TESOL – Teaching English to speakers of other languages
A major and a minor in TESOL are available, in addition to English Learners teacher certification for grades P-12 or 5-12. See the Education pages for information about certification in Elementary education/English learners for grades K-6.
Major in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL)
41 credit hours
- Comm 206, Communication across Cultures3
- Educ 303, Literacy I3
- Educ 406, Literacy II3
- Engl 201, World Literature3
- Engl 204, Expository Writing3
- Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics3
- Engl 315, Global English 3
- Engl 319, English Grammar1
- Engl 320, Methods of TESOL4
- Engl 325, TESOL Practicum3
- Engl 410, Senior Seminar3
- Additional foreign language beyond the 102-level3
- Two intercultural studies courses selected from the following:6
- Educ 307, Children’s and Adolescent Literature (required for EL licensure)
- Engl 207/307, Literature of Ethnicity, Gender, Race
- Hist 217, Geography and Culture
- Any course in SST alternate list (may not double count for international studies minor)
Student learning outcomes
Graduates in TESOL will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development, sociological contexts and systematic organization of languages in general and English in particular.
- Demonstrate knowledge of language learning theories and language teaching methods and issues.
- Demonstrate knowledge of culture’s impact on worldview, language, texts, and communication styles.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of sign systems, including oral, written and media.
- Apply language learning theories, evaluation methods, and a wide variety of effective strategies in the teaching of second languages.
- Contribute to society as a culturally competent teacher and communicator.
- Integrate faith and ethical awareness into the teaching of languages and interactions with language students.
Planning guide for TESOL major
First year | Goshen Core Academic Voice Research & Writing World Literature Language courses for 102-level prerequisite Communication Across Cultures Intercultural studies elective |
Second year | Goshen Core Expository Writing English Grammar Additional foreign language SST |
Third year | Goshen Core Introduction to Linguistics Global English Education courses* Intercultural studies courses Methods of TESOL TESOL Practicum |
Fourth year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major and related courses English Senior Seminar |
Planning and advising notes
Students must demonstrate basic competence in some foreign language through the 102 level by testing or by courses. The “additional foreign language” requirement beyond the basic competence may be in the same language or a third language. Also, ASL may count as the basic foreign language or as the additional foreign language, but not as both.
Teacher education certification in TESOL
The Education and English departments collaborate to offer three different teacher education state certification programs that equip students to teach English Learners (EL) in public schools and elsewhere:
- Grades K-6 certification in Elementary education/English learners (EL): students complete the normal Elementary Education major and Engl 310, 315, 319, 320 and 325 (unless student teaching is done in EL).
- Grades 5-12 certification in EL: students complete the TESOL major and the Secondary Education track in the Education department.
- Grades P-12 certification in EL: students complete the TESOL major and the All-Grade Education track and also take Engl 325 for 2 credits.
The first education class, Educ 201, should be taken in May term of the first year or fall of the sophomore year. See the Education department catalog and web pages for more details about requirements.
For the 5-12 EL certification, students should either do student teaching in EL (instead of Engl 325) or else do a non-EL student teaching placement and then take Engl 325 for 3 credits. For P-12 EL certification, students should do EL student teaching with one age group (e.g., elementary students) and then take Engl 325 for 2 credits with another age group (e.g. high school students). Non-Teacher Education students should take Engl 325 for 3 credits.
Minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL)
20 credit hours
- Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics3
- Engl 315, Global English3
- Engl 319, English Grammar1
- Engl 320, Methods of TESOL4
- Engl 325, TESOL Practicum or Student Teaching in EL3
- Additional intercultural studies courses6
- selected from SST list
- additional foreign language beyond the international education prerequisite.
Planning and advising notes
Students must demonstrate basic competence in some foreign language through the 102 level by testing or by courses. The “additional foreign language” courses may be in the same language or a third language. Also, ASL may count as the basic foreign language or as the additional foreign language, but not as both.