Supporting Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Adult Learners

Prepare to support the learning of adult second language learners in educational and work settings. You will develop essential skills to support adults in learning skills they need including reading, writing, math, English language proficiency, and problem-solving.

Develop essential skills to create and lead learning experiences for adult audiences in workplace, organizational, or higher education settings; Research and apply adult learning principles and best practices for teaching English to students not proficient in English to prepare them for higher education or the workplace; And develop innovative curriculum and instruction methods relevant to second language adult learners’ educational needs in a variety of professional settings. The mirco-credential provides a specialized research-based education for post-baccalaureate learners and may be completed in one year, starting any quarter.

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The following courses are required:

• ED 545A: 1st and 2nd Language Acquisition and Cultural Impacts
• ED 544A: English Language Development: Curriculum and Pedagogy

And choose from the following two courses:

• ED 590: Principles and Theories of Adult Learning and Development
• ED 591: Applied Strategies for Engaging Adult Learners

Rising Economic Demand

• Jobs for professional development in reskilling or upskilling will be one of the greatest employment needs.
• The number of people who need adult education should increase since many students leave high school without a diploma or the skills they need on the job. ESL teachers should be in high demand as people continue to immigrate to the United States.
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the following places as the largest employers of adult education teachers:
  • Community and junior colleges, both local and private
  • Other schools and institutions
  • Healthcare and social services facilities
  • Colleges, universities and professional trade/vocational school
  • Prisons and internment facilities

Contact Adult Learning at SOU

Adult Learning, ESL Advisor
Amy Belcastro
541.552.8245
belcasta@sou.edu