College of Education & Human Services

 

Lesson 3: Information and Resources About ELL Certificate Requirements

Access Info and Resources for ELL Certification

Note: This lesson does NOT qualify for ELL Certification. It is intended as a resource only.

Link to the Illinois matrix of certificates and requirements for ESL and bilingual educators: http://isbe.net/certification/pdf/ESL_matrix.pdf

 

Grow Your Own ELL Teachers

Given the rapidly changing demographics in school districts through out the state of Illinois, districts are oftengyo faced with meeting the needs of ELLs without having teachers who have the recommended endorsements. Many districts have faced this challenge by creating partnerships with universities that offer ESL/Bilingual endorsements.

Grow Your Own Teachers is an initiative in the State of Illinois to identify, train, and employ 1000 or more fully qualified teachers who have previous ties to the low-income communities where they will work. Each program under this initiative is organized and run by a consortium of institutions, including at least a teacher preparation university or college, a community-based organization, and a school district.

For more information on the state law, and the way the program could work in your community go to http://www.growyourownteachers.org

Project Estrella  

Western Illinois University’s Bilingual/Bicultural Education program is pleased to announce the availability of Federal grant monies for eligible bilingual education majors and minors. Funding is also available to in-service teachers who are seeking Illinois Bilingual Teacher Certification and ESL endorsements.

  • Pre-service teachers are eligible for tuition reimbursement for up to $2000 per semester plus a monthly stipend of up to $300.
  • In-service teachers participating in coursework leading to Bilingual/ESL certification are eligible for $450 per course taken at WIU.
  • Project Estrella participants also have many opportunities for other professional development activities such as field trips to exemplary bilingual schools and conferences.

Project Estrella is funded by the United States Department of Education Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students.

For more information please e-mail Dr. Gloria Delany-Barmann, Project Director and Coordinator of Bilingual/Bicultural Education, at GA-Delany-Barmann@wiu.edu or call 309/298-1183.