Undergraduate

The English as a Second Language Minor/ TESL Certificate will be offered beginning in Fall 2013 through the program in Second Languages and Cultures, College of Education and Human Development.

In order to tutor or teach English as a second language to adults, one must gain a broad understanding of several different areas

the nature of language and culture
factors underlying successful informal second language acquisition and formal language learning
principles of effective language teaching methodology
the structure of the English language itself

The ESL Minor/TESL Certificate provides a basic level of preparation in each of these areas, better equipping students to be more effective ESL tutors, and providing a foundation for further professional preparation at the graduate level.

Why Choose the ESL Minor/TESL Certificate?

Prepares students to assist in community ESL programs for immigrants, such as the Minnesota Literacy Council.
Provides 30 hours of tutoring experience in a community ESL setting.
Prepares students for volunteer EFL teaching experience overseas, such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching program, The Peace Corps, and The Fulbright English Teaching Assistants program.
Provides students with preparation for graduate programs such as Second Languages and Cultures (College of Education and Human Development).
May be used as an area of study for a degree program.
Enhances skills in order to be more effective in a current position.
Prepares students for a career move or advancement by gaining new skills.
Improves student communication skills, developing both oral presentation and writen communication abilities.

Testimonies from ESL Minor/TESL Certificate Students

"TESL changed my life…The ESL Minor has given me a new skill set for thinking about how to effectively study and teach other languages in the context of other cultures. In fact, my study of Mandarin in China has been greatly benefited by the competency I have gained through completing the ESL Minor… I'm in Beijing through the Chinese Government Scholarship, having come in late August of this year and returning home in late July of next year.” (Joseph Miller, Linguistics, graduation December 2011).
“All of the SLS classes have been very practical and enjoyable, but especially the service learning course. I have learned so much about myself as a teacher, and at the same time it has been so rewarding to know that I have helped an ESL student reach their goals.” (Anna Mundy, Spanish, graduation May 2011).
“‘Teach English, Go Anywhere’ is the banner hanging in my English office, where I am currently teaching in South Korea. I cannot give enough credit to the ESL Minor; the courses and professors. It is the reason I went to India while at the U and from there discovered a passion for TESL and followed that all the way to South. Korea. If you want to see the world and be useful, go with the ESL Minor, the benefits are limitless!”( Caitlin Priem, Religious Studies, graduation May 2010).

Contact Information

To apply for the ESL Minor/TESL Certificate, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.