TESOL & Bilingual Education Programs

Educators earning the MLL endorsement will better understand the process of second language acquisition and design effective instruction for English language development strategies across grade levels and content areas. Educators earning the ESOL certification will have comprehensive knowledge of sociocultural, theoretical, and pedagogical practices and are able to serve MLL students at all levels of English language proficiency.

The MLL is an appropriate fit for all teachers who hold a valid teaching certificate and who work in general education classrooms across all grade levels and content areas.

The pathway to an MLL endorsement is a two-course sequence of TESL 401 followed by TESL 402 at the undergraduate level or TESL 501 followed by TESL 502 at the graduate level.

TESL 401/501: Introduction to teaching emergent bilinguals (4 credits)
Students learn methods and techniques for supporting Emergent Bilingual students in regular education classrooms. Students experience observation and practice through early clinical preparation. Concurrent enrollment in a practicum is recommended.

TESL 402/502: Applications of Second Language Acquisition (3 credits)
Students examine theories and research relating to second-language acquisition, which are examined from a pedagogical perspective. Emphasis is on variables affecting language learning and language teaching.

The MLL endorsement immediately provides in-service general education teachers with a working theoretical knowledge of second language acquisition which they can operationalize into inclusive and contextualized pedagogical practices. Rhode Island College’s MLL Endorsement pathway focuses on developing teachers who can support English language acquisition and sustain multilingualism.

The MLL endorsement is available to both graduate and undergraduate students. As long as you have taken a general methods course you are welcome to register for the class. If you are not currently a student at RIC, you can register as a non-degree student.

If you have never attended Rhode Island College, you will need to create an account to obtain a username, password, and appointment time in order to register for classes. Students applying to the college should not use this process

Create a MyRIC Account to Register

Request a MyRIC account and you will receive an email confirmation. You will also be emailed instructions about your MyRIC username and password for future or return use if it is not yet your appointment time.

Registration times are assigned first to degree students, then current non-degree students, followed by new non-degree students. Non-degree registration for fall is in late August; for spring, early January; and early March for summer. Registration dates are listed in the academic calendar.

Please note: If an existing account is found for you, you will be directed to request reactivation of your account through the Registar's Office at 401-456-8213 or records@ric.edu.

Applications are completed online via our online graduate studies application platform. We accept applications by November 1 in the fall semester and March 1 in the Spring semester, but teachers can also begin by taking up to two classes before officially matriculating into the program. 

The admissions requirements for the CGS and MED include 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, transcripts, a resume, and an admissions form. Note that the GRE/MAT is no longer required for any of our programs. Nor is a performance evaluation. Note for Bilingual Education candidates: Because the Bilingual Education Concentration is housed under TESOL programs, you should apply to TESOL. Proficiency in a language other than English is required for admission to the Bilingual Education concentration.

The MLL endorsement is 7 credits, while ESOL certification is 21 credits.  Please see RIC’s website for current per-credit tuition rates.

Courses in the two-course endorsement sequence will be offered fall, spring, and summer.