TESOL Teaching Major
UNI is the only university in the state to offer a major in TESOL Teaching.
The TESOL Teaching major is designed for students who plan to teach English to K-12 speakers of other languages, either as an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher or as a content area teacher who has emergent bilingual students in class.
As a TESOL Teaching major, you’ll develop the skills and specialization needed to work with a diverse and growing population of students as well as the knowledge and experience to provide meaningful and effective education.
Coursework provides an understanding of cultural contexts in teaching, how languages are learned, and how to teach English. As part of this teaching major, you will also meet requirements for the K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement in the state of Iowa. TESOL Teaching majors are prepared to teach K-12 or adult students, either in the U.S. or internationally.
Many TESOL Teaching majors also obtain a Spanish or French minor or a Literacy Education reading endorsement.
Click here for more information on TESOL Teaching major classes and program requirements.
100%
Pass Rate
Our recent graduates in TESOL had a 100 percent pass rate on the Praxis II exam.
Learn more about TESOL Teaching
Fill out your information here to receive communication about this major.
Contact us directly at:
Department of Languages and Literatures
1001 Bartlett Hall
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0506
langlit@uni.edu
Phone: 319.273.2821
Fax: 319.273.5807
TESOL Club
The TESOL Club's goal reaches beyond their focus in English as a second or foreign language, and ultimately works to make the UNI campus, Cedar Valley and beyond a more progressive, tolerant and welcoming place for everyone.
Educator Prep
Students in UNI’s educator preparation programs acquire more than 700 hours of hands-on classroom experience before graduation. This is done through more than 350 school district partnerships, 9 Iowa student teaching centers, and one out of state & international student teaching center that coordinates all out of state and international student teaching placements.
Field Experience
As a TESOL Teaching major, you will have three field experiences in which you will explore, define and sharpen your skills as a future classroom teacher. Your teaching experience will be capped off with semester-long student teaching which can be done in Iowa, throughout the United States or overseas.
TESOL Club
The TESOL Club's goal reaches beyond their focus in English as a second or foreign language, and ultimately works to make the UNI campus, Cedar Valley and beyond a more progressive, tolerant and welcoming place for everyone.
Educator Prep
Students in UNI’s educator preparation programs acquire more than 700 hours of hands-on classroom experience before graduation. This is done through more than 350 school district partnerships, 9 Iowa student teaching centers, and one out of state & international student teaching center that coordinates all out of state and international student teaching placements.
Field Experience
As a TESOL Teaching major, you will have three field experiences in which you will explore, define and sharpen your skills as a future classroom teacher. Your teaching experience will be capped off with semester-long student teaching which can be done in Iowa, throughout the United States or overseas.
Community Engagement
Working with local communities is an important part of the TESOL Teaching experience. As part of coursework, you will have the opportunity to engage with local immigrant and refugee communities to do things like teach adult English learners, provide after-school support to students, and participate in community activities.
Careers
This major offers excellent preparation for vocations such as:
- Teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) both within the United States and in other countries
- Developing instructional materials--including resources for assessing language fluency
- Working in government agencies and non-profit organizations in international settings.
Courses
Cultural Aspects of Language and Language Teaching
Investigation of relationship between language and culture and the interactions among language, social institutions, cultural beliefs, and individual behavior. Applications for teaching English to non-native speakers.
Principles and Practices in Language Teaching
Pedagogical principles and practical guidelines for developing effective teaching practice including adaptations for varied cultural contexts. Topics include the following: lesson planning; acquisition, design, and adaptation of instructional materials; curriculum development; and classroom management.
Constructing Cross-Cultural Bridges
Within a Study Abroad experience, exploring multiple components of a specific culture firsthand; attention to the interrelationships among various cultural components such as history, religion, social values and practices, community organization, and language.
Related Majors & Minors
Languages and Literatures Features
Final Thursday Reading Series featuring Gail Lynn
Thu, Jan 30 2025
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Hearst Center for the Arts, 304 West Seerley Blvd., Cedar Falls