Did you know that the United States is one of the only countries in the world to consider monolingualism—that is, learning and using only one language for communication—the norm? Linguistic diversity is an exciting and ever-present reality in the 21st century. The minor in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language offers you the opportunity to learn how to work with linguistically diverse populations in the United States and globally.
This minor is open to students from any major with any language background. While the minor does not lead to certification, it prepares you to teach and work in linguistically diverse contexts and for future certification through post-graduate or TESOL certification programs.
In this minor, you will:
- Learn how we acquire first language and second languages (or more, in the case of multilingual individuals).
- Learn best practices for working with linguistically diverse students in elementary, middle, and/or high school as well as adults in the United States.
- Learn best practices for teaching English virtually anywhere in the world after graduation.
- Learn how to teach English for a variety of communication purposes such as academic, workplace, and everyday communication.
- Practice teaching emergent bilinguals in service-learning classes in which you put your knowledge into practice.
- Learn about the great benefits of working in a linguistically diverse workplace and strategies for navigating communication across linguistic and cultural difference.
- Promote linguistic justice and equity in the world.
Set up meeting with TESL/TEFL Minor Coordinator, Dr. Melissa Caldwell.