ENL Hernandez Fellows
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the dates for the 2025 summer session?
- June 23, 2025: Virtual orientation in the evening
- June 24-26, 2025: Course 1 | Introduction to Linguistics and Language Acquisition (course online from 12:00 - 3:00p.m. EST)
- July 8-10, 2025: Course 2 | Introduction to Foundations and Teaching Second Language Acquisition (course online from 12:00 - 3:00p.m. EST)
- July 15, 2025: Travel to the University of Notre Dame
- July 16-24, 2025: One-week campus experience at the University of Notre Dame (coursework in the mornings and afternoons, community building, closing celebration, etc.)
- July 25, 2025: Travel from the University of Notre Dame
2. What if I do not hold a teaching license?
Catholic school teachers without licenses are welcome and encouraged to participate. However, in order to add an ENL/ESL/ESOL license to a professional certificate, a current teaching license must already be held by the participant.
3. What if I am not currently teaching full-time in a Catholic School?
Prospective candidates who are not teaching full-time in a Catholic school should contact Sarah Butch to discuss an alternative plan. Phone: 574-631-9387 Email: sbutch@nd.edu
4. What if there are no English learners (ELs) in my classroom?
You must be able to work with ELs in order to complete your practicum courses. If there are no ELs in your classroom, you need to ensure a consistent setting in which you can work with at least several of these children on a regular basis. Sometimes participants work with after-school tutoring programs, make arrangements with a colleague to regularly teach a lesson to his/her class, or work in ESL programs in a parish setting.
5. Will I be able to add an ENL/ESL/ESOL certificate to my state’s license?
The ENL program’s coursework leads to an ENL endorsement in Indiana, which is reciprocal with most states’ ESL/ESOL licenses. The Office of Licensure at Notre Dame will work with you to see if there is a comparable license in your state.
6. What do you mean by scholarship options?
Notre Dame is committed to reducing the barriers that make graduate studies a challenge financially, especially for Catholic school leaders serving in under-resourced schools and low-income communities. Thanks to the generous support of Megan and Enrique Hernandez, Jr., ENL is able to offer a $3,000 Hernandez fellowship to each participant upon admission, thus reducing the cost to $9,000. Additional need-based scholarships, up to an $2,000, are also available.
7. I have never taken an online course before. What do I need to know?
The benefit of online coursework is that it allows you to continue your graduate studies in the setting of your own home or classroom. Being computer savvy is not a prerequisite of the ENL program. During the summer session, you will be taught how to use Canvas, Notre Dame's online course tool. Technical support is offered throughout your participation in the program. Writing workshops and support are also provided. Additionally, our team will ensure that you are prepared to complete your fall and spring online courses with great success!
8. What will the 2025 summer program look like?
- June 23, 2025:
Virtual orientation in the evening before the start of the summer session - June 24-26, 2025:
Course 1: Introduction to Linguistics and Language Acquisition (virtual course in the afternoons, 12:00 - 3:00p.m. EDT) - July 8-10, 2025:
Course 2: Introduction to Foundations and Teaching Second Language Learners (virtual in the afternoons, 12:00 - 3:00p.m. EDT) - July 15, 2025:
Travel to the University of Notre Dame - July 16-24, 2025:
One-week campus experience at the University of Notre Dame (coursework in the mornings and afternoons, community building, closing celebration, etc.) - July 25, 2025:
Travel from the University of Notre Dame
Learn more about ENL summer programming.
9. What will the fall and spring courses look like?
In contrast to the summer, fall and spring courses will be online and asynchronous. Hernandez Fellows will have one-week intervals to complete instruction, guided practice, assignments. Participants will take two courses in the fall semester and two courses in the spring semester.
10. How much does the ENL program cost?
Participation in the ENL Hernandez Fellows program, including room and board, for the 2025-2026 year (20th Cohort) is $12,000. Additional scholarships are available. Learn more about the program cost structure and Title funds and how to use them.
11. Where can I find tuition assistance to fund my participation?
Again, thanks to the generous support of Megan and Enrique Hernandez, Jr., ENL is able to offer a $3,000 fellowship to each participant upon admission, thus reducing the cost to $9,000. Additional need-based scholarships, up to $2,000, are also available. Additionally, over 90% of ENL Hernandez Fellows use their school's Title funds to underwrite some or all of their tuition. Don't let cost deter you from applying to become a Hernandez Fellow.
12. What should I consider when preparing to come to campus?
The closest airport is South Bend International Airport (SBN), which is about a 12-minute cab ride to the University of Notre Dame. It is often more expensive than other major hubs, but this largely depends on where you are traveling from. Midway International Airport and O'Hare International Airport are both in Chicago, and the commute, on average, is about two hours. Both airports are considerably less expensive to fly into. Midway is a bit closer to campus than O'Hare, and is also the smaller of the two airports.
Participants stay in an air-conditioned residence hall on campus at the University of Notre Dame. All rooms are furnished with a sink, while the bathrooms and showers are shared and gender-specific by floor. Meals will be eaten in the dining hall and dietary needs will be accounted for by the ENL team.