English as a Second Language Add-on License

Requirements

What is TESOL?

TESOL stands for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is an academic field, usually associated with applied linguistics and second language acquisition and teaching.

Why select TESOL?

For decades, the field of TESOL has been growing worldwide. The reason for the steady growth is simple – we need more teachers! English is the most widely learned second language in the world. The number of English as a second language speakers is estimated at 950 million, whereas Spanish as a second language speakers (the second largest group) are estimated at 350 million, in the world. Evidently, English has become the international language; thus, there is a need for teachers who have received appropriate education and training in the field of TESOL.

Interested in other cultures?

Teaching English as a second language provides a rewarding experience that is difficult to gain in a monolingual community. As we encounter students with diverse cultural backgrounds, we broaden our knowledge of other cultures (e.g., language, tradition, clothes, and food). Knowing about other cultures also enables us to understand our own culture. Experiencing cultural diversity will enable us to develop a global perspective that can enrich our lives in our own culture.

Do you know some of the terms?

• ESL (English as a second language)
• ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)
• EFL (English as a foreign language)
• ELT (English language teaching)
• TESL (Teaching English as a second language)
• TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language)
• EIL (English as an international language)
• ELL (English language learner)

Did you know . . .

• There were 9,114 English language learners in 1997-98 vs. 31,951 English language learners in 2004-05.
• 225 native languages are represented by English language learners in Indiana today.
• Only 467 teachers held ESL licenses in 2004.

What can adding an ESL license do for you?

• In just 21 credits, you can add-on the ESL license area in grades K-12.
• You will be prepared to meet the needs of your English Language Learners.
• You will be better prepared to meet language standards set for all learners.
• You will bring additional skills to the market that others may not have.

Requirements of an English as Second Language License

1. Pursuit of a subject area teaching license with a 2.5 GPA

2. The following courses (21 credit hours):

• ENG 220 Language & Society
• ENG 320 Introduction to Linguistic Science
• ENG 321 English Linguistics
• ENG 436 Theory and Research of TESOL (Offered in Fall)
• ENG 437 TESOL Methods (Offered in Fall)
• ENG 438 TESOL Assessment & Curriculum Development (Offered in Spring)
• ENG 457 TESOL Practicum (Offered in Spring)

3. Student Teaching includes partial placement with English Language Learners

For more information . . .

Email esllicense@bsu.edu or visit your education advisor today!

Links

• TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.), a global education association
• Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

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