Approximately 30 K-12 teachers in Arkansas completed the in-person portion of the 2025-26 Arkansas Tech University English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Institute June 9-14.
“The ATU ESOL Institute is a high-impact training program designed to equip licensed K–12 Arkansas educators with research-based strategies and practical tools to support English language learners,” said Dr. Chih-Hsin Hsu, assistant professor in the ATU Department of English and World Languages. “Upon completion, participants will earn the ESL (English as a second language) endorsement approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.”
Hsu and Dr. Ursula Chandler, professor in the ATU Department of English and World Languages, serve as co-directors of the ATU ESOL Institute. The 2025-26 institute cohort will continue its studies with four online training sessions during the 2025-26 academic year.
Successful completion of the 10-day (80 hours) training and assignments through four online courses will allow participants to earn 12 graduate hours of credit and ESL licensure endorsement.
The ATU ESOL Institute is made possible through a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education. The grant covers the full cost of tuition, materials and one attempt at the Praxis 5362 examination for institute participants. Costs associated with lodging and food for the in-person training days are also covered by the grant.
ATU has offered degree programs in teaching English to speakers of other languages since 1992.
More information about the ATU ESOL Institute is available at www.atu.edu/eslacademy.
For additional details, send e-mail to chsu5@atu.edu.
