Programs Preparing
ESOL Teachers

At Warner, we prepare teachers who find innovative ways to make learning English fun, meaningful, authentic, and relevant to students from every background. They understand where immigrant and refugee students, as well as domestic students of different linguistic backgrounds, come from and capitalize on the diverse histories, traditions, and educational experiences that they bring to the classroom. And, as strong advocates for their students, they are committed to creating socially just schools and leading changes needed for increased academic achievement of all English language learners.

Through coursework and field experiences, our graduate students deepen their understanding of the English language, linguistics, and language acquisition while learning innovative and effective ways to teach this growing population. Our program aims to prepare teachers who understand that learning English includes communicative competence, cultural expertise, and mastery of the structural complexities of the English language. Students become ESOL teachers who know how to create and adapt curricula and classroom instruction around authentic materials, contexts, and purposes that engage students in the English language.

ESOL teachers are constantly learning from students, their families and communities, and the curriculum they develop around their students. By bridging planning and instructional strategies with theory and research that supports them, our graduates know how to develop curriculum and teaching practices that are learner centered—where they start from what English language learners already know and build on that to link to their students’ home and community lives. And, they seek out and develop habits of reflective practitioners and collaborate with other professionals to improve learning opportunities and meet the diverse needs of all students. These powerful classroom practices and experiences give their students, who are learning English, an equal opportunity to succeed both in and out of the classroom and in a life beyond high school.

A more flexible 30-credit master’s program not leading to NYS certification, for people interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages in learning environments other than NYS public K-12 schools. These could include independent, private or charter schools, community colleges, professional schools, schools, colleges and universities outside the United States, or a variety of informal settings (such as afterschool programs, enrichment programs, summer camps, etc.).

Check program-specific requirements for our MS in TESOL (TT3)

Warner offers both EdD and PhD programs that can be customized to include a focus on TESOL education, by:

• Choosing TESOL courses for program core choices and electives.
• Constructing independent studies and course projects in research methods courses related to TESOL education.
• Conducting a dissertation project on a TESOL topic sponsored by a faculty member with expertise in TESOL research and practice.

Learn more about our doctoral programs in teaching.

While Warner offers teacher preparation programs only at the graduate level, interested undergraduate students can achieve early admission to Warner and start taking some courses to get a significant jump start. Contact admissions for more information.

If you are a high school student looking for colleges that will allow you to become a NYS certified teacher in five years, while also completing a rigorous liberal arts undergraduate major, you should consider our GRADE program. Offered by Warner in partnership with the University of Rochester's College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering, this program allows undergraduate applicants to be directly admitted to graduate studies at the Warner School. This provides them the opportunity to anticipate some of their graduate coursework and engage in experiences that can help them decide if teaching is indeed for them. For more information, visit the GRADE Program page on the UR Undergraduate Admissions website.