A college-aged female works with two children of different minority populations

English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement

Program Overview

Program Overview

The English as a Second Language Endorsement is offered by Lipscomb’s College of Education which is consistently ranked as one of the most effective educator preparation programs in the state of Tennessee and the nation.

Teaching candidates who are seeking initial licensure (PK-3, K-5, or 6-8 grades) can also seek an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.  Learn how you can unlock academic achievement for all students by reducing language barriers.

Adding an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement provides evidence of your skills and can make you even more marketable as a teacher. You’ll be ready to teach in a wide variety of settings, sharing the content you love and making a difference in the lives of students and their families.

Courses

Courses

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Nashville, TN

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville, Tennessee, an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

Our Faculty

  • Jeanne Fain headshot

    Jeanne Fain

    Program Director of ELL

    Jeanne Gilliam Fain is a professor in the College of Education at Lipscomb University and she is the Director of MLL/ELL program. Her scholarship agenda includes a focus on Literacy,...

    Meet Jeanne Fain
  • Alice Nie headshot

    Alice Nie

    Assistant Professor

    Alice Nie began her career in education in New York working with English language learners. Since then, she has taught both domestically as well as internationally in countries including Saudi...

    Meet Alice Nie

Career Paths

High School Teachers

High school teachers help prepare students for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.

Middle School Teachers

Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades. They help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult curriculum they will face in high school.

Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, in order to prepare them for future schooling.

Career and Technical Education Teachers

Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts. They teach academic and technical content to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter an occupation.

Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.

Postsecondary Teachers

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and technical subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

Related Programs

A teacher instructs three students sitting across from her using a textbook

Interdisciplinary Teaching