Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Our students are well-prepared for the dynamic world of English-language teaching—globally and in the United States.

The undergraduate certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) is designed to provide students with an overarching background in language use, language learning and culture. Housed in the linguistics department, this minor opens up opportunities for students to work as trained English teachers around the world. 

  • Gain foundational knowledge and skills for English teaching
  • Tap into professional opportunities in a fast-growing global field
  • Explore English grammar and communication from the perspective of learners using English as an additional language

CU Boulder ranks in the top 40 best schools for linguistics in the country

(College Factual, 2024)

Gain hands-on experience teaching or tutoring with a local English as a second language (ESL) provider through our practicum

The TESOL minor is taught by well-respected faculty experts, including a board member for the TESOL International Organization and the co-editor in chief of the Journal of the Learning Sciences

Be successful.

Be prepared to create opportunities for meaningful human connections across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

 

Work full time or part time in community colleges, community-based organizations and public schools

 

Technical education teachers, instructional coordinators, translators and elementary school teachers are common opportunities to apply what you learn from this minor

 
$58,590

Mean annual salary for adult basic and secondary education and ESL teachers

(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Academic Plan & Requirements

The minor in TESOL is open to all interested students. However, the coursework might be particularly relevant to students from social science, humanities, speech or language, foreign language, international affairs, and communication programs.

The minor requires a total of 18 credit hours of TESOL linguistic courses and TESOL-related coursework, 9 of which must be at the upper-division level.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.