00–8:30 p.m.
Online classwork due: April 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Required Text: Title: Schoolwide Approaches to Educating ELLs [2011], Author: Soltero, Sonia W. ISBN: 978-0325029221