School of Education

Overview

We are actively engaged in improving literacy and building language skills around the world.

We prepare:

• Teachers of English, ESL and EFL, foreign language, and reading for positions of leadership in the field
• Program directors, instructional supervisors, and curriculum specialists in language areas
• Educators who develop improved instructional procedures and improved curricula in language education
• College and university personnel to teach, design, and direct programs for the preparation of teachers of language education
• Researchers in language education
• Specialists in the development of programs and instructional materials in language education at all levels

We also offer course work for Indiana teachers who want to earn additional licensing in reading and teaching English as a second language (ESL). Find out more about license additions »

Degrees

The School of Education offers the following certificates and degrees in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education:

EFL/ESL Distance Education Certificate Program (EPDE)

In an increasingly interconnected and global business environment, the demand for English As a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers is growing rapidly. Since 2002, there has been a 300-percent increase in demand for EFL teachers in countries such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Meanwhile, in the United States, there are more than 5 million students who need help learning English.

Now, you can earn a graduate-level certificate in the specialty of EFL/ESL instruction. This 12-credit hour program is designed for both new and experienced teachers. You can choose between the EFL/ESL Teaching Program, designed for students who wish to teach EFL/ESL students, or the EFL/ESL Teacher Trainer Program, for students who want to train future EFL/ESL teachers.

If you choose to pursue a master’s degree in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education, your certificate course work may apply to your degree requirements.

Read the EPDE Newsletter >>

Program Requirements

Learn more about the program at IUconnectED or apply now.  Complete course descriptions are available in the current academic bulletin.

For questions about the program, please contact: 
EPDE program epde@indiana.edu or Professor Faridah Pawan fpawan@indiana.edu

EFL/ESL Teaching Program

• Required Courses (9 cr.)
  • L525 Practicum in Language Education
  • L539 Language Foundations for EFL/ESL Teachers
  • L540 EFL/ESL Approaches to Instruction and Assessment 
• Elective Courses (3 cr.) – Choose one of the following:
  • L543 Teaching English in Global Contexts
  • L544 Computer Assisted Language Learning

EFL/ESL Teacher Trainer Program

• Required Courses (12 cr.)
  • L540 EFL/ESL Approaches to Instruction and Assessment
  • L546 Mentorship and Literacy Coaching of EFL/ESL Teachers
  • L547 Language Policy and Planning
  • L525 Practicum in Language Education

M.S.Ed. in Language Education (online or residential)

Are you interested in teaching English, English as a second or foreign language, or other foreign languages? The M.S. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education can prepare you. You’ll gain an understanding of language and literacy processes through the lens of cultural context. You’ll learn how to assess student performance, and apply research knowledge to classroom experiences. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain practical experience teaching children, high school and college students, and adults.

Prepare for a career as a teacher, language or reading specialist, instructional leader in language education, or as a writer and editor of instructional materials. This 36-credit hour program includes a thesis option for students who plan to pursue additional graduate study in the field.

This degree program is also offered online through IUconnectED. Learn more about IUconnectED or apply now »

Degree Requirements

If you have prior graduate-level course credit from an accredited institution, it may be possible to transfer in course work and have it apply toward your degree. A minimum of 27 credits must be completed from IU course offerings.

Learn more about our courses and schedules »

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (15 cr.)

• L500 Instructional Issues in Language Learning
• L605 Capstone in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Four Literacy, Culture, and Language Education courses, which can be chosen from our current Distance Education courses.

Inquiry (3 cr.)

• Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry or a similar approved course.

Foundations (6 cr.)

• Inquiry (3 cr.)
  Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry or a similar approved course.
• Substantive (3 cr.)
  A600 School Law
  A608 Legal Perspectives on Education
  E535 Elementary School Curriculum
  H504 History of American Education
  H520 Education and Social Issues
  H525 Anthropology of Education
  H530 Philosophy of Education
  H540 Educational Sociology
  J630 Curriculum Theory and Practice
  J636 Curriculum Coordination/Supervision
  P510 Psychology in Teaching
  P515 Child Development
  P516 Adolescent Development
  P540 Learning and Cognition in Education
  P550 Language and Cognitive Development
  S503 Secondary School Curriculum 

Electives (9–15 cr.)

• Six (6) credit hours must be taken from outside the department. See course listings for possible elective choices.

M.S.Ed. in Language Education (Peace Corps International)

Are you torn between entering the Peace Corps or going to graduate school? Now you can do both. Through a unique partnership with the Peace Corps and the IU School of Education, our master’s program enables students to volunteer and earn a master’s degree in EFL or ESL while they serve.

Courses are available online or on campus, as your schedule permits. You may select the EFL/ESL teacher-training track or the teacher-trainer track. Your two-year Peace Corps field experience also counts as six elective credits toward the degree requirements. When you graduate, not only will you have made a real difference in the lives of others, you will be prepared to apply those experiences toward a rewarding teaching career.

To be admitted, you must apply to both the Peace Corps and the M.S. Ed. in Language Education program.

Degree Requirements

Complete course descriptions are available in the current academic bulletin.

If you have questions about the program, please contact: 
lclemi@indiana.edu or Professor Faridah Pawan fpawan@indiana.edu

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (15 cr.)

• L500 Instructional Issues in Language Education
• L605 Capstone in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Choose three of the following EFL/ESL Teacher Education courses:
  • L502 Socio-Psycholinguistic Applications to Reading Instruction
  • L520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching
  • L524 Bilingual Issues in Second/Foreign Language Teaching
  • L525 Practicum in Language Instruction
  • L530 Topical Workshop in Language Education
  • L539 Language Foundations for TESOL Teachers
  • L540 EFL/ESL Instruction and Assessment Approaches
  • L541 Writing Instruction for TESOL Teachers
  • L543 Teaching English in Global Contexts
  • L544 Computer-Assisted Language Learning
  • L546 Mentoring and Literacy Coaching of ESL/EFL Teachers
  • L547 Language Policy and Planning

Foundation & Inquiry (6 cr.)

• Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry
• P540 Learning and Cognition

Electives (9 cr.)

Choose three additional courses from the EFL/ESL Teacher Education courses listed under I-c.

Outside-of-Department Electives (Peace Corps Two-Year Service)

• A portfolio will be required.

Ed.S. in Language Education

Experienced teachers can become specialists in language arts, literacy, EFL/ESL, foreign language instruction, or reading through the Specialist in Education degree. In this challenging program, you’ll explore literacy development, English and language arts education theories and practices, diagnostic procedures, and remedial instruction. You’ll also participate in independent research into issues affecting literacy and language education.

This 65-credit hour degree prepares you for education leadership opportunities as well as careers writing and editing instructional materials. Select the option of a capstone project or comprehensive examination at the conclusion of your course work. Some graduate course work from other programs or universities may apply toward your degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

Complete course descriptions are available in the current academic bulletin.

Core Course (3 cr.)

• L600 Issues in Language Education

Basic Courses (12 cr.)

• Inquiry Skills (3 cr).
  • Choose one of the following:
    • Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry
    • P510 Statistical Methods Applied to Education
    • Y535 Evaluation Models and Techniques
    • H510 Methodology of Educational Inquiry
• Substantive Core (9 cr.)
  • Choose one of the following:
    • A600 School Law
    • H504 History of American Education
    • H536 Problems on the Philosophy of Education
    • H600 Concepts and Arguments in Education
    • H631 Social and Political Philosophy of Education
    • H638 Aesthetics and Education
  • Choose one of the following:
    • E535 Elementary School Curriculum
    • E695 Current Trends and Problems in Elementary Education
    • J630 Curriculum Theory
    • J636 Curriculum Coordination/Supervision
    • J637 Curriculum Development Processes
    • S503 Secondary School Curriculum
  • Choose one of the following:
    • P514 Life Span Development: Birth–Death
    • P515 Child Development
    • P516 Adolescent Development
    • P540 Learning and Cognition in Education
    • P550 Language and Cognitive Development
    • P560 Classroom Communication
    • P623 Child Development
    • P625 Teacher Behavior
    • LING P532 Secondary Language Acquisition
    • PSYCH P438 Language and Cognition
    • PSYCH P623 Psychology of Language
    • SOC S438 Childhood Socialization
    • SOC S332 Adult Socialization
    • SPEECH S530 Language Acquisition

Other courses may be approved by your faculty advisor.

Major Field (24 cr.)

• Courses in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
  • L500 Trends, Issues, and Methods in Language Education
  • L501 Critical Reading
  • L502 Socio-Psycholinguistic Applications to Reading Instruction
  • L504 Diagnosis of Language Difficulties in the Classroom
  • L506 Reading and Learning Skills Development in Postsecondary Education
  • L511 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Elementary Schools
  • L512 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Secondary Schools
  • L513 Literary Aspects of Designing Documents for Training
  • L516 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School English Language Arts
  • L517 Advanced Study of Content Reading and Literacy
  • L520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching
  • L524 Language Education Issues in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
  • L525 Practicum in Language Education
  • L530 Topical Workshop in Language Education
  • L535 Adolescent Literature
  • L536 Methods and Materials for TESOL Teacher-Trainers
  • L545 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in Elementary Schools
  • L559 Trade Books in the Elementary Classroom
  • L590 Independent Study in Language Education
  • L600 Issues in Language Education (required)
  • L601 Theoretical Issues in the Study of Language and Literacies (required)
  • L630 Topics in Language Education
  • L645 Organization and Administration of a School Reading Program
  • L650 Internship in Language Education
  • L690 Readings in Language Education
  • L700 Seminar on Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Research
  • L750 Topical Seminar in Language Education
• Courses Outside the Department (no more than 6 cr.)
  • Linguistics L522 Survey of Applied Linguistics
  • Linguistics L532 Second Language Acquisition
  • Linguistics L556 The Language Laboratory: Hardware & Software
  • English L503 Teaching of Literature in College
  • English W501 Teaching of Composition in College
  • English W553 Studies in Literature
  • English W554 Teaching Creative Writing
  • French F573 Problems and Methods of College French Teaching
  • German G500 Basics of College German Teaching
  • Spanish S517 Methods of Teaching College Spanish

Other courses may be added with the consent of the advising committee.

Cognate Field (9–18 cr.)

Two courses may be selected from either inside or outside Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. Typically, courses are selected from Second Language Teaching, English Education, Library Science, Socio-Psycholinguistics, Curriculum, Special Education, School Administration, Applied Linguistics, Reading Education, or Foreign Language.

General Electives (8-17 cr.)

Courses may be taken inside or outside the School of Education but must be approved by your faculty advisor.

Ed.D. in Language Education

Explore theories of language education and curriculum development and conduct independent research into issues related to the teaching of reading, writing, and language. The Ed.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education is designed for practitioners who want to take on leadership roles in their schools or organizations, particularly in the development of instructional procedures and curriculum.

This 60-credit hour program is open to students with at least two years of teaching or alternative experience. You will be required to spend at least two consecutive 9-credit hour semesters on the Bloomington or Indianapolis campus (summer semesters not included).

Degree Requirements

Complete course descriptions are available in the current academic bulletin.

Major Course (27 cr. Minimum)

• Required Core Courses (15 cr.)
  • L600 Issues in Language Education
  • L601 Theoretical Issues in the Study of Language & Literacies
  • L650 Internship in Language Education
  • L750 Topical Seminar in Language Education (taken twice)
• Required Inquiry Courses (6 cr.)
  • L599 Early Inquiry Experience
  • L700 Seminar on Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Research
• Other Courses (15 cr.)
  • L500 Instructional Issues in Language Learning
  • L502 Socio-Psycholinguistic Applications to Reading Instruction
  • L504 Identifying and Working with Learner Literacy Difficulties
  • L506 Reading and Academic Support of Postsecondary Learners
  • L507 Issues in Language Learning for Graduate-Level Pre-Service English Teachers
  • L511 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Elementary School
  • L512 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Secondary Schools
  • L513 Literary Aspects of Designing Documents for Training
  • L516 Advanced Study in the Teaching of English/Language Arts
  • L517 Advanced Study of Content Reading and Literacy
  • L520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching
  • L525 Practicum in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
  • L530 Topical Workshop in Language Education
  • L540 ESL/EFL Instruction and Assessment Approaches
  • L535 Teaching Adolescent/Young Adult Literature
  • L536 Methods and Materials for TESOL Teacher Trainers
  • L545 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in Elementary Schools
  • L559 Trade Books in the Elementary Classroom
    L590 Independent Study in Language Education
  • L630 Topics in Literacy, Culture, and Language EducationL645 Organization and Administration of a School Reading Program
  • L690 Readings in Language Education

Inquiry Courses (9 cr. minimum)

• Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry or Y521 Methodological Approaches to Educational Inquiry
• Three other courses, including at least one qualitative method course and one quantitative method course.

Minor Courses (9 cr. minimum)

Your minor may be taken inside or outside of education but must complement the major and support your professional goals. Typical minors are in Second Language Studies or Instructional Systems Technology.

Dissertation (15 cr.)

• L795 Dissertation Proposal Development (3 cr.)
• L799 Doctoral Thesis in Language Education (12 cr.)

Ph.D. in Language Education

Conduct advanced research into literacy, culture, and language education and prepare for a career as a faculty researcher. This 90-credit hour degree program prepares you to research pressing issues in language education, such as language revitalization, digital literacies, bilingualism and multilingualism, and writing across cultures. You'll also learn to teach, design, and direct programs aimed at building the skills of language education teachers.

A 15-credit hour doctoral minor is also available to students outside the Literacy, Culture, and Language Education discipline.

Degree Requirements

Complete course descriptions are available in the current academic bulletin.

Major Course (36 cr. Minimum)

• Required Core Courses (15 cr.)
  • L600 Issues in Language Education
  • L601 Theoretical Issues in the Study of Language & Literacies
  • L650 Internship in Language Education
  • L750 Topical Seminar in Language Education (taken twice)
• Required Inquiry Courses (6 cr.)
  • L599 Early Inquiry Experience
  • L700 Seminar on Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Research
• Other Courses (15 cr.)
  • L500 Instructional Issues in Language Learning
  • L501 Critical Reading in Content Areas
  • L502 Socio-Psycholinguistic Applications to Reading Instruction
  • L504 Identifying and Working with Learner Literacy Difficulties
  • L506 Reading and Academic Support of Postsecondary Learners
  • L507 Issues in Language Learning for Graduate-Level Pre-Service English Teachers
  • L511 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Elementary School
  • L512 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Writing in Secondary Schools
  • L513 Literary Aspects of Designing Documents for Training
  • L514 Advanced Study of Teaching Reading in Middle School
  • L515 Advanced Study in the Teaching of JH/MS Language Arts
  • L516 Advanced Study in the Teaching of English/Language Arts
  • L517 Advanced Study of Content Reading and Literacy
  • L520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching
  • L524 Language Education Issues in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
  • L525 Practicum in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
  • L530 Topical Workshop in Language Education
  • L540 ESL/EFL Instruction and Assessment Approaches
  • L535 Teaching Adolescent/Young Adult Literature
  • L536 Methods and Materials for TESOL Teacher Trainers
  • L545 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in Elementary Schools
  • L549 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Language Arts in the Elementary Schools
  • L559 Trade Books in the Elementary Classroom
  • L590 Independent Study in Language Education
  • L630 Topics in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
  • L645 Organization and Administration of a School Reading Program
  • L646 Administration of System Reading Curricula
  • L647 Practicum: Supervision of Reading
  • L652 Writing Educational Publications
  • L690 Readings in Language Education

Inquiry Courses (12 cr. minimum)

• Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry or Y521 Methodological Approaches to Educational Inquiry
• Three other courses, including at least one qualitative method course and one quantitative method course.

Minor Course (12 cr. minimum)

Your minor may be taken inside or outside of education but must complement the major and support your professional goals. Typical minors are in Second Language Studies or Instructional Systems Technology.

Electives/Second Minor (6–15 cr.)

Elective courses must be relevant to the student’s program of studies. Sample courses may include:

• SLST T522 Survey of Applied Linguistics
• LING S532 Models of Second Language Acquisition
• LING L556 The Language Laboratory: Hardware and Software
• ENG L503 Teaching of Literature in College
• ENG W553 Studies in Literature
• ENG W554 Teaching Creative Writing
• L500 Language and Culture
• L600 Ethnography of Communication
• H552 Comparative Education
• H560 Education and Change in Societies
• H620 Seminar in Educational Policy Studies
• W500 Approaches to Composition and Rhetoric
• W601 History of Rhetoric
• W602 Contemporary Theories in Rhetoric and Composition
• W780 Special Topics in Composition
• L680 Introduction to Cultural Studies
• L705 Literacy Seminar
• L707 Studies in Literacy Theory and Criticism
• F527 Oral Poetry
• F527 Folk Poetry and Folksong
• J650 History and Philosophy of the Press
• L515 History of the Book
• L700 Language and Literacy
• P438 Language and Cognition
• P623 Psychology of Language
• P638 Experimental Psychology of Reading
• S434 Language Development in School Age Children
• S515 Clinical Practice in a Multicultural Society

Dissertation (15 cr.)

• L795 Dissertation Proposal Development (3 cr.)
• L799 Doctoral Thesis in Language Education (12 cr.)

Faculty

Our Literacy, Culture, and Language Education faculty includes experienced language teachers, education leaders, and nationally recognized scholars. Our research interests are wide and varied, from the affect of race and gender on reading and writing instruction to teacher education. Because research is such an important component of our curriculum, you can expect to develop close relationships with faculty members.

• Donna Adomat, Assistant Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Beth Berghoff, Associate Professor
• Serafin Coronel-Molina, Assistant Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Sharon Daley, Visiting Assistant Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• James Damico, Associate Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• D.Ted Hall, Assistant Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Jerome Harste, Professor Emeritus of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Mary Beth Hines, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Literacy, Culture and Language Education
• Christine Leland, Professor
• Mitzi Lewison, Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Carmen Medina, Assistant Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Larry Mikulecky, Professor Emeritus of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Martha Nyikos, Associate Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Faridah Pawan, Associate Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Stephanie Power-Carter, Associate Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Sharon Pugh, Associate Professor Emeritus of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Beth Samuelson, Assistant Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Walter Smith, Clinical Associate Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
• Karen Wohlwend, Assistant Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education

Careers

Our academic programs prepare graduates for positions in PK-16 schools, colleges, and universities and nonprofit organizations. Many of our graduates hold leadership positions in which they are responsible for developing improved instructional procedures and curricula for literacy and language instruction. Another option for graduates of our degree programs is extending understanding of language and literacies in positions as researchers in universities and education research centers.

Contact

For detailed program information, please contact:

Department of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
W.W. Wright Education Building Room 3044
Bloomington, Indiana 47405
Phone:(812) 856-8270
Email: lcle@indiana.edu