A letter from Dean Hughes

Dear colleagues,

I’m writing to update you on changes with the college’s relationship with the School of Teaching ESL.  These changes affect our TESOL, adult education, and ELL endorsement offerings.
 
Dr. Nancy Butler approached Seattle University’s new off-campus education department in 1985 with ideas to fill a need for ESL teacher education. What began as a single class became the College of Education’s program in teaching ESL and also eventually became the separately incorporated School of Teaching ESL which operated in cooperative agreement with the College of Education. The School of Teaching ESL offered seventeen classes which were approved by the College of Education.  As needs continued to grow, Seattle University began its own MA/TESOL and Post-Master’s Certificate in TESOL programs, with School of TESL classes approved as elective components of these degrees, as well as electives in adult education.
 
Due to internal shifts in mission and policies at Seattle University, the relationship between the two institutions will end, effective June 30, 2013. The College of Education values and appreciate the many years of collaboration and the quality of work that the School of TESL has done throughout its history under the leadership of Dr. Butler and her successor Bernice Ege-Zavala.  
 
In the year ahead, the College will announce its plans for creating more of our own TESOL elective courses, and for an exciting new endorsement that will prepare ELL teachers.  Look for announcements as the planning process continues.
 
It is important to note that our agreement with S-TESL will continue through June of 2013, and students whose work is in progress until that point will receive Seattle University credits under the terms of the current agreement.  

Regards

Bob Hughes, Ed. D.
Interim Dean, College of Education