This course focuses on the nature of physi­cal, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral development from birth through adoles­cence with implications for learning and teaching; major orientations in the study of child development, including Vygotsky and the neo-Vygotskian theories of child devel­opment and learning; periods of child de­velopment from birth through adolescence seen in a socio-cultural context, with impli­cations for learning and teaching; integra­tion of theory and research findings from the fields of developmental and educational psychology; and exploration of multicul­tural contexts for growth, development, and learning with diverse student populations. Students are also exposed to evidence-based methods of instruction and critically exam­ine the idea that instruction should be evi­dence-based.

This course provides an understanding of literacy issues specific to English language learners, as well as strategies and tech­niques for teaching reading and writing to these students. Key concepts include: the relationship between first language liter­acy and L2 literacy development; stan­dards-based reading and writing instruction; principles of phonics, struc­tural analysis and sight words; process writing; and the incorporation of technol­ogy. Includes 5 hours of field work.

This comprehensive course builds upon the foundation of curriculum development and classroom management in the context of teaching English language learners. Expanding its horizons to embrace the digital age, the course adeptly weaves innovative technology integration into the domain of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Crafted to empower prospective TESOL/BLE educators, the course hones in on fostering competence in designing, implementing, assessing, and reflecting within diverse language learning environments, all while capitalizing on the potentials of cutting-edge technology. With a strong focus on practical application and discerning appraisal of technological tools, this course primes upcoming educators to excel amidst the ever-evolving educational landscape.\nIncludes 10 hours of field work.

This course identifies and analyzes current trends and issues in second language ac­quisition and their impact on English lan­guage learners. A central focus will be research on specific topics in second lan­guage acquisition and bilingualism (e.g., brain research, error correction, role of L1, etc.). Students will become familiar with current instructional strategies as well as methods for professional staff and com­munity resource collaboration in building second language acquisition and respect for cultural diversity in today’s society. Stu­dents will engage in a case study research project in a particular area of interest. In­cludes 5 hours of field work.