About ESOL in Higher Education

What We Do

For nearly 10% of U.S. students (approximately 5 million) a language and/or cultural barrier often challenges their abilities to attain English proficiency and acquire the academic content that all students are expected to meet in the K-12 classroom. ESOL in Higher Ed was created to provide all educators, including teacher candidates, resources to effectively teach students from diverse cultural backgrounds and at varying English proficiency levels.

what-we-do-image

ESOL in Higher Ed advocates for teachers who advocate for ELs. Great teachers know how to use their knowledge and skills to their fullest potential.

Jane Govoni, Ph.D.

Jane Govoni, PH.D.Meet Jane Govoni, founder of ESOL in Higher Education. Jane holds a PhD with a focus in Second Language Acquisition from the University of South Florida and an MA in Spanish from Boston College. Jane began her career as a middle and high school Spanish teacher. Then, as a tenured professor at Saint Leo University in Florida, she designed and taught ESOL courses for pre-service teacher candidates. With vast experience in foreign language and ESOL education, Jane has the knowledge and skills to provide expertise in integrating ESOL standards into undergraduate and graduate teacher programs. She continues to work closely with the Florida Department of Education in supporting the ESOL Endorsement for K-12 teachers and is a reviewer for CAEP/TESOL program accreditation. In addition, Jane is the executive secretary for the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators (SRATE).

What does the acronym ESOL mean?

There are a variety of definitions to characterize students whose primary language is not English, but who are learning English. These include limited English proficiency (LEP), a student for whom English is a second language (ESL), and a second-language learner (SLL). Other terms include non-English proficient (NEP), potentially English proficient (PEP), students acquiring English (SAE), and English as a new language (ENL). In addition, English language development (ELD) and culturally and linguistically diverse students (CLD) are terms used in the field. The most current is that of English learner (EL). However, since 2010 English language learner (ELL) is the term used in Florida to identify a student whose first language is not English.

How did the ESOL endorsement requirement originate in Florida?

In 1990, a lawsuit was filed against the state of Florida by a united group of organizations for failure to make accommodations in instruction to ensure the academic success of all English learners (ELs). The resultant mandate, the Consent Decree (also referred to as the META Agreement), requires ESOL training for PreK-12 teachers. In 2003, an addendum to the Consent Decree increased ESOL training hours for administrators, guidance counselors, social workers, and educators passing the ESOL subject area test. The requirement for the ESOL Endorsement for institutions of higher education began for graduates in Spring 2004. Originally, the 25 ESOL Standards and ESOL Competencies and Skills were either infused in teacher education programs or teacher candidates enrolled in five ESOL stand-alone courses. In Fall 2006, the ESOL Competencies (11th Edition of Competencies and Skills) were cross-walked with the 25 ESOL Performance Standards. In August 2009, the ESOL Standards were reviewed and by March 2010 the Florida Teacher Standards for ESOL Endorsement were presented for approval by the Florida Department of Education. The ESOL Standards reflect the national TESOL Standards. Currently, the 17th edition of the ESOL Competencies and Skills is available by the FLDOE. See the Florida Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition (SALA) website for further information regarding district training, legal documents, assessments for ELs.

What is the difference between a subject area certificate and an Endorsement in Florida?

A subject area certification or coverage is defined as the area in which a teacher candidate has a content knowledge base, such as exceptional education, early childhood, elementary education, math, English, social studies, etc. An endorsement signifies a pedagogical knowledge base which targets particular levels, stages of development, or circumstances. Consequently once the ESOL Endorsement is placed on a teaching certificate, the endorsement may remain on the certificate without any other training hours required.

Who is required to graduate with the ESOL Endorsement in Florida?

Teacher candidates pursuing certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Exceptional Education, or English Education (grades 6-12) must complete the requirements to qualify for the ESOL Endorsement. These content areas are primarily responsible for language development and literacy. Other content area teachers are required to enroll in 60 hours of ESOL training but do not attain an endorsement.

What is required to get the ESOL Endorsement?

Florida requires teachers to enroll in 300 hours of in-service ESOL training or 15 semester hours covering five topics: Methods of Teaching ESOL, ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development, Cross-Cultural Communications, Understanding Applied Linguistics, and Testing and Evaluation of ESOL. The State requires the same content for teacher candidates enrolled in state-approved teacher education programs; however, most institutions offer an ESOL infusion program that includes two (or three) stand-alone ESOL courses.

How do I obtain the ESOL Endorsement on my Teaching Certificate?

The “Application for Florida Educator’s Certificate” may be obtained online at the Florida Department of Education website. Every teacher candidate must complete two separate application forms. For example, a candidate will complete one application form for Elementary Education or Secondary content area (e.g., math, science, social studies, English) (Academic Coverage) certification and another application for ESOL (Academic Endorsement). A separate fee is required for each application. Go to http://www.teachinflorida.com/ for more information regarding teaching in Florida. Go to http://www.fldoe.org/aala/ for information on ESOL in Florida.

Recent News

ELL Proficiency Tests Move Online

Sep 25, 2015 | , | 0 Comments

English language learners and educators enter a new era. This school year two computer-based tests for English language learners will debut. By moving these tests online, educators anticipate they will be able to gain a more complete understanding of their students proficiency of the English language.

The online tests are being rolled out by two organizations. The first is the Word Class Instructional Design and Assessment Consortium, also known as WIDA. WIDA is a 36-state group and will launch its online test in November. The second is the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century consortium (ELPA 21). ELPA 21 consists of 10 member states and will debut its test in February and March.

read more

What We Do

For nearly 10% of U.S. students (approximately 5 million) a language and/or cultural barrier often challenges their abilities to attain English proficiency and acquire the academic content that all students are expected to meet in the K-12 classroom. ESOL in Higher Ed was created to provide all educators, including teacher candidates, resources to effectively teach students from diverse cultural backgrounds and at varying English proficiency levels.

what-we-do-image

ESOL in Higher Ed advocates for teachers who advocate for ELs. Great teachers know how to use their knowledge and skills to their fullest potential.

Jane Govoni, Ph.D.

Jane Govoni, PH.D.Meet Jane Govoni, founder of ESOL in Higher Education. Jane holds a PhD with a focus in Second Language Acquisition from the University of South Florida and an MA in Spanish from Boston College. Jane began her career as a middle and high school Spanish teacher. Then, as a tenured professor at Saint Leo University in Florida, she designed and taught ESOL courses for pre-service teacher candidates. With vast experience in foreign language and ESOL education, Jane has the knowledge and skills to provide expertise in integrating ESOL standards into undergraduate and graduate teacher programs. She continues to work closely with the Florida Department of Education in supporting the ESOL Endorsement for K-12 teachers and is a reviewer for CAEP/TESOL program accreditation. In addition, Jane is the executive secretary for the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators (SRATE).

What does the acronym ESOL mean?

There are a variety of definitions to characterize students whose primary language is not English, but who are learning English. These include limited English proficiency (LEP), a student for whom English is a second language (ESL), and a second-language learner (SLL). Other terms include non-English proficient (NEP), potentially English proficient (PEP), students acquiring English (SAE), and English as a new language (ENL). In addition, English language development (ELD) and culturally and linguistically diverse students (CLD) are terms used in the field. The most current is that of English learner (EL). However, since 2010 English language learner (ELL) is the term used in Florida to identify a student whose first language is not English.

How did the ESOL endorsement requirement originate in Florida?

In 1990, a lawsuit was filed against the state of Florida by a united group of organizations for failure to make accommodations in instruction to ensure the academic success of all English learners (ELs). The resultant mandate, the Consent Decree (also referred to as the META Agreement), requires ESOL training for PreK-12 teachers. In 2003, an addendum to the Consent Decree increased ESOL training hours for administrators, guidance counselors, social workers, and educators passing the ESOL subject area test. The requirement for the ESOL Endorsement for institutions of higher education began for graduates in Spring 2004. Originally, the 25 ESOL Standards and ESOL Competencies and Skills were either infused in teacher education programs or teacher candidates enrolled in five ESOL stand-alone courses. In Fall 2006, the ESOL Competencies (11th Edition of Competencies and Skills) were cross-walked with the 25 ESOL Performance Standards. In August 2009, the ESOL Standards were reviewed and by March 2010 the Florida Teacher Standards for ESOL Endorsement were presented for approval by the Florida Department of Education. The ESOL Standards reflect the national TESOL Standards. Currently, the 17th edition of the ESOL Competencies and Skills is available by the FLDOE. See the Florida Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition (SALA) website for further information regarding district training, legal documents, assessments for ELs.

What is the difference between a subject area certificate and an Endorsement in Florida?

A subject area certification or coverage is defined as the area in which a teacher candidate has a content knowledge base, such as exceptional education, early childhood, elementary education, math, English, social studies, etc. An endorsement signifies a pedagogical knowledge base which targets particular levels, stages of development, or circumstances. Consequently once the ESOL Endorsement is placed on a teaching certificate, the endorsement may remain on the certificate without any other training hours required.

Who is required to graduate with the ESOL Endorsement in Florida?

Teacher candidates pursuing certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Exceptional Education, or English Education (grades 6-12) must complete the requirements to qualify for the ESOL Endorsement. These content areas are primarily responsible for language development and literacy. Other content area teachers are required to enroll in 60 hours of ESOL training but do not attain an endorsement.

What is required to get the ESOL Endorsement?

Florida requires teachers to enroll in 300 hours of in-service ESOL training or 15 semester hours covering five topics: Methods of Teaching ESOL, ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development, Cross-Cultural Communications, Understanding Applied Linguistics, and Testing and Evaluation of ESOL. The State requires the same content for teacher candidates enrolled in state-approved teacher education programs; however, most institutions offer an ESOL infusion program that includes two (or three) stand-alone ESOL courses.

How do I obtain the ESOL Endorsement on my Teaching Certificate?

The “Application for Florida Educator’s Certificate” may be obtained online at the Florida Department of Education website. Every teacher candidate must complete two separate application forms. For example, a candidate will complete one application form for Elementary Education or Secondary content area (e.g., math, science, social studies, English) (Academic Coverage) certification and another application for ESOL (Academic Endorsement). A separate fee is required for each application. Go to http://www.teachinflorida.com/ for more information regarding teaching in Florida. Go to http://www.fldoe.org/aala/ for information on ESOL in Florida.

Recent News

ELL Proficiency Tests Move Online

Sep 25, 2015 | , | 0 Comments

English language learners and educators enter a new era. This school year two computer-based tests for English language learners will debut. By moving these tests online, educators anticipate they will be able to gain a more complete understanding of their students proficiency of the English language.

The online tests are being rolled out by two organizations. The first is the Word Class Instructional Design and Assessment Consortium, also known as WIDA. WIDA is a 36-state group and will launch its online test in November. The second is the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century consortium (ELPA 21). ELPA 21 consists of 10 member states and will debut its test in February and March.

read more