Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: K-12 ESL Licensure Preparation Minor
Catalog Year 2025-2026
The minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) prepares undergraduate students to teach English Learners in K-12 schools. All students seeking a teaching license must also be admitted into professional education. See the Teaching Programs section in the catalog for admission requirements for professional education and for a list of required professional education courses. Students pursuing the TESOL licensure preparation track must meet a language requirement (i.e., one year of college level or two years of high school foreign language study or an equivalent experience) to be licensed to teach K-12 ESL in Minnesota.
Program Requirements
Core
All students seeking a teaching license must meet and maintain the requirements to be admitted into professional education. See the 5-12 or K-12 Teaching Programs section in the catalog for admission requirements for professional education and for a list of required professional education courses. Students pursuing the TESOL licensure preparation track must meet a language requirement (i.e., one year of college level or two years of high school foreign language study or an equivalent experience) to be licensed to teach K-12 ESL in Minnesota.
This course introduces students to sociolinguistics with some specific focus on the role of culture and language in education. Topics of study focus on diverse student populations in American schools, particularly language learners. The course examines the interaction between language(s) and culture and helps students explore how individuals are members of many communities and are influenced by a host of different cultural markers, such as language, race, ethnicity, regionalism, social class, gender, and other differences.
Prerequisites:
none
Introduction to theory and best practices of teaching second language listening and speaking to a variety of English learners in multiple contexts.
Prerequisites:
none
Introduction to theory and best practices of teaching second language grammar and vocabulary to a variety of English learners in multiple contexts - specifically focusing on content based teaching practices.
Prerequisites:
none
Introduction to theories and classroom practices that have shaped second language teaching and learning. Topics of study focus on prominent second language learning/acquisition theories, individual and sociocultural factors in language learning, technology-based resources that enhance language learning, as well as practical issues and applications of theory in a wide range of instructional contexts.
Prerequisites:
none
Introduction to theory and best practices of teaching second language reading and writing to a variety of English learners in multiple contexts.
Prerequisites:
none
This course explores state and federal legislation affecting EL programs, current models of EL program delivery, and Minnesota State Standards and standardized testing. Additionally, the course develops the ability to understand the needs of and communicate with students, families, and program members within the context of their environments such as school, family, and community.
