Undergraduate Minor in TESOL

BYU’s Department of Linguistics and English Language offers a minor and a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Students may earn a minor or a minor plus certificate.

Note: For education majors, the TESOL K-12 minor is available to those earning a teaching major and leads to an ESL Endorsement. It is offered through the School of Education. Contact the David O. McKay School of Education Advisement Center for the Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) program.

Career Opportunities

TESOL minor students are qualified for many overseas positions teaching English as a foreign language. They may also work in various ESL programs in the United States and other English-speaking countries. Possible teaching settings include adult education classes, intensive English programs, and English language learning programs around the world. Students in any major may apply for the TESOL minor.

Difference between the TESOL certificate and the TESOL minor

The TESOL minor will be indicated on a student's official transcript, whereas the TESOL certificate will not. Students should apply to the minor program by going to their college advisement center. Requirements will be tracked by the MyMap system and the student's progress report. If all requirements are met, the minor will be awarded at the time of graduation. Students who also want to complete the TESOL certificate must provide evidence to the Linguistics and English Language Department that requirements have been met. Once the certificate requirements have been met, the department will prepare and mail the certificate to the student.

Choosing whether or not to complete the certificate depends largely on the student's career goals. A TESOL certificate is a term that is recognized around the world. It is viewed as more applied and usable in the professional world. A certificate may be particularly useful if a student plans to teach abroad.

Students may choose to complete either a minor only or a minor and a certificate.

Program Learning Outcomes

English Language Fundamentals: Demonstrate a foundational knowledge of the English language systems of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics and how these systems relate to the language competencies of listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.

Instructional Competence: Given the foundational knowledge of the English language systems and competencies, demonstrate fundamental competence in instructional methods and strategies when teaching English as a second or foreign language.

Undergraduate TESOL Minor Requirements (Effective Fall 2013):

Prerequisite Course:

Course	Title	Hours
ELang 223*	Introduction to the English Language	3

Core Courses: Complete the following core courses

ELang 325	The Grammar of English	3
ELang 375	TESOL Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation	3
ELang 376	TESOL Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary	3

Additional Courses:

ELang 477	TESOL Course and Lesson Planning	3
ELang 478	TESOL Practicum	3
	Total Credits for TESOL Minor (3 prerequisite hours, 15 core hours)	18

*Ling 201 fulfills this requirement for Linguistics Majors

Undergraduate TESOL Certificate Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Complete a TESOL minor (18 hours).
Complete Elang 496R – TESOL Internship (3 cr.)
Provide evidence of the following:
1. Evidence of a second language learning experience equivalent to 4 semesters of a second language (through classes or challenge exams).
2. For students whose first language is not English, evidence of English language proficiency (at least an Advanced-low on the ACTFL OPI). Please stop in to the Linguistics department for more information to set up your OPI appointment (4064 JFSB).
3. Contact Nancy Turley (nancy.r.turley@gmail.com) if you plan on completing the certificate in addition to the minor.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ELang 223	Introduction to the English Language (3 cr.) Overview of English from linguistic point of view, emphasizing structure of English and social, biological, and psychological aspects of language. This course is offered fall, winter, spring and summer.
ELang 325	The Grammar of English (3 cr.) (prereq: ELang 223) Study of grammar in various applications. This course is offered fall, winter, spring and summer.
ELang 375	TESOL Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation (3 cr.) (prereq: ELang 223) Understand basic English as a second or foreign language theories and practices for teaching and assessing listening, speaking, and pronunciation. This course is offered fall and winter.
ELang 376	TESOL Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary (3 cr.) (prereq: Elang 223) Understand basic processes of literacy development in English as a second or foreign language. How knowledge of these processes informs classroom literacy instruction and practices. This course is offered fall and winter.
ELang 477	TESOL Course and Lesson Planning (3 cr.) (prereq: Elang 223, 325, 376, and 376) Design English as a second or foreign language course and plan lessons based on principles and knowledge of learning outcomes, assessment plans, methods, materials, classroom management, and learning activities; access and use professional resources. This course is offered fall, winter, and spring.
ELang 478	TESOL Practicum (3 cr.) (prereq: Elang 223, 325, 376, 376, and 477 or concurrent enrollment) Synthesize and apply the foundational knowledge of the English language systems and competencies in teaching English as a second or foreign language. This course is offered fall and winter.
ELang 496R	TESOL Internship (3 cr.) (prereq: all other required courses in the minor) Individualized work or volunteer experience in a domestic or international setting. All internships require prior departmental approval. Please contact Dr. Strong-Krause to get the internship approved. One credit hour of ELang 496R is equivalent to 50 actual teaching or preparation hours. This course is offered fall, winter, spring, and summer.

RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE OF COURSES FOR TESOL MINOR

Courses required for the TESOL minor are designed to be taken in the following sequence:

ELang 223 --->

ELang 325, 375, 376 --->

ELang 477 and 478

ELang 496R (for certificate only)

Notes: It’s best to begin ELang 496R at least one semester before graduation

The following Linguistics and English Language faculty members serve as academic advisors for TESOL minor students. Consult the chart below to determine which faculty member is your advisor.

Advisors for TESOL Undergraduate Minors:

First Letter of Student’s Last Name	Advisor's Name	Office Number	Phone Number	E-Mail Address
A-G	Norm Evans	4059 JFSB	422-2208	norm_evans@byu.edu
H-M	Dee Gardner	4061 JFSB	422-1219	dee_gardner@byu.edu
N-S	Diane Strong-Krause	4048 JFSB	422-3970	diane_strong-krause@byu.edu
T-Z	Mark Tanner	4063 JFSB	422-8154	mark_tanner@byu.edu