The role of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers is to promote educational equity and the academic achievement of non-English speaking students by teaching them how to speak, read, write, listen and communicate in English and by supporting them in learning content knowledge and academic language while they learn English. Grand Valley's programs leading to a certification to teach with an endorsement (add-on certification) in ESL provide: 

• content knowledge across all elementary subjects
• thorough understanding of the structure of English
• theoretical understanding of language learning
• knowledge of effective teaching practices
• the ability to communicate content knowledge
• extensive field experiences teaching in both general education and ESL classrooms