Minor in Teaching English as a Second Language

A minor in teaching English as a second language (TESL) requires the completion of 18 hours of specialized coursework. This program is designed for students already seeking an initial license in another content area who wish to gain expertise in the education of English language learners in the K-12 public school setting. Students interested in pursuing TESL must be approved for admission to the minor by meeting statewide teacher education program admission requirements. Advising and admission to the minor are administered through the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (TEAL) in the College of Education.

The criteria for admission include 45 earned credit hours, a GPA of 2.5 or above, a major in a subject area for which there is teacher licensure (elementary education, special education, secondary or middle grades education, foreign language education, etc.), a grade of C or above in MDSK 2100 or equivalent, passing scores on the SAT, ACT, or Praxis Core tests, and the recommendation of their major advisor. After admission to the minor, advising is offered through the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education in collaboration with advising in the student’s major department. The minor is designed to be coordinated with junior and senior level coursework in the major, with the final semester that includes an advanced seminar/ practicum in TESL. Successful completion of the minor will lead to a recommendation for North Carolina add-on K-12 licensure in ESL.

Link to Planning Sheet

For more information contact:

Dr. Joan Lachance
Director, TESL Minor Program
JLachance@uncc.edu