Department of English at Illinois State University

Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) requires 18 hours coursework. Students enrolling in this program must have at least 2 years of a foreign language or equivalent at the college level in the case of a native speaker of English, or demonstrated proficiency in English at a level commensurate with the student’s role as a language model and instructor in the case of a non-native speaker of English. Students who wish to enroll in this minor should first meet with the undergraduate English Department advisor.

Course Requirements

  • Completion of ENG 341 by end of Fall semester of Junior year
  • Completion of ENG 343 in Spring semester of Junior year
  • Completion of ENG 344 in Spring semester of Junior year
  • Completion of ENG 345 in Fall semester of Senior year
  • Completion of ENG 346 in Fall semester of Senior year
  • 3 hours selected from ENG 241, 243, 310, and COM 370

An optional TESOL practicum, ENG 394, may be taken in addition to these 18 hours.

Minor Checklist and Application

For inquires into the TESOL minor, please contact Ryan Gray.

Approval Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language

Students of both graduate and undergraduate standing may obtain a state endorsement for Teaching English as a Second Language by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • Fulfill Teacher Education Certification requirements for the Standard Elementary and/or High School Certificate
  • Complete the 18 hours of coursework required for the Minor in TESOL
  • Obtain 100 clock-hours of ESL Clinical Experience or 3 months of teaching experience in English as a Second Language at the appropriate level (this practical experience may be obtained by enrolling in ENG 394)

Please note that these requirements are for students who enrolled under the 2003-2004 catalog or later. Students who enrolled under prior catalogs should check with the English Department advisor for those requirements.