If you are passionate about intercultural communication and want the credentials for teaching English anywhere in the world, a degree in TESOL is right for you. TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and is a unique course of study leading to rewarding career paths and experiences.
Goshen College is one of the few colleges in the United States to offer TESOL programs and a K-12 teaching license. Our language teaching program emphasizes the importance of a global perspective, the power of language acquisition, and the ability of stories to connect people.
Participants of the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program will have the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. You will learn about different cultures and how to communicate effectively in a second or foreign language with people from other cultures. You will also learn how to teach English to speakers of other languages.
Through our TESOL courses, you will gain valuable experience for a teaching career. You will have the opportunity to student teach in various settings, including elementary education, secondary English education, ESL students, and community-based organizations. You will also have the chance to participate in international teaching experiences through our study abroad program.
An undergraduate degree in TESOL is an ideal choice for those interested in teaching English in another country or working with speakers of other languages in the United States.
Key Points of the TESOL Major & Minor available at Goshen College:
Through a robust course offering and strong multidisciplinary foundation, you will be well-prepared for various international teaching opportunities. Topics of focus include:
TESOL majors will have the opportunity to learn about other cultures through their interactions with international students and coursework. TESOL minors can supplement their major with multicultural insight and experience by taking advantage of the TESOL course offerings and interacting with international students on campus.
When finished with your bachelor’s degree program, you will be prepared to pursue a master’s degree, other graduate degrees, your initial certification, or your desired career.
At GC, you will learn about linguistics, education, and intercultural studies and have plenty of opportunities to gain real-world tutoring and teacher preparation. When paired with an education major, GC’s TESOL program will give you the necessary skill set and license to work with English language learners at the elementary or secondary level.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to travel abroad through our semester-long Study-Service Term to a developing country and teach English. TESOL graduates have landed English teaching jobs all over the globe:
Three Goshen College students, Emily Sandler, Vianey Latisnere Reinada and Shelbey Younts, have been named 2021 Outstanding Future Educators by the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IACTE).
This past year, Goshen College offered an 11-month program for full-time teachers to get an English Learner’s license, also known as TSOL or ENL. The license provides teachers with background of how a second language develops. Teachers learn specific strategies for instruction, assessment, and identifying areas of concern.
The first cohort of teachers in Goshen College’s new English learner’s (EL) license program returned to their classrooms with a new set of tools to better serve students whose first language is not English.
of education alumni say their undergraduate education prepared them for their teaching career
of education faculty have had K-12 classroom teaching experience
of Goshen College students study abroad
Best Study Abroad Program in the U.S.
– BestCollegeReviews.com
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Anastasia Stevens ’24 has a passion for languages and wants to use her linguistics skills to help others.
Anastasia's storyAs a professor of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and International Student Adviser, Skip Barnett is passionate about working with students from around the world.
Skip's storyArmarlie Grier, a 2016 graduate of English writing from Rockford, Illinois, calls herself a xenophile—a person who is attracted to foreign cultures. That’s why she minored in international studies, philosophy and TESOL.
Armarlie's storyMohamed Meissara graduated in 2013 with a TESOL major. He came to Goshen College from Mauritania as a Fulbright Scholar, but he was also a soccer player, a leader, a Muslim and a peacemaker.
Mohamed's storyRachel Smith, a 2001 graduate, combined her interests to create a linguistics website that teaches American English pronunciation.
Rachel's storyEdgar Saucedo attended Goshen College as an undergraduate student and earned a B.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). In 2014, he earned a Master of Arts in Intercultural Leadership at GC.
Edgar's story
