Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Minor
Studying TESOL will equip you with the essential skills to teach English to non-native English speakers. In TESOL courses, you learn about the fundamental aspects of linguistics and language education. You will also get practical experience in classroom management and lesson planning.
Courses focus on understanding the components of language and the relationship between language and cultural values and practices. You will learn how to teach English by studying language acquisition theories and teaching methodologies. In the capstone practicum, you'll have the opportunity to get hands-on teaching experience.
It is not necessary to declare the minor to take TESOL courses.
The Minor in TESOL has particular value for students who:
- Want post-graduate flexibility to find work all in their field all over the world
- Plan to pursue graduate work in education, applied linguistics, or theoretical linguistics
- Are applying for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program, Peace Corps, or Teach for America after graduation
- Aim to work in curriculum design, instructional design, and language teaching
- Want a practical way to support immigrants and refugees in their communities
- Aspire to have careers in governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations
Fulfilling the Minor
Download a copy of your TESOL minor requirements with attention to the year you matriculated the university.
Course Descriptions
The majority of the TESOL minor courses are offered by CSLC faculty. You can find a full list of CSLC courses and their descriptions here. Occasionally, students are able to take coursework abroad and transfer it back to apply to their minor requirements. If you plan to do so, please consult with the TESOL DUSes as soon as possible.
Declaring the Minor
The CSLC recommends that you declare the minor before your junior year. However, if you declare the minor in your junior year, you can still complete the minor in plenty of time! Check out our recommended action plan for those declaring their minors in their junior year.
Contact Alessia Blad-Miller, Director of the CSLC, if you would like to declare.
Did you know?
1.5 billion people around the world are currently learning English. As English continues to expand as a medium for global communication, the demand for qualified English instructors increases.
"The TESOL minor has allowed me to reflect on my own language learning and use my personal experiences to help others. Through the courses I have taken, I learned not only how to teach grammar and how to structure a lesson, but also how to best support students in their personal goals, particularly in their desire for cultural understanding and broader communication, which are essential parts of learning a new language.
I was granted the opportunity to teach English in Germany after graduating through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. My experience with TESOL made me a better candidate for this fellowship and also prepared me for what being an English teaching assistant would entail. Being a part of the TESOL minor allowed me to pursue opportunities I would have otherwise felt incapable of doing.”
-Hye Sim Chung, Class of 2019
Meet our TESOL Alums:
Congratulations to Olivia Wright on the completion of her TESOL minor! Olivia taught the Spoken English Skills class as part of her TESOL Practicum this fall, and the CSLC is proud of her work.
Upon finishing the class, Olivia said:
"I am so happy to have done this minor! It has been one of the best parts of Notre Dame, and I hope to be able to showcase it as an alumna. Truly, I get so excited when I think of being a teacher one day."