The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that each person receiving the ESL Program Specialist Certificate demonstrate competencies in four areas: linguistics, assessment/support, instructional materials/program design, and cultural diversity. The Chester County Intermediate Unit’s (CCIU) approved program provides twelve credit hours of coursework to give educators the required knowledge and skill to meet PDE competency requirements. Teachers may take the courses for either Continuing Professional Education (CPE) graduate credit or graduate credit through Immaculata University.
Competencies for this program can be achieved in two ways: successful completion of a CCIU program course or demonstration of prior completion of competencies. Instructors will confirm to the CCIU when participants have successfully completed program courses. At that time, a date will be entered on the appropriate form to indicate achievement of the corresponding competencies for the course taken.
Individuals who wish to demonstrate they have previously achieved competency in one of these areas should submit documentation as follows:
- Submit documents that demonstrate the knowledge cited in the competencies for a particular course(s) was gained through one or more classes previously taken at an accredited institution of higher education or intermediate unit.
- Documents must include an official transcript and a course syllabus.
- Required documentation should be supplemented by other evidence/artifacts that show an accomplishment of course competencies such as a course reading list, a letter from an instructor, a course paper or test, or other course projects.
- Use CCIU forms to submit documentation; these can be requested from the Registrar’s Office by contacting karid@cciu.org. Describe how the documents included with the forms satisfy the competencies for the course(s) being reviewed. Attach additional paperwork if necessary.
- Submit the forms w/appropriate backup documents to: Kari Clark, CCIU, 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335.
- A fee of $50 will be charged for each transcript review. Payment should accompany the request for review.
- Allow a minimum of thirty days for review of materials submitted. Please note if you would like materials submitted returned to you.
- Two instructors will review the requests for prior demonstration of competencies using the ESL Program Specialist Rubric to assign a score to each course. Rubric scores of Advanced or Proficient are required to signify prior completion of competencies. Basic and Below Basic Demonstration of Competencies are not acceptable for achieving the training component and participant must take and successfully complete a program course.
Program Coursework
Language Acquisition I
This one-credit course focuses on the structure of the English language, grammar and pronunciation, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
Language Acquisition II
This one-credit course gives participants the knowledge and skills to assist ELLS in the process of first and second language acquisition including developmental issues in verbal and nonverbal language and vocabulary development. Teachers will learn other skills to increase language acquisition including error analysis, discourse analysis, knowledge of language proficiency levels and their application to instruction, and the current research on academic language.
Language Acquisition III
This one-credit course will help participants develop knowledge of the process of literacy development for second language learners and strategies to assist ELLs in the different stages of second language usage.
Instructional Materials I
This one-credit course focuses on the design and implementation of ESL programs that will assist ELLs in acquiring English and cognitive academic language skills. It will include the development and evaluation of teaching resources, as they are appropriate for various language proficiency levels, native language development, and literacy.
Instructional Materials II
This one-credit course will explore the research related to effective instruction for ELL students and the specific instructional strategies and methods that can be help students be successful learners.
Instructional Materials III
This one-credit course will address the need for adaptations/modifications for ELLs in the regular classroom and include information on instructional strategies that support acculturation, multicultural resources, strategies for adaptations, procedures, and assessments to maximize second language acquisition.
Assessment & Support for ELLs I
This one-credit course will address effective assessment practices, purposes for assessment, multiple assessment models, evaluation techniques, scaffolding assessments, and formal/informal assessment tools. Participants will be engaged in test administration, interpretation, and reporting.
Assessment & Support for ELLs II
This one-credit course will focus on assessment of ELLs in content learning and the availability of school support services to assist these students in language acquisition and content learning.
Assessment & Support for ELLs III
This one-credit course gives participants strategies to promote parent and family involvement in the learning process and procedural knowledge regarding special education services and IEPS for identified ELLs.
Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
This three-credit course addresses the behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of multicultural and multilingual learners and families. Participants will learn instructional methods and techniques based on recognized principles of learning with ELL students as well as how to facilitate coordination between ELLs, families, and educational staff.
Questions and Answers
The Chester County Intermediate Unit’s (CCIU) PDE-approved ESL Certificate program provides twelve credit hours of coursework to give educators the required knowledge and skill to meet PDE competency requirements. Teachers may take the courses for either Continuing Professional Education (CPE) graduate credit or graduate credit through Immaculata University.
How do I register for courses?
Register on-line at www.cciu.org. Move cursor to “Courses”, click on “CPE On-Line Catalog”, click on "View All” and follow the prompts to register.
What is the cost of courses?
CPE credit will be $130 per credit; Immaculata University credit will be $130 additional per credit. All courses are one (1) credit with the exception of “Cultural Diversity in the Classroom” which is three (3) credits. Teachers are advised to consider their district’s reimbursement procedures and their professional needs to decide which type of credit is most advantageous.
Is there a particular order in which I must take the courses?
No, the courses have been designed as independent courses of study; teachers may take the courses in any order.
What is a one-credit course?
One-credit courses are 14 hours of class time with 16 hours of required out-of-class work.
What are CPE credits?
Continuing Professional Education credits are credits given by the Pennsylvania Department of Education; coursework is offered through the Intermediate Unit System. These credits are considered graduate level and can be applied toward obtaining Instruction II certificates and for Act 48 purposes.
Do I have to be enrolled at Immaculata to receive graduate credit?
No, you should only formally enroll at Immaculata if you wish to enroll in a Master’s Program. Immaculata has approved all CCIU ESL Certificate courses for graduate credit.
Can I receive credit for courses I have already taken?
You may be able to demonstrate achievement of PDE competencies through courses previously taken from an approved institution of higher education or intermediate unit. Additional information can be obtained by emailing karid@cciu.org.
Can I receive credit for experiences teaching ESL classrooms?
No, experience will not be accepted as demonstration of PDE required competencies. Teachers must submit official transcripts and syllabi for review.
In collaboration with Immaculata University, this 12-credit program can be taken for either Continuing Professional Education (CPE) graduate credits or college graduate credits.
Please click on the links below to access ELL information.
For more information regarding the above link, please contact:
For more information regarding the above link, please contact:
- Dr. Rina Vassallo, Director
