Currently: Potter College of Arts & Letters › Departments › English › Curriculum › Teaching English as a Second Language
Image rotator Image rotator Image rotator Image rotator
Print this page

Teaching English as a Second Language



Q: What does an ESL teacher do?
 A: An ESL teacher works with non-native speakers of English and helps them develop social and academic language skills. In addition, ESL teachers frequently are cultural ambassadors and even teachers of content areas (math, science, geography, social studies, etc.)

 Q: Where do ESL teachers work?
A: ESL teachers can work at elementary and secondary schools; community colleges; adult education programs; colleges and universities; private language institutes; and private businesses. These are just some of the possibilities that ESL teachers might have in the United States and abroad. 

 

Q: Is it hard to get a job as an ESL teacher?
A: That all depends on where you want to work. If you are interested in teaching in public schools, there are many opportunities. In private language institutes in the United States there will probably be fewer jobs. If one wishes to teach abroad, there are plentiful opportunities in various parts of Asia, Latin America, Africa and Eatern Europe.


Q: I don't know another language. Can I still teach ESL?
A: Yes. One need not be like a native speaker of another language in order to be a successful ESL teacher. However, the more you know, the more able you will be able to communicate with students and their parents. Likewise, you will have more insight into the variouis cultures from which they hail. Finally, learning a second language gives you much credibility in the in the eyes of your students because they know that you know how they feel.


Q: I'm interested in teaching ESL. Do you offer an ESL program at WKU?
A: Yes. We have a 15-hour program leading to an ESL endorsement at WKU. This endorsement allows one to teach ESL in Kentucky public schools. Coursework leading to the endoresment differs for undergraduate and graduate students. More information is found below.


Q: I'm interested. How do I apply?
A: Undergraduate students in good standing should contact Dr. Poole for advising. Graduate students should contact the Graduate College to learn more about entrance requirements.


Q: I'd like to apply; however, I work all day and live two hours away from Bowling Green. Is there anything I can do?
A: Fortunately, many of our classes are offered on-line or in the evening or summer. This makes it convenient for those who, for one reason or another, are not able to regularly attend class.

 


Q: I don't want to teach ESL, but I would like to take some coursework. Can I sign up for a class?
A: If you have been admitted to the university, yes, you may enroll in coursework.  In fact, many people who deal with non-native speakers of English can benefit by knowing more about such an already large and growing segment of the American population. Additionally, those who are current or aspiring foreign language teachers find our courses beneficial.

 

Q: I'm doing my MA in English; can I focus on TESL? Also, if I'm not planning to teach in public school, do I still need to obtain a state teaching certificate?

  A: Yes, MA students in the English Department may focus on ESL. See the following   page for more information: http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Academic/AHSS/English/ma.html Also, those students not wishing to teach in public schools do not need a state     teaching certificate. Such students generally teach in intensive English programs,  community colleges, and institiutions abroad."WKU offers a graduate certitficate for students interested in these options. Click here for more information: http://www.wku.edu/pcal/tesl"


Q: I still have more questions. Whom should I contact?

Alex Poole, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of English
TESL Program Director
Area of Specialization: TESL
270-745-5780
alex.poole@wku.edu

 

 

 


Program requirements for those seeking ESL endoresment for Kentucky public schools


Undergraduate students:

 

1. English 407 Linguistic Analysis

A study of current linguistic theory that includes the important levels of language as a means of communication, as well as various theories and applications of linguistic theory to other fields of study, particularly language teaching.


2. English 408 Sociolinguistics and Psycholinguistics

A study of how sociology and psychology contribute to the study of linguistics. Emphasis is given to social and regional dialects, first and second language acquisition, and speech production.

 

3. English 469 Introduction to TESL

A study of theories, methods, and approaches for teaching English as a second or foreign language and of other foreign languages

 

4. English 470 TESL Materials and Methods

A course designed to develop skills, procedures, and strategies for teaching and utilizing commercial materials and for developing teacher-made materials for teaching English as a second/foreign language and for other foreign languages.

 

5. Observation and teaching English as a Second Language under professional supervision. This consists of thirty (30) clock hours or more of ESL teaching.

 

6. Six semester hours of a modern (foreign) language (or its equivalent).

 

7. Certificaiton in elementary, middle grades, or secondary education.

 8. ESL Praxis exam score of 620 for those wishing to teach in the state of Kentucky.


Graduate Students:

 

1. English 407G Linguistic Analysis

A study of current linguistic theory that includes the important levels of language as a means of communication, as well as various theories and applications of linguistic theory to other fields of study, particularly language teaching.

 

2. English 408G Sociolinguistics and Psycholinguistics

A study of how sociology and psychology contribute to the study of linguistics. Emphasis is given to social and regional dialects, first and second language acquisition, and speech production.

 

3. English 565 Integrated TESL

Solid foundation in the theories of child-adult classroom-based language learning and methods for English language instruction. Field experiences in public schools or other appropriate settings away from campus are required. Sudents are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites.

 

4. English 566 Teaching and Testing ESL Grammar

Investigation of ESL learners' grammatical difficulties, approaches to solving them, and ways to test their grammatical development. Field experiences in public schools or other appropriate settings away from campus are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites.

 

5. Observation and teaching English as a Second Language under professional supervision. This consists of thirty (30) clock hours or more of ESL teaching.

 

6. Six semester hours of a modern (foreign) language (or its equivalent).

 

7. Certification in elememtary, middle grades, or secondary education.

 8. ESL Praxis exam score of 620 for those wishing to teach in the state of Kentucky.



Full-time Faculty


Lesa Dill, Ph.D., University of Georgia Associate Professor of English

Area of Specialization: Linguistics


Alex Poole, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University Assistant Professor of English TESL Program Director

Area of Specialization: TESL


Elizabeth Winkler, Ph.D., Indiana University Assistant Professor of English

Area of Specialization: Linguistics


Part-time Faculty


Ronald Eckard, Ph.D., Ball State University Professor of English (optional retiree) Area of Specialization: TESL

^ Top

Previous page: From Application to Graduation
Next page: Courses