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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program in Pennsylvania
As an education major or student specializing or minoring in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) / English as a Second Language (ESL), you’ll study theoretical and applied linguistics as you prepare to learn, teach and analyze language using methods and tools from contemporary linguistic theory.
Study Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at a Christian University
You can add the TESOL/ESL minor to any major. There are three tracks available, depending on a student's major. For students in teacher education programs, there are two options (one for middle level certification students and one for all other teacher education majors). The third option is for all other majors not receiving teacher education certification. Students who are already pursuing an education certification are also eligible for the Pennsylvania ESL Program Specialist (K-12) Certificate.
- ESL teacher
- Teacher aide
- English teacher
- Working as ESL teachers in Pennsylvanian public schools
- Teaching in bilingual schools in Philadelphia
- Instructing abroad in Haiti, China and Costa Rica
- Using English in Missions in Hong Kong
- Teaching middle school math outside Washington, D.C. with over half of the class as English Learners
- Teaching citizenship classes to adult refugees in Harrisburg
Many TESOL/ESL minors are interested in traveling to learn more about new cultures and languages. While this is not a minor requirement, traveling provides an important lens to see the world in new ways. Messiah University provides many ways you can choose to travel and study abroad.
- Cross-cultural courses: These three-week trips are a 3-credit course that take place during May term. You'll travel in groups with Messiah faculty to experiences diverse cultures. Visit the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement for a listing of the current destinations. This class takes the place of the final language requirement for Quest.
- Semester-long programs: Messiah University partners with multiple international colleges to provide you the opportunity to spend a semester learning and traveling in a new country. While there, take classes that can transfer to fulfill your degree requirements. Meet with your advisor early to make the most of this opportunity.
- Student teaching abroad: Spend half of your student teaching semester teaching at an international school. Visit the Messiah University Teacher Education Program page for more information. To learn more, watch this video.
- Fall break, spring break and summer service projects: Join a team of Messiah students to serve domestically or internationally. These shorter experiences provide opportunities to serve. Experience these projects through the Collabatory, the Agape Center or AROMA sports ministry.
As a part of the minor, there are 60 field hours embedded into the coursework and internship. You have the opportunity to be mentored by ESL professionals in public schools, adult literacy programs, private schools, church ESL programs or Migrant Education.
Messiah University has partnered with Migrant Education to provide Saturday events to teach STEAM related content to middle and high school Migrant Students. This event is called eSTEAM (education for science, technology, engineering, arts and math).
To learn more about this minor, please contact Tina Keller, Ph.D., at tkeller@messiah.edu to schedule an appointment.
You can also follow along on Facebook!
Programs related to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
In the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages:
TESOL/ESL Minor
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.