Alabama has seen a dramatic increase in its English as a Second Language (ESL) population. This increase has created a need not only for ESL teachers in area school systems, but also a need for all teachers to be prepared to work with English language learners (ELLs) in their classrooms.

Dr. Jenelle Reeves, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching, came to Auburn University in 2002 to create a master's degree and certification program in ESL. The program is expected to be approved by the Alabama State Department of Education and ready for enrollment by fall 2003.

This is a 30 hour program and upon completion graduates will be certified at the class A level to teach ELLs from pre-school age through 12^th grade. Teachers must have a B level or above certification to qualify for enrollment into the ESL master's program at Auburn University. Experience in a second language, while desirable, is not a prerequisite for admission to the program.  The program's mission is twofold:  providing ELLs, whose academic success depends on English proficiency, with effective English language instruction and promoting and affirming bilingualism for all students in our increasingly linguistically diverse society.

This program is flexible and designed to work with the schedules of the graduate students, most of whom are likely to be practicing teachers. The program includes a 300 hour internship.

For more information, please contact Dr. Reeves at (334) 844-6747 or by e-mail,

reevejr@auburn.edu.