About the English as a Second Language (ESL) Minor
There is a growing need for ESL teachers in Wyoming and across the country. That’s where our TESOL-accredited ESL minor comes in. During this program, you’ll learn techniques and up-to-date methods for teaching English as a second language to students of varying ages.
The ESL minor consists of 15 credit hours that you’ll take online or on campus. Course topics include second language acquisition, essential sociolinguistics, issues in multicultural education and more! Upon completion of this minor, students may be eligible to apply for the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board ESL teacher endorsement.
Students must be working toward the Wyoming teacher certification (or already in possession of their teaching certificate) to receive an ESL teaching endorsement. Not currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at the University of Wyoming? Check out our graduate certificate in English as a second language and receive the same endorsement!
As an ESL teacher, you’ll make an impact in the daily lives of your students. All ESL minor students complete an internship where they work in a classroom setting and assist students who are learning English.
Complete the ESL Minor online
Begin teaching English as a second language by adding this minor to your degree! You can complete courses online or in a hybrid format. These flexible options allow you to do coursework from anywhere and add an accredited endorsement to your resume.
Request InfoLearn more about the University of Wyoming's online programming!
What can you do with an ESL minor?
The ESL minor is great preparation for teaching English as a second language to both children and adults. It’s also a relevant program for those studying related fields, like speech pathology. Many of our graduates go on to become mainstream classroom teachers or ESL teachers, while others become administrators, speech pathologists, professors or English teachers for adults.
Here are some of the places UW grads are making a difference:
- Laramie County School District
- Natrona County Schools
- Carbon County School District One
- Carbon County School District #2
- Campbell County School District
- Fremont County School District
- Denver Public Schools
- Poudre School District
- Sweetwater County School District 1
- Jefferson County Public Schools
- Adams 12 Five Star Schools
- Aurora Public Schools
- State of Wyoming
- Wyoming Department of Education
The ESL endorsement is a great addition to any education-related degree. Here are some of the roles you may pursue after graduation:
- ESL teacher
- Speech pathologist
- DLI teacher (Dual Language Immersion)
- Spanish teacher
- Classroom teacher
- Principal
- International student advisor
- Assistant professor
- Lecturer
- English learning coach
"I would encourage anyone and everyone to get out there and take the ESL endorsement. It’s beneficial for mainstream teachers and ESL teachers to have strategies and methods to bring into your classroom to best suit the needs of all your students."
- Shelby Jorgenson | B.S. ‘15
