Culture and Communication
The minor in English as a Second Language (ESL) English is designed for those students pursuing an education, international missions, nonprofit management or other major area of study. Students learn how to teach English language learners in a variety of settings, both in the United States and abroad.
For people living in countries outside the United States, knowing English helps them learn more about the culture behind the celebrities they see or read about. Many of them dream about working in or traveling to English-speaking countries.
An ESL class may have 20 different students who are native speakers of 20 different languages. As their teacher, students couldn't possibly — or be expected to — speak all of their native languages. A teacher’s job is to teach them to speak English, as they teach them in English.
Practicums are an important part of this program. Apply concepts students learn in the classroom to actual teaching experiences as they complete the required 40 hours of ESL clinical experience.
For the 30-hour field practicum semester, prior to student teaching, students design and submit their own proposal. In the past, students have served on summer mission trips to Romania, been part of Missions in Action (M.I.A.) trips during breaks, and tutored language learners locally.
For the ESL endorsement, students must complete 100 contact hours with K-12 language learners. Students can volunteer as a coach, tutor or camp counselor working with area residents who aren’t native English speakers.
Before their student teaching experience, students will complete field experiences. Students will complete between 100 to 130 hours of field experiences. The Teacher Education Program will assist them in securing the school placements for all their field experiences. Our Student Education Association (SEA) is an organization to help students do additional “educational service” activities each academic year.
SEA empowers students and other future educators to invest in the lives of the next generation. Through professional and social activities, students will bond with other students, faculty and educators who are already working in their chosen careers. SEA is the largest student organization on campus with more than 200 students who take part in activities each year. We make a major impact in the surrounding school districts and community!
The student teaching assignment gives students experience in taking on more responsibilities for directing the learning activities of a group of students in a “real-world” classroom. The minimum time is 60 full official school days. A classroom teacher, the principal of the school, and the university supervisor, will supervise the students. A faculty member will observe them on site. This is a time for students to grow, learn and develop as a teacher.
Prepare for and take the ESL specialization test. Students are not required to pass this test in order to receive the ESL endorsement. But if students want to advertise them as specialized in ESL, they will want to do this.
