How Concordia can prepare you to teach the English language

In an increasingly multicultural United States, professionals who are well-versed in the art of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) are essential. TESOL educators are trained in education as well as linguistic theories that are relevant to helping students who are learning a second language. At Concordia University, Nebraska, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in TESOL will propel you into the exciting professional world of second-language teaching, whether it’s locally or abroad.  

The TESOL major 

The TESOL curriculum at Concordia includes courses instructing students in educational philosophy and practice as well as those that are helpful for increasing cultural awareness. “Diverse Classrooms & Human Relations,” “Second Language Acquisition Teaching Methods” and “Cultural Anthropology” are all titles of courses included in the TESOL core. In addition, students must study at least six credits of a modern foreign language – they can choose from among Mandarin, Spanish or American Sign Language!  

The purpose for the selection of these TESOL courses is to provide students a foundational understanding of the English language, how to analyze it and what it means to learn it as a second language. The Bachelor of Arts in TESOL program emphasizes bilingual education, theories of second language acquisition and the cultural forces that influence English language-learning. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in TESOL elaborates on these topics and offers students real-world experience teaching English to speakers of other languages.  

The TESOL major at Concordia is designed for students who are not education majors; however, students who do pursue a B.S.Ed. in secondary, middle-level, elementary or early childhood education can declare an ESL endorsement that equips them with skills needed to incorporate English language instruction into their set of teaching abilities.    

Jobs for TESOL instructors 

Students who earn a TESOL degree may find that they prefer working with certain age groups. Luckily, there are job positions for those who teach the English language to anyone at any age who wishes to learn it. ESL educators can be found in a variety of settings, from adult community education programs to public elementary schools. In addition, some instructors may choose to design ESL curricula for their own use or the use of others.  

ESL education requires educators to communicate creatively. Because they will not share a native language with their students – and their students may not share the same native language as one another – they must find innovative ways to make lessons effective. Therefore, ESL educators must be skilled at conveying the goals of a lesson to each student in their class.  

On average, ESL educators earn around $60,000 annually, but this figure can vary by employer and region. Employment for ESL teachers in some regions is declining; however, new graduates from TESOL programs can still expect job openings as a result of employees who leave the workforce, such as to retire.  

Overseas opportunities  

As an ESL educator, you’ll be well-equipped to travel to various locations across the globe and teach the English language to non-native speakers who are interested in learning it. As a Christian, you can use this opportunity, if you so desire, to spread the Gospel to other parts of the world; you’ll be uniquely prepared to teach the English language along with the good news of the Gospel.  

TESOL is a culturally sensitive activity, as is spreading the Gospel. Educators must remain respectful toward others’ cultural practices while also helping them learn a language that can increase their education or employment opportunities. They must also maintain cultural respect when sharing the Gospel with those who are unfamiliar. For students who are interested in working as an English-language educator outside of the U.S., internship and study opportunities abroad during college are a good choice – they'll help you gain this cultural proficiency and get used to traveling! 

The B.A. and M.Ed. in TESOL at Concordia Nebraska are designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the concepts necessary to instruct students of all ages for whom English is a second language. Learn more about the bachelor’s program here and the master’s program here.