UVM student working with youth through a Service Learning Course at King Street Center

The increasing ethnic and linguistic diversity of our society creates opportunities and poses challenges that impact schools, communities, and workplaces. Two different minors are available for UVM students who want to develop the disposition and skills to work in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

"What I like about the coursework is that there are opportunities with the classes to go into the field and work with different organizations, such as the King Street Center and Parent University, to see this information we are learning in a real-life context."  Jordan Kerr '19

What Students Gain

  • Enhanced cross-cultural communication skills and culturally responsive practices
  • Experience working in multilingual settings
  • Exploration of language delivery models
  • Awareness of the intersection of language and educational policies
  • Advocacy for assets-based English language instruction
  • Opportunities to work with families and children who are speakers of other languages in a service-learning context

Two Minor Options for UVM Students

Education for Cultural and Linquistic Diversity (18 Credits) - Open to all UVM Students

This minor is for any UVM student who wants to develop competency working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in a variety of professional and community settings. Interdisciplinary coursework includes a variety of electives in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Cultural Anthropology, Higher Education, Human Development, Linguistics, Social Work, and Sociology.

Core Courses (9 credits)

Note: ECLD prefix replaces the former EDLT prefix.

  • ECLD 056 (D1) Language Policy Issues, Race, & School
  • ECLD 102/202* Bilingual Education & Policy
  • ECLD 205 Home, School, & Community Collaboration

*Undergraduate students take ECLD 102; graduate students take ECLD 202.

Elective Courses (9 credits)

Note: One course must be at the 100 level or above.

  • ANTH 021 (D2:SU) Cultural Anthropology (pre-requisite for Anthropology courses in this course sequence)
  • ANTH 040 Parenting and Childhood
  • ANTH 095 Food and Culture
  • ANTH 174 D2 Culture, Health, & Healing
  • CDAE 295 Multicultural Leadership
  • CSD 020 Intro to Disordered Communication
  • CSD 094 Development of Spoken Language
  • ECLD 190 Teach Reading and Writing to English Learners
  • ECLD 295: ELL Practicum
  • EDHE 050 Bullying, Discrimination, and Youth Violence Prevention
  • EDSP 224 Meeting the Instructional Needs of All Learners
  • GEOG 272 Migration, Mobility and Transnationalism
  • HDFS 005 Human Development
  • HDFS 060 Family Context of Development
  • LING 080 Introduction to Linguistics (Pre-requisite for Linguistic courses in this course sequence)
  • LING 095 Linguistic Diversity in the U.S.
  • LING 170 Second Language Acquisition
  • LING 176 (D1) African American English
  • SOC 019 D1 Race Relations in the U.S.
  • SWSS 055 Working with Refugees

Education for Cultural and Linquistic Diversity - ENDORSEMENT (21 credits) - for Education majors only

This pathway is for Education majors pursuing an additional certification/endorsement in their licensure program to work with English language learner students (ELLs) in PreK through grade 12. The ESOL Praxis II is required upon completion of the endorsement. Upon completion, endorsement is through transcript review with the Vermont Agency of Education.

Students in this minor will learn to:

  • address different language, academic, and social-emotional needs of students
  • create culturally responsive lessons and curriculum
  • assess language and content for EL students
  • understand the importance and complexity of home school partnerships with families with English learners
  • examine state policies and program planning for EL students

Required Courses (21 credits including Practicum)

Note: ECLD prefix replaces former EDLT prefix.

  • ECLD 056 (D1) Language Policy Issues, Race, & School
  • ECLD 102/202* Bilingual Education & Policy
  • ECLD 190 Teach Reading and Writing to ELs   - or  - LING 170 TESOL & Applied Linguistics -- or -- LING 177 Second Language Acquisition
  • ECLD 201 Developing Curriculum for English Learners
  • ECLD 205 Home, School, & Community Collaboration
  • LING 080 Introduction to Linguistics (pre-requisite for Linguistic courses in this course sequence)
  • ECLD 295 Practicum for working with English Learners (at a local school)

*Undergraduate students take ECLD 102; graduate students take ECLD 202.

ECLD Minor Brochure (PDF)

 

How to Apply

Please use the online application form to apply:

ECLD Minor Application Form (PDF)

Deadlines to Apply

  • October 15 to begin spring semester
  • March 15 to begin fall semester

Contact Us

Did you know?

  • English language learners (ELLs) are the fastest-growing student population group – over 10% of the student population in grades PreK-12 are ELs.
  • There were more than 4.95 million ELL students in public schools during the 2016-17 school yesar, yet only 78,000 teachers dedicated to addressing their needs.