TESOL Minor

BYU’s Department of Linguistics offers a minor and a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Students may earn a minor or a minor plus certificate.

Note: For education majors, the TESOL K-12 minor is available to those earning a teaching major and leads to an ESL Endorsement. It is offered through the School of Education. Contact the David O. McKay School of Education Advisement Center for the Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) program.

Career Opportunities

TESOL minor students are qualified for many overseas positions teaching English as a foreign language. They may also work in various ESL programs in the United States and other English-speaking countries. Possible teaching settings include adult education classes, intensive English programs, and English language learning programs around the world. Students in any major may apply for the TESOL minor.

Difference between the TESOL certificate and the TESOL minor

The TESOL minor will be indicated on a student's official transcript, whereas the TESOL certificate will not. Requirements will be tracked by the MyMap system and the student's progress report. If all requirements are met, the minor will be awarded at the time of graduation. Students who also want to complete the TESOL certificate must provide evidence to the Linguistics and English Language Department that requirements have been met. Once the certificate requirements have been met, the department will prepare and mail the certificate to the student.

Choosing whether or not to complete the certificate depends largely on the student's career goals. A TESOL certificate is a term that is recognized around the world. It is viewed as more applied and usable in the professional world. A certificate may be particularly useful if a student plans to teach abroad.

Students may choose to complete either a minor only or a minor and a certificate.

Program Learning Outcomes

English Language Fundamentals: Demonstrate a foundational knowledge of the English language systems of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics and how these systems relate to the language competencies of listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.

Instructional Competence: Given the foundational knowledge of the English language systems and competencies, demonstrate fundamental competence in instructional methods and strategies when teaching English as a second or foreign language.

Faculty Advisors