The English as a Second Language education (ESL) degree will prepare you to teach English to children in grades K-12 within a public or private school setting, while laying the foundation for further graduate study.
English as a Second Language Education may be the right degree for you if you
- enjoy working with children
- are eager to serve
- passionate about teaching
- want to help people learn the English language
- are interested in a career in education
Why study English as a Second Language Education at Northwestern?
At UNW, you’ll get equipped to serve the next generation by learning how to break down language barriers. Here you will learn from seasoned teachers who share your faith and enjoy helping others learn.
The School of Education offers you the opportunity to travel to 100+ countries to learn how education is different outside the U.S.
Northwestern’s School of Education provides four levels of classroom practicum experience:
- The first level allows you to find your personal “fit” within the teaching profession.
- The second focuses on developing theory and skills related to diversity.
- The third engages you to apply methodologies within your chosen field by creating, teaching, and evaluating lessons in a school classroom.
- The final level is full-time student teaching in a chosen licensure field.
With additional credits, you can be recommended for dual licensure in ESL (Grades K-12) and elementary education (Grades K-6) with an academic emphasis in communication arts and literature education. The combination of ESL education and elementary licenses work together to support future students, and also have the benefit of adding flexibility to your teaching career.
The School of Education provides teacher education programs approved by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and as a result meet the state standards adopted for licensure programs as defined in state Rule 8710.2000 through 8710.8080. All licensure programs are aligned with INTASC (Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium) standards and the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice.
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My hope is that I can provide a space for people no matter where I am . . . to come together through language learning and celebrate our differences and similarities.
At Northwestern, we are very proud to be able to offer a program of the highest international standards so that you can teach anywhere in K-12 classrooms within the United States and anywhere in the world. This flexibility is an amazing tool that the Lord uses throughout the lives of our program alums in amazing ways. I always love to hear about their most recent opportunities and adventures.
I am an ESL teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). I started the ESL Program at a high school; we received many new students that came from other countries like Somalia, Iraq, Malaysia and Thailand. I am also the only ESL teacher at another high school. I spend my mornings at one school and my afternoons at the other. Half of my students are from Spanish-speaking backgrounds and the other half come from all over the world. There are 22 languages represented in my classroom. I have been teaching for MPS for two years and spent one year teaching in Bulgaria as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant or an ETA.
Careers in English as a second language education
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in English as a second language education.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Teaching in your area of specialty
- Private tutoring or nannying
- Creating/directing educational programs
- Curriculum development
- Instructional design (may require additional training in technology)
- Textbook editing
- Online education
- Student life/student affairs
- Corporate or business training and development or English
- teaching
- Children’s ministry
- English teachers overseas
- Teacher for US citizenship classes
What will I learn?
You will develop effective written and verbal communication skills and be able to teach English to children in grades K-12.
LIN 2226
Introduction to Linguistics
A study of the basic concepts of language and the history of English. Includes phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax.
ESL 3215
Language, School, and Society
Examination of the role of language in human interaction and how it reflects socioeconomic status, power, ethnicity, geographical origin, political and religious identity and gender. Implications for teaching and learning English as a second language.
ENG 3125
Structure of English Grammar
A course in analyzing the structures of English sentences in all their various forms. The course includes theories of grammar and applications of syntactical analysis to writing, reading and teaching.
EDL 4325
Teaching Grammar for ESL
Study of English grammar with emphasis on how to effectively present English grammatical points to ESL students in K–12 school settings.
ESL 3315
Theory of Language Acquisition
Study of current research and theories in second language acquisition. Examination of second language learning process and variables that affect second language acquisition.
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Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our faculty include experts in their respective fields who want to help you grow in your faith while you earn your degree.
