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College of Education

Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy

238 Bluemont Hall
785-532-2125

Dr. Socorro Herrera
Executive Director

Dr. Kevin Murry
Director of Research

Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy

@cimakstate on Facebook
@CIMAKSTATE on Twitter

Dr. Socorro Herrera
Executive Director
785-532-3833
sococo@k-state.edu

Dr. Kevin Murry
Director of Research and Development
785-532-2842
xmas@k-state.edu

ESL Courses

Welcome to the CLASSIC© ESL Program housed in the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy (CIMA) at Kansas State University. Teachers’ capacity building at CIMA for classroom diversity is grounded in the CLASSIC© Model (1996). The CLASSIC (Critically reflective, Lifelong Advocacy for Second language learners, Site-specific, Innovation, and Cross-cultural competency) model is an evidence-based, standards-driven endorsement sequence (TESOL, NCATE & Kansas State Standards). In brief, eight universities and 100 school districts in eight states have utilized this model for capacity building among teachers of English language learners (Herrera, Morales, Holmes, & Terry, 2011; Holmes, Fanning, Morales, Espinosa, & Herrera, 2012; Penner-Williams, Perez, Worthen, Herrera, & Murry, 2010).

Kansas State University’s accredited and nationally recognized CLASSIC© ESL program is a participant-centered design (Murry & Herrera, 1999) and is the core of the five ESL Endorsement courses offered through CIMA.

Courses Offered through CIMA

This innovative approach to ESL Endorsement grounded within the CLASSIC© frameworkhas increased and upgraded the professional capacities of educators in the state of Kansas and beyond to meet the multidimensional needs of diverse learners. CIMA strives for excellence in partnerships with school districts across Kansas and nationally as we continue to provide high caliber professional development courses.

EDCI 720 – ESL/Dual Language Methods

This course provides the foundation of learning upon which all other courses are based. ESL/Dual Language Methods engages participants in a theoretical and practical application of contemporary instructional approaches, methods, strategies, and techniques that have proven effective for English language learners. Through hands-on application and exploration, participants practice and assess the effectiveness of multiple instructional approaches to meet the site-specific needs of their student populations.

EDCI 731 – ESL/Dual Language Linguistics

The ESL/Dual Language Linguistics course explores the theoretical underpinnings of language acquisition and linguistics that educators need to understand, in order to better plan appropriately adapted curriculum and instruction for second language learners. Through a critical analysis of the stages of second language acquisition and the transfer of the native language to the second language, participants also learn to recognize the linguistic needs of their English language learners as they engage in academic tasks. The course encompasses problematic aspects of English language learning, the ways in which languages may differ, and certain universal aspects of languages.

EDCI 740 – Culture and Language in Classroom Practice

Culture & Language in Classroom Practice engages participants in a cross-cultural examination of interpersonal and interpersonal issues related to cultural diversity through a critical examination of social justice issues. Participants also examine the ways they can address diversity in their classrooms with attention to issues such as critical reflection on practice; effective collaboration with families; diversification of the learning environment; use and adaptation of the grade-level curriculum; the differentiation of classroom instruction for cultural and linguistic diversity; and advocacy skill development. At the heart of this course is the empowerment of both educators and families to create a community in which all voices are heard and celebrated.

EDCI 742– ESL/Dual Language Assessment

ESL/Dual Language Assessment explores the multi-dimensional aspects of pre and post assessment. Both formal and informal assessment tools are examined and applied in classroom settings. Participants also learn strategies which target outcome-based assessment tools as called for in No Child Left Behind. This course empowers participants to engage in critical reflection, articulation of new knowledge and theory-into-practice applications.

EDCI 745 (Elementary) or
EDCI 746 (Secondary) – ESL/Dual Language Practicum

The ESL/Dual Language Practicum engages participants in a portfolio-based experience providing the student with application opportunities in ESL/Dual language methods, assessment, and multicultural competence as well as the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of second language acquisition. Within their individual portfolios, participants engage in critical reflection on their own transformation as educators. This transformation is evidenced in the writing of a personal platform statement, collection of concrete examples in practice with links to the Center for Research on Education Diversity and Excellence (CREDE) Standards Performance Continuum and the Center for Equity and Excellence in Education (CEEE) Guiding Principles.

ESL Endorsement for Licensure

The ESL Endorsement for Licensure courses are available online. The state of Kansas requires five semester-long courses totaling 15 credit hours. Students enroll in one course per semester. Each course is offered for three hours of graduate or undergraduate credit.

The required courses are:

  • EDCI 720 ESL/Dual Language Methods
  • EDCI 742 ESL/Dual Language Assessment
  • EDCI 731 ESL/Dual Language Linguistics
  • EDCI 740 Culture and Language in Classroom Practice
  • EDCI 745 (Elementary) and EDCI 746 (Secondary) ESL/Dual Language Practicum

*Please note: The State of Kansas will attach an endorsement only to an existing teaching certificate approved in Kansas. Endorsement in many states, including Kansas, also requires a passing score on a Praxis exam.