ELL endorsement

Why pursue an ELL endorsement?

As of 2026, roughly 15% of K-12 students in Washington state speak something other than English as their first language. ELL is no longer the domain of specialists; instead, every teacher must be prepared to build on the language skills of all the students in their care. An ELL endorsement allows teachers to serve their students well while also serving in building and even district leadership.

Unfortunately, the number of ELL-endorsed teachers falls far short of state-wide needs. In a 2026 report, the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board reported a significant shortage of ELL-endorsed educators. Adding an ELL endorsement to your existing teaching certificate provides you with a strategic advantage in the state-wide educational job market. Most importantly, however, an ELL endorsement will equip you with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of all your students.

Saint Martin's University ELL Endorsement Program

The English Language Learner (ELL) Endorsement Program at Saint Martin's University is designed to help in-service teachers add an ELL endorsement to their existing certification. In order to earn the ELL endorsement, candidates must:

• Possess a valid Washington teaching certificate. If you do not hold a valid teaching certificate, consider the MIT program as a first step
• Complete all ELL endorsement courses
• Complete an ELL practicum. This is usually conducted in the candidate's existing educational setting (e.g. the classroom they already teach in)
• Pass all state-mandated ELL content testing (e.g. WEST-E – 051)

This program is also intended for non-certified educators who want to learn more about effective ELL instruction, such as individuals teaching in non-profit or community-based settings. These individuals are not subject to testing, certification, and practicum requirements, and their program will not result in an endorsement.

The ELL endorsement may be earned in conjunction with a Master's of Education (M.Ed.) degree. This pathway requires five graduate courses in addition to the ELL endorsement courses listed below.

Program requirements

Required courses

The program’s five courses will prepare you with the following knowledge and skills:

• the stages of second language acquisition
• the history and legislation of bilingual education
• designing and modifying literacy instruction using SDAIE (Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English) and the SIOP Model (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol)
• teaching reading, writing, and grammar to speakers of other languages
• integrating language and content across the curriculum

Candidates must pass the WEST-E in English Language Learners in order to apply for the add-on endorsement.

Enrollment options

Individuals interested in an ELL Endorsement can enroll in one of the following ways:

• Enroll in the M.Ed. in English Language Learners program
• Enroll in the ELL Endorsement-Only program
• Enroll in individual ELL courses (does not result in the ELL Endorsement)