ESL Certification Program

  • The AIU is pleased to offer a blended model for the 18 credit ESL certification program. This program will include online classwork, face-to-face class meetings and field experience. The courses are taught by ESL professionals currently working in the field and supervised by the ESL program director.

    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 typically an add-on certificate to Elementary K-6, English 7-12, or Reading Specialist K-12. Teachers providing ESL instruction must be both certified and highly qualified for the grade levels that they teach. Participants in this program are responsible for reviewing their individual certification with PDE directly. This program is a PDE approved pathway to ESL certification; however, for highly qualified status outside of the three certifications listed above, the participant must confer with PDE directly for an individual review of their case.

    Questions can be directed to the ESL Coordinator, Gina DeMarco Wall at gina.demarcowall@aiu3.net

    Please find the course schedule below and click on the course title to register. 

    Questions regarding CPE and registering with Frontline? Click here for frequently asked questions

    2019-2020 ESL Certification Course Calendar

    Each summer course will consist of:

    • 10 hours of field experience
    • 17.50 hours of face-to-face classroom instruction (one week)
    • 15 hours in the online classroom
    • 1 evening class of 2.5 hours


    COURSE ONE:  Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language - registration will open March 1, 2019

    • Instructors: Charlene Byrd and Gina Oliphant
    • In person classes: June 24-28, 2019; daily 8:00 am – 11:30 am
    • Evening class: October 22, 2019; 5:30-8:00 pm
    • Online classwork due: October 13, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

    COURSE TWO: Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity - registration will open March 1, 2019

    • Instructor: NancyJean Morrison
    • In person classes: July 15-19, 2019; daily 8:00 am – 11:30 am
    • Evening class: November 12, 2019; 5:30 -8:00 pm
    • Online classwork due: October 25, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

    COURSE THREE: Language Acquisition and Development - registration will open March 1, 2019

    • Instructor:  Dr. Kimberly Huster
    • In person classes: July 29- August 2, 2019; 8:00 am – 11:30 am
    • Evening class: December 9, 2019; 5:30 -8:00 pm
    • Online classwork due: November 26, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

    COURSE FOUR: Observing, Planning, Implementing and Managing Instruction- registration will open March 1, 2019

    • Instructor: Margo Machuga
    • Opening class: October 28, 2019; 5:30 – 8:00 pm 
    • Saturday classes:  November 2, 9, and 16, 2019 8:00 – 11:30 am
    • Closing class: February  3, 2020; 5:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Online classwork due: January 19, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

    COURSE FIVE: ESL Assessment and Support - registration will open March 1, 2019

    • Instructor: Christine St. Clair
    • Opening class: January 6, 2020; 5:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Saturday classes:  January 11, 18, and 25, 2020; 8:00 – 11:30 am
    • Closing class: March 23, 2020; 5:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Online classwork due: March 16, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

    COURSE SIX: English Language Learners, Families, Community and Professionalism - registration will open March 1, 2019

    • Instructor: Suzanne Unger
    • Opening class: February 24, 2020; 5:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Saturday classes:  February 29, March 7, and 14, 2020; 8:00 – 11:30 am
    • Closing class: April 20, 2020; 5:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Online classwork due: April 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm


    Final ESL course for the 2018-2019 term:

    COURSE SIX: English Language Learners, Families, Community and Professionalism - registration deadline is February 20, 2019

    • Instructor: Suzanne Unger
    • Opening class: February 25, 2019; 5:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Saturday classes:  March 2, 9, and 16, 2019; 8:00 – 11:30 am
    • Closing class: April 15, 2019; 5:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Online classwork due: April 8, 2019 at 11:59 pm