Teaching English Language Learners Across the Lifespan

Multidisciplinary Studies Curriculum and Course Outline

Core 1 - Educational Foundations for Linguistically Diverse Students (18 credit hours):

• EDFN 211 Foundations of Modern Education
• EDFN 241 Psychological Foundations of Teaching
• EDSE 321 Issues in Secondary Education
• ENGL 460 Teaching ESL Listening & Speaking
• ENGL 463 Applied Linguistics
• ENGL 464 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Core 2 - Psychological Considerations for Multilingual Youth (18 credit hours):

• PSYC 100 General Psychology
• PSYC 227 Development of Child and Adolescent
• PSYC 317 Social Psychology
• PSYC 337 Abnormal Psychology
• PSYC 346 Behavior Modification
• PSYC 427 Childhood Disorders

Capstone (3-12 credit hours):

• EDFN 300 Internship in Educational Setting

Related Elective Courses (9 credit hours):

• ANTH 121 Cultural Anthropology
• SOCY 101 Introduction to Sociology
• SOCY 308 Sociology of African American and Latino/a Education

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CORE 1:

EDFN 211 (3 cr.) Foundations of Modern Education:  This course provides an analysis of the philosophical, anthropological, sociological, economic, historical foundations for the contemporary PreK-12 school system in the United States; more specifically how issues of race, ethnicity, language, gender, disability, sexual-orientation, geography, socioeconomics, and religion influence the profession of teaching in particular grade level contexts. The content for each section will be focused on the respective program area of the candidates (Pre-K grades, 4-8 grades, and 7-12 grades). The course addresses the PA Dept. of Education’s sociocultural standards for English-language learners. Must be taken simultaneously with EDFN 241. Includes field experience, which requires submission of satisfactory FBI, Act 34/151 clearances for eligibility for field placement.  

EDFN 241 (3 cr.) Psychological Foundations of Teaching:  Teaching and learning through the application of psychology to the activities of the classroom. Learning theory and practice, human growth and development, motivation, classroom management, evaluation, and principles of effective instruction. Must be taken simultaneously with EDFN 211. Includes field experience, which requires submission of satisfactory FBI, Act 34/151 clearances for eligibility for field placement.

EDSE 321 (3 cr.) Issues in Secondary Education:  Examines the role of the secondary teacher, issues encountered in the classroom and classroom interactions. Includes field experiences. Offered Fall/Spring. Prereq: EDFN 211, 241. Admission to Advanced Professional Studies. Must be taken simultaneously with professional block. Professional block field experience includes approximately 150 hours in schools.

ENGL 460 (3 cr.) Teaching ESL Listening and Speaking:  Exploration of the nature of spoken English and current approaches to the teaching of ESL listening speaking skills. Presents effective techniques and ideas for teaching ESL listening and speaking, and to integrating listening and speaking with other language skills. Offered fall, even years. Prereq: ENGL 110.

ENGL 463 (3 cr.) Applied Linguistics:  Application of linguistic theory to selected problems of language teaching and research. Offered spring, odd years. Prereq: ENGL 110 and one course in linguistics or permission of instructor.

ENGL 464 (3 cr.) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages:  Approaches methods and techniques appropriate to teaching standard English to speakers of other languages. Includes international tutoring opportunities. Offered Fall, odd years. Prereq: ENGL 110 or permission of instructor.

CORE 2:

PSYC 100 (3 cr.) General Psychology:  An introduction to the study of behavior and mental activity, including such aspects as motivation, emotions, sensation, and perception; individual differences; the nervous system; learning and personality with a view of understanding behavior.

PYSC 227 (3 cr.) Development of the Child and Adolescent:  A study of the theory and research pertaining to the growth, development, and behavior of children through adolescence. Prereq: PSYC 100. No credit given if earned for PSYC 228.

PSYC 317 (3 cr.) Social Psychology:  A review of the principles of social psychology derived from experiential study. Offered annually. Prereq: PSYC 100, PSYC 211 recommended.

PSYC 337 (3 cr.) Abnormal Psychology:  A comprehensive study of the etiology, characteristics, and treatment in the categories of abnormal behavior manifestation. Offered Fall, Spring. Prereq: ENGL 110 and PSYC 100.

PSYC 346 (3 cr.) Behavior Modification:  An examination of theory, research, and techniques related to the modification of behavior, with special emphasis placed on the application of behavior modification procedures in a variety of settings (e.g., family, school, and industry). Offered Fall, Spring. Prereq: PSYC 100.

PSYC 427 (3 cr.) Childhood Disorders:  An in-depth look at major childhood psychological disorders. Diagnostic criteria, etiology, and developmental progression presented. Introduction to diagnostic assessment techniques and commonly used interventions. Offered annually. Prereq: PSYC 100 and PSYCH 227 or 228, junior or senior standing.

 
RELATED ELECTIVES:

ANTH 121 (3 cr.) Cultural Anthropology:  Introduces basic concepts and topics: culture, fieldwork, communication, sex roles, social organization, politics, economics, belief systems, culture change and applied anthropology.

SOCI 210 (3 cr.) Sociology of the Family:  The family as a social institution. Topics include the family in mass society, diverse family forms, human sexuality, typologies of love, mate selection, husband-wife interaction, parent-child interaction, family disorganization, and American ethnic families. Specific topics may vary.

SOCI 308 (3 cr.) Sociology of African American and Latino/a Education:  Social and Historical analysis of the secondary and post-secondary experiences of African American and Latino/a you in the United States, informed by critical race, feminist, and stratification theories. Offered periodically. Prereq: SOCI 101 or LAAS 201.

CAPSTONE:

EDFN 300 (3-12 cr.) Internship in Educational Setting (225 hours)