Linguistics & Teaching English as a Second Language, BALAS (TESL)
Overview
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Linguistics & Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
The BALAS in Linguistics + TESL introduces students to two overarching questions: How do speakers of different languages learn and use English as an additional language? How to teach and assess English learners across different developmental stages and proficiency levels in different contexts? Linguistics + TESL majors Students will learn about how linguistic, cognitive, cultural, and societal factors contribute to second language acquisition, and how these can account for second-language developmental trajectories across individual learners of different backgrounds and characteristics in varying instructional and naturalistic settings. Linguistics + TESL majors make use of developments from a range of disciplines that include anthropology, English, global studies, psychology, and curriculum and instruction, as well as various disciplines housed in the School of Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Linguistics & Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum hours required major and supporting course work. Minimum required course work equates to a total of 41 credit hours of Linguistics and TESL courses, including at least 8 hours of foreign languages. Please see your academic advisor. A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours) Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
fulfilled by LING 301 | ||
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
fulfilled by LING 100 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Science | ||
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required) | 0-20 | |
Orientation and Professional Development
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAS 101 | Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
| OR | ||
| LAS 100 & LAS 101 | Success in LAS for International Students and Design Your First Year Experience | 3 |
| OR | ||
| LAS 102 | Transfer Advantage | 1 |
| Total Hours | 1 or 3 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LING Core Courses | 15 | |
| Intro to Language Science | ||
| Language in Globalization | ||
or LING 250 | American Voices: Linguistic Diversity in the US | |
| Elements of Syntax | ||
| Elements of Phonology | ||
| Elmnts Semantics & Pragmatics | ||
| TESL Core Courses | 15 | |
| Intro to TESL Methodology (AND) | ||
| Choose four (4) courses from the following list: | ||
| Engl Grammar for ESL Teachers | ||
| Second Lang Reading & Writing | ||
| Phonology for Second Language Teachers | ||
| Lang and Social Interaction I | ||
| Principles of Language Testing | ||
| Sociolinguistics I | ||
| Theoretical Foundations of SLA | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| EIL 465 | TESL in the Community | 3 |
| Foreign Language Requirement | 8 | |
| In addition the LAS foreign language language requirement, students must complete at least 8 hours in a second foreign language. One of the languages must be a non-Western language. | ||
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Sample Sequence
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Linguistics & Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and Education Requirements page.
First Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| LAS 101 - Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
| LING 100 - Intro to Language Science | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| LING 222 - Language in Globalization or LING 250 - American Voices: Linguistic Diversity in the US | 3 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| LING 301 - Elements of Syntax | 3 |
| EIL 411 - Intro to TESL Methodology | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| LING 302 - Elements of Phonology | 3 |
| Advanced TESL Elective course from list | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| LING 307 - Elmnts Semantics & Pragmatics | 3 |
| Advanced TESL Elective course from list | 3 |
| Second Language Other Than English (1st level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Advanced TESL Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Second Language Other Than English (2nd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Advanced TESL Elective course from list | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| EIL 465 - TESL in the Community | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 12 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 120
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Linguistics & Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the core principles, theories, and practices of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
- Analyze the structure and use of language by applying foundational concepts and theories from linguistics.
- Design and evaluate language instruction and assessment strategies using evidence-based pedagogical principles and best practices in second language teaching.
- Apply linguistic, pedagogical, and assessment knowledge to identify, analyze, and propose solutions to authentic challenges in second language teaching and learning contexts.
- Analyze the influence of linguistic, cultural, and multilingual diversity on language learning and adapt instructional practices to support diverse learner populations.
- Communicate linguistic and pedagogical concepts effectively through clear, organized, and audience-appropriate written and oral presentations.
Contact Information
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Linguistics & Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
Department of Linguistics
Linguistics Faculty
Linguistics Advising
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences