Welcome to UAB where students become skilled, reflective ESL teachers through an innovative program, one that is accessible to educators all over Alabama. UAB’s distance-delivery approach is unique in how it combines online support with a variety of delivery formats:
3 courses implemented in professional learning communities; 3 courses taught during one-week summer modules; 3 courses delivered online or in a blended fashion; 1 course scheduled on 5 weekends; and 1 course structured around the internship.

UAB's learner-centered model for ESL teacher education embodies a three-fold purpose. Its first purpose is to train educators in meeting the needs of Alabama's growing population of English language learners (ELLs). Its second purpose is to deliver instruction through a standards-based, inquiry-focused approach. And, its third purpose is to ensure that quality ESL teacher education is available to teachers anywhere in the state.

If you wish to obtain an MAE in ESL, to become ESL-certified, and/or to work more effectively with ELLs, you have come to the right place! We look forward to hearing from you and to helping you reach your goal.

Brief History

In 1999, UAB offered its first ESL methods course. Committed to serving the region's growing international workforce, UAB systematically proceeded in developing a curriculum for the training of ESL teachers. When this curriculum reached full cycle in 2001, the first three UAB students obtained ESL teacher certification from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Shortly thereafter, an unprecedented surge of ELLs in the public schools was mirrored by a corresponding surge of graduate students in ESL teacher education. Untrained in the teaching of linguistically diverse students, teachers at all grade levels were eager to learn how to incorporate ESL best practices into their content classes in order to more effectively support ELLs' linguistic and academic development. By August 2008, a total of 235 UAB students had obtained ESL certification and/or a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) for teaching ESL. Currently averaging 40 graduates a year, UAB leads the state in the preparation of ESL-certified teachers.

Student Achievement

As of 2005, when the State of Alabama began requiring national examinations for teacher certification, 166 UAB students have taken the PRAXIS in ESL. Averaging 690 on the PRAXIS, UAB students have far exceeded the 540 score required by the ALSDE for ESL certification. UAB's average of 690 in ESL is also substantially higher than the national average of 640.

Federal Grants

Five grants from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition have served to enhance ESL teacher education at UAB. In addition to promoting UAB's unique distance-delivery model—with the most distant site at 250 miles from Birmingham, these grants have also served in fostering ESL partnerships with targeted school systems such as Shelby County, Baldwin County, Homewood City, and others around the state. Furthermore, by supporting the development of ESL workshops for K-12 educators and university faculty, these grants have also been instrumental in situating UAB as one of the ALSDE's premiere partners in the delivery of ESL professional development to mainstream teachers.

Impact