John Brown University’s College of Education has been awarded a 5-year, $1.35 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education Office of English Language Acquisition to help fund the JBU TESOL Graduate Program.

“We are thrilled about the announcement of this grant award,” said Dr. Gloria Gale, associate dean for JBU’s College of Education. “The grant is in partnership with the Siloam Springs and Rogers School Districts and will fund the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) graduate courses for four groups of Siloam Springs and Rogers’ teachers.”

The TESOL Graduate Program is a research-based program that includes reflective practice within the context of professional learning community and is part of the TESOL concentration for the new Master of Education Curriculum Instruction degree to begin fall 2012. John Brown University’s College of Education was established on April 5, 2012, and houses the undergraduate, graduate and degree completion education programs.

“John Brown University has enjoyed a partnership with both of these school districts for many years, and the writing of this grant was a collaborative process,” said Grace Davis, director for the TESOL Graduate Endorsement Program. “The purpose for this unique grant partnership with two Northwest Arkansas school districts is to support student learning by helping teachers expand knowledge and focus their skills to meet the learning needs of K-12 English language learners.”

John Brown University is a private Christian university, ranked first among Southern regional colleges by U.S. News & World Report and is listed as one of America’s Best Colleges by Forbes. JBU enrolls more than 2,100 students from 41 states and 44 countries. JBU is a member of the council for Christian Colleges and Universities.