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.

2023 - 2024 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 26-29, 2023; daily 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and Monday, October 16, 2023; 5:00–8:30 p.m.

Online classwork due: October 9, 2023 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 17-20, 2023; daily 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and Monday, November 13, 2023; 5:00–8:30 p.m.

Online classwork due: November 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

COURSE THREE: Language Acquistion and Development - registration is closed.  

Instructor:  Dr. Michelle Lee Amodei

Live classes via Zoom: August 7-10, 2023; daily 8:00 am – 11:30 am and Monday, December 4, 2023; 5:00–8:30 pm

Online classwork due: November 27, 2023 at 11:59 pm

COURSE FOUR: Observing, Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction- now accepting registrations  

Instructor: Mrs. Margo Elliott

Live classes via Zoom: Monday, October 30, 2023; 5:00–8:30 p.m.,

Saturdays, November 4, 11, 18, 2023; 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., and Monday, January 29, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m.

Online classwork due: January 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

COURSE FIVE: Assessment and Support for English Language Learners - now accepting registrations  

Instructor: Ms. Christine St. Clair

Live classes via Zoom: Wednesday, January 3, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m.,

Saturdays, January 6, 13, and 20, 2024; 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., and Monday, March 18, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m.

Online classwork due: March 11, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

COURSE SIX: English Language Learners, Families, Community, and Professionalism - now accepting registrations  

Instructor: Ms. Suzanne Unger

Live classes via Zoom: Tuesday, February 20, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m., Saturdays,

February 24, March 2, and 9, 2024; 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., and Monday, April 15, 2024; 5:00–8:30 p.m.

Online classwork due: April 8, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.