Why consider a career in linguistics or Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)? In today's increasingly interconnected and multicultural world, personnel with such training and skills are in high demand in both the public and private sectors. In each Linguistics/TESL program at UWGB, students study language structure, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, second language assessment, ESL teaching methods and other language or culture-based electives as initial preparation for teaching in an ESL classroom or for graduate-level programs.

The Emphases

There are five different options that emphasize linguistics or Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at UW-Green Bay:

  1. A Major in Humanistic Studies with a Linguistics/TESL Emphasis
  2. A Minor in Humanistic Studies with a Linguistics/TESL Emphasis
  3. A TESL Certificate
  4. A Graduate TESL Emphasis in the MS program in Applied Leadership for Teaching and Learning (MALT) through Professional and Graduate Studies

Since there are a number of different TESL programs to choose from, it is important to meet with the Linguistics/TESL advisor to determine what your specific career objectives are and which track will be the best fit for you.  Internship opportunities in TESL are also available through the Brown County Literacy Council or through other local organizations.  UWGB also has an academic ESL program for English language learners, which has summer, fall and spring course offerings.

The Requirements

The 18-credit TESL Certificate for program requirements in Undergrad Catalog) is designed for students who want to teach in situations that do not require Wisconsin public school teacher licensure, such as teaching English overseas or in adult literacy programs or tutorial programs sponsored by community service organizations or private companies. To be eligible for the TESL certificate of completion program, students must either be candidates for a B.A. or B.S. degree or have already completed such a degree.

Within Humanistic Studies, the 41-credit interdisciplinary major emphasis in Linguistics/TESL and the 24-credit minor emphasis are both designed for students who wish to explore key linguistic, cultural, or pedagogical themes in greater depth. Both Linguistics/TESL emphases may or may not be combined with an ESL licensure program (approved by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction) for ages 6 to 12/13 (MC-EA) or all ages (EC-A).

For students wishing to teach ESL in Wisconsin public schools, an appropriate ESL license must be obtained. Completing the TESL Certificate or one of the Linguistics/TESL emphases in Humanistic Studies does not in and of itself qualify as an ESL license to teach in Wisconsin public schools. A full description of the ESL teacher licensure program and requirements at UW-Green Bay is available from the professional program in education.