Literacy and English Language Learners

About our Literacy and English Language Learners Program

Children and adolescents, including English language learners, who do not meet literacy benchmarks are placed at a significant disadvantage both in school and in their later adult lives. Niagara University's literacy and English language learners program prepares individuals with initial certification to provide appropriate literacy assessments, interventions, and supports for all  learners with a special focus on English language learners. As well, candidates will acquire awareness and understanding of the social-cultural and socio-linguistic issues that impact the acquisition of English as an additional language. The program includes the most current theory and practice, and the program leads to New York state initial certification as literacy specialists birth to grade 12 and as ESOL teachers birth to grade 12. 

Candidates must hold a teacher certification in another area prior to admission that includes at least six credit hours of literacy coursework in literacy skills and methods, and three credit hours of coursework in teaching students with disabilities.

This program blends our literacy instruction program with our TESOL program to give students highly demanded skills in the education field!