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College of Letters and Science English as a Second Language Minor

Minor

The English as a Second Language program, also known as ESL, is housed in the Department of World Languages and Literatures and is offered as a interdisciplinary minor at UW-Stevens Point.  Courses are designed to give students a framework in linguistics applied to second language education.  The program provides students with the skills, methods, strategies and practicum experience for working with English language learners. With an introduction to linguistics, an introduction to theories of second language acquisition, as well as the knowledge you will need to work effectively with all age levels, this program has many present-day applications.  Applications for the minor include those who may work with, hire, train or service English language learners on a daily basis. Having a knowledge base of English as a Second Language can be very helpful in a variety of fields. 

The minor is available to undergraduate students who are not pursuing teaching degrees or for those who are pursuing teaching degrees but not interested in pursuing the ESL teaching license.  

Requirements 

This minor also is for undergraduate students not pursuing a general education degree. The ESL minor offers students a “background in teaching” English as a Second Language through an introduction to linguistics, an introduction to theories of second language acquisition, and knowledge of how to teach effectively at all age levels. This minor does not include a student teaching requirement, but rather a practicum.

Consists of a minimum of 16 credits (not including the World Languages prerequisite requirement).  The prerequisites are below.  The World Language prerequisite equals two semesters of college level foreign language or equivalent high school experience (8 credits). Test-out placement exams are available by appointment. 


Prerequisites

  1. Demonstrated proficiency in English
  2. World languages requirement (totaling 8 credits)

For more information, visit the Course Catalog, search by the name of this program, and filter by semester.   

Sample Graduation Plan (Spanish Teaching Certification) with ESL Minor

For more information contact the ESL Advisor and Program Coordinator

Dr. Tobias Barske
Assistant Dean, School of Humanities and Global Studies
tbarske@uwsp.edu