Innovative Programs - ESL Teacher Education Program at UAB

Sometimes, I thought I would Krashen burn, thinking that I had bitten off more than I could Chomsky. To CALP this off, my husband said that it sometimes made me behave like quite a BICS. Sigh. But Vygotsky, I did it! No one could Collier program one for slackers! Now that I'm done, I wonder what I will do with all my time as a Freeman! Thanks for all you did to help Carey us through. Alissa Murphy, ESL Teacher in Foley, AL & '09 MAE/ESL from UAB

Innovative Programs in ESL Teacher Education

Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in ESL
UAB offers a 33-hour MAE/ESL through a learner-centered distance-delivery approach.
This unique model combines online support from Blackboard with a variety of delivery formats:
	3 courses implemented in site-based professional learning communities;
	3 courses taught during summer modules at UAB (a week plus a day);
	3 courses delivered online or in a blended fashion;
	1 course scheduled on weekends (5 Saturdays);
	1 course structured around the internship.

Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Elementary or Secondary Education
At UAB, teachers with an MAE/ESL (and also Class A certification in ESL and Class B in either elementary or secondary education) may now pursue an Ed.S. in elementary or early childhood education or an Ed.S. in a single teaching field (math, science, social studies, or language arts) through a program that includes several courses with an ESL focus.
Note: Based on ALSDE's 2008 Administrative Code, teachers with Class A certification in ESL may be admitted to an Ed.S. program in the same teaching field as their Class B certificate.


Based on the contents and learning objectives of each course, the most appropriate delivery format is selected. For example, in order to learn hands-on techniques for teaching pronunciation to their ELLs, students attend class on Saturdays. In Spring 2009, the 24 students in EESL 625 came from Mobile, Foley, Loxley, Auburn, Muscle Shoals, Decatur, Anniston, Moody, Vincent, Chelsea, Montevallo, Alabaster, Pelham, Hoover, Homewood, Irondale, Trussville, Tarrant, Fultondale, and Birmingham. This class also included visiting scholars from Japan and Brazil.