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Teaching of English, Spanish and Second Languages

EMU offers several options for those who wish to teach language or literature.

English with Teaching Endorsement for Grades 6-12

The English major at EMU includes literature, writing, English language, and dramatic arts. The department requires foreign language competency through intermediate level II and encourages advanced study through the literature level. These will enhance your preparation for teaching English to middle and high school students. 

In addition to broad base of knowledge in literature, writing, language and drama, our education program will give you many opportunities for classroom observation and teaching, including a full semester of student teaching. Our teacher education program is nationally accredited through CAEP. See the requirements for an English major with a teaching endorsement.

Major in Spanish Language and Hispanic Studies with Teaching Endorsement for PreK-12

Students majoring in Spanish language and Hispanic studies learn to speak, listen to and write Spanish well. In addition they learn Hispanic culture through studying literatures and cultures of Spain and Hispanic America both historically and currently. Native-speaking conversation assistants help each student reach his or her peak proficiency in listening and speaking.

Students develop language skills and cultural understanding through field trips, interculturals to Spain, Guatemala and Mexico, and interactions with the Hispanic community, nonprofits, and dual-immersion public schools.

In addition to broad base of knowledge in Spanish language and culture, our education program will give you many opportunities for classroom observation and teaching, including a full semester of student teaching. Our teacher education program is nationally accredited through CAEP. This program will prepare students to teach Spanish by instructing them in the standards of the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL).
See the requirements for an Spanish language and Hispanic studies major with a teaching endorsement.

English as a Second Language (ESL) PreK-12

To teach in U.S. public schools, a student must combine an academic major, ESL teaching endorsement courses, and the education licensure program. A teaching endorsement in ESL (Grades PreK-12) is approved by the Virginia Department of Education.

The ESL teaching endorsement provides the opportunity to study the unique aspects of teaching English to speakers of other languages with practical experience in the classroom. Students may choose any major and include ESL and teacher endorsement requirements. 

Our education program will give you many opportunities for classroom observation and teaching, including a full semester of student teaching. Our teacher education program is nationally accredited through CAEP.

See the requirements for an ESL teaching endorsement.

  • Distinctives
    • Our teacher education program is nationally accredited through CAEP.
    • Students get classroom experience within the first 5 weeks of the program.
    • Students learn reflective practice techniques so that they continue to be the best teachers in their field, year after year. 
    • Students are mentored by PhD-level faculty who model being excellent educators by caring for students and calling out each students' gifts. 
  • Practical Experiences

    At many colleges students don’t get into the classroom until their third year. You are in the classroom in some way nearly every semester. 

    • At EMU, education students are in local classrooms, observing and learning, by their fifth week of classes.
    • Local school divisions are richly diverse in culture, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
    • Field experiences are embedded throughout program so that education students are in the field nearly every semester.
    • Students are in a classroom full-time during student teaching, and receive regular feedback and assistance from the classroom teacher and an EMU representative.
    • Students may choose more than one student teaching placement to experience multiple classroom settings and locations. 
    • Student teachers also participate in Reflective Teaching Seminar class which provides additional support to students during the student teaching semester and covers valuable topics such as preparing for job searches and interviews.
  • Employability/Careers
    • Completing our program makes you eligible for a Virginia teaching license, and we'll process the paperwork for you.
    • The Virginia Department Of Education reported in 2017 a shortage of more than 6,000 teachers.
    • Harrisonburg and Rockingham County school supervisors seek EMU teacher-education graduates.
    • The average starting salary for teachers in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County Schools is $44,000
    • EMU teacher-education graduates often move on to graduate school to further specialize and often give leadership in administrative leadership roles.
    • 100% of 2022-23 program graduates program graduates who sought positions in education were employed in education settings and graduated with an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.7.
    • 100% of program graduates pass the state licensure exams.
    • We will work with you to understand how to obtain a teaching license in another state if you want to teach outside of Virginia after completing our program.
  • Affordability
    • 99% of undergrads receive financial aid
    • The average assistance package is over $37,000
    • Over $21 million in aid is awarded each year

    Financial aid packages often include:

    Learn more by contacting  EMU's Financial Assistance Office or checking out our net price calculator.

     

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