Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Concentration

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) opens exciting doors to the world of English and the community of international language teachers.

If you have an interest in teaching English in the U.S. or abroad with learners of all ages, augmenting your knowledge of effective language teaching theory and practice, or going on to graduate studies in TESOL, linguistics, applied linguistics, or foreign languages, consider adding a concentration in TESOL.

You will gain experience in the various aspects of the field, learn techniques to promote language learners' listening, speaking, reading, writing, and intercultural skills, enhance your communication skills, and discover whether a career in any aspect of English teaching, the field of ESL/EFL, second language materials development, program administration, research, international student advising, or employment in U.S.-based or overseas international organizations or educational institutions might be right for you.

Program strengths

Provides a solid foundation for the competencies required to teach English abroad and in U.S. contexts
UIndy's classes offer a small student-to-faculty ratio, which means you get close mentorship from faculty members who know your interests well.

Who is eligible to pursue a TESOL concentration?

Undergraduates in any major who are in their third or fourth year of study are invited to explore their interest in teaching English through the TESOL concentration. International students considering teaching English in their home countries or another country are also encouraged to pursue this concentration.

Curriculum

Our TESOL courses combine theoretical and practical applications related to various aspects of language education. Our course offerings explore the following topics and more:

Key concepts, issues and methods of teaching English
Encompassing approaches to language teaching
Research in second-language acquisition
Learner characteristics
Sociolinguistics
Pragmatics
Testing and assessment
The four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening
Political issues, including immigration and laws for language education
Dialects and accents
The relationship between culture and language
Native and nonnative English-speaking teachers

The TESOL programs take an inquiry-based approach toward learning and instruction, offering opportunities for individual focus and reflection, plus discussion with current practitioners and guest speakers.

TESOL Curriculum Guide

Format

Courses will typically be offered in the evening during Semester I and II, during the summer, and in a combination of face-to-face and hybrid formats.

Concentration requirements and course descriptions

A total of four courses (12 credit hours) are required to complete the concentration in TESOL.

Required course:

ENGL 461 - TELL I Methods, Materials, and Collaboration

This course offers participants and preservice/inservice teachers a foundation for successful instruction of English learners via a focus on the domains of methods and principles of instruction, materials development, and collaboration.

Elective courses:

ENGL 360 - Studies in English Language and Linguistics

An introduction to the structural and social aspects of human language. Topics essential to prospective teachers are first and second language acquisition, usage, dialects, phonology, and syntax.

ENGL 463 - TELL III, Assessment, Collaboration, and Advocacy

This course offers participants and preservice/inservice teachers a foundation for successful instruction of English learners via a focus on the domains of language assessment, collaboration, and advocacy.

ENGL 467 - TELL II, Second Language Acquisition, Culture, and Professional Knowledge

This course offers participants and preservice/inservice teachers a foundation for successful instruction of English learners via a focus on the domains of second language acquisition (SLA), culture, and professional knowledge and growth.

ENGL 469 - PRACTICUM

This course functions as a forum to pair in in-school field placement in a U.S.-based P-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom or community ESL-related service, with the learning of successful educational practices and models in contemporary ESL/EFL education. Through in-class discussions and tasks, coupled with the field placement, the course creates a significant opportunity for students to reflect on and make connections between the knowledge and skills they have acquired during various components of the TESOL program, as well as the course content.

*Other courses may be taken upon approval.