HAYS —  Starting during the fall 2012 semester, the Department of Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University will offer an undergraduate minor in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
“This program will allow our candidates to gain the skills necessary to work with students whose second language is English,” said Dr. Germaine L. Taggart, chair of the Department of Teacher Education.
“The addition of the minor and endorsement will allow them to teach students K-12 with limited or no English language proficiency,” said Sherri Brack, instructor of teacher education.
Candidates who have previously earned an education degree may add this undergraduate minor to their program of study up to two years following their FHSU graduation date.  The minor consists of a series of courses totaling 23 hours.

This program was made possible through a three-year grant given by the Kansas Board of Regents totaling $148,466 for the first year. Partner community colleges and school districts from Liberal, Garden City, Dodge City, Great Bend, and Hays have supported the securing of this educational opportunity.
“We are sending our students into the school districts with a tool box of methods and strategies,” said Brack. “This benefits both FHSU candidates and the schools they teach in, because the schools no longer have to provide training to these teachers.”
For more information, contact the Department of Teacher Education at 785-628-4204 or visit www.fhsu.edu/te/academic-programs/.