Major: Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)
For people who live in the United States and don't know English well, life can be tough. Even climbing on a bus or buying a soft drink becomes a chore -- let alone succeeding in school and at work.
Luckily, teachers certified to teach English to non-English speakers can help. These instructors love knowing that every single lesson makes a huge difference in their students' ability to get through the day. If you too want to make a direct, positive impact on people's lives, you may want to consider teaching ESL.
This major prepares students to teach the speaking, writing, and reading of English to people whose main language is not English.
Did You Know?
- ESL teachers are in demand around the country -- and around the world.
Are You Ready To...?
- Study a language other than English (you don't need to become fluent)
- Volunteer as a coach, tutor, or camp counselor for English language learners
- Spend time in schools observing and student teaching
- Learn more by visiting the TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) website
It Helps to Be...
Fascinated with language and communication, and eager to find out about other people and cultures. Good ESL teachers enjoy learning from their students as much as they like teaching them.
College Checklist
- Is the program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education?
- Is the program approved by the state's department of education?
- Does the program focus more on practice or theory? If you want to go right into teaching, a practice-oriented program may be the right choice.
- What do recent grads have to say about their experiences?
- What percentage of graduates get TESOL jobs?
- Will the program help you find work after graduation?
Did You Know?
- ESL students face challenges beyond learning English, such as surviving culture shock, making friends, and feeling good about themselves.
Course Spotlight
Your program will provide many opportunities for you to visit ESL classrooms, where you'll observe teaching strategies. You'll learn about the two main models of ESL teaching. In the pull-out model, students are pulled out of regular classes to spend part of the day in ESL classrooms. In the push-in model, ESL teachers enter regular classrooms to support English language learners.
Your classroom visits, called field placements, will prepare you for the semester you spend student teaching just before you graduate.
