The new minor in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (16TEFLM) has gained considerable traction from students across disciplines. Since January 2020, 21 students have signed up for it. Many of the students earning this minor are contemplating teaching English abroad after they graduate. They are aware that there is a tremendous need for trained English teachers worldwide. The British Council estimates that the number of English language learners will reach two billion in the next decade. Currently, there are as many people learning English in China as there are people living in the US.
The TEFL minor consists of 15 courses, three of which will be offered this fall.
FL 436 Perspectives on Teaching English as New Language (asynchronous). It also satisfies the USD co-requisite for GEP.
FL 424 Linguistics for ESL Professionals (asynchronous).
FL 427 Methods and Materials in Teaching ESL. Face-to-face on Tuesdays from 4:30-7:15.
All three courses will be offered in the spring as well. For a student getting started with the minor, I recommend that they take FL 436 Perspectives on Teaching English as a New Language which provides an excellent overview of the historical, legal, cultural and pedagogical issues of learning English as a New Language. Students also delve into the complexity of multiculturalism in US society and the challenges that immigrant and refugee families face.