B.A. TESOL

Program Highlights

WHY STUDY TESOL AT CONCORDIA? 

The TESOL program at Concordia University, Nebraska prepares competent, caring, inclusive and proactive TESOL professional educators who make a difference in their students’ lives. Graduates of the TESOL program are also equipped to present the Gospel, particularly in countries where traditional missionaries and church workers have trouble gaining access. 

Serve Abroad 

Studying, learning and growing goes beyond just your classes and experiences on campus. Serving abroad equips you with global life skills that no book or classroom can match. Concordia offers many different national and international mission trips to places like Guatemala, China, Haiti and Ethiopia so you can share God’s love while serving the world and discovering a different culture.  

Serve Abroad 
 
Study Abroad 

Many of your most memorable learning experiences in college will take place outside the classroom. At Concordia, you can go on study tours, experience service-learning opportunities and earn global internships to promote your intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth. 

Study Abroad 

TESOL Program Director

Meet the faculty

Meet our students

Accreditation

Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Degree Goals

A TESOL graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:  

• Demonstrate understanding of language as a system and use that knowledge to support English Language Learners (ELLs) as they acquire English language and literacy. 
• Use major concepts, principles, theories and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups to construct supportive learning environments for ELLs. 
• Use evidence-based practices and strategies related to planning, implementation and management of standards-based ESL and content instruction. 
• Implement a variety of standards-based teaching strategies and techniques for developing and integrating the English language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

Career Outcomes

English as a Second Language Teacher 

• Instruct students whose first language isn’t English is reading, writing and conversing effectively 
• Focus on conversational or job-related communication skills 

TESOL Administrator 

• Plan, implement and evaluate courses offered by ESL programs 
• Oversee teachers and help establish long-term objectives 

Curriculum Developer 

• Create instructional materials that teachers use in the classroom to facilitate learning 
• Analyze and evaluate education standards and implement curriculum for your school, ESL program or global ministries organization 

FAQs

Do I need to speak another language fluently in order to be a TESOL professional?

You don’t need to be fluent in another language in order to teach English to speakers of other languages. In fact, in the classroom, you generally will only speak English to immerse your students in the English language, which will help them learn much more quickly. However, it might be helpful to learn a few phrases, such as “hello,” “sit down” or “quiet, please.”

As you work inside and outside the classroom, you’ll probably learn more phrases, especially if you’re teaching in a foreign country. Struggling to learn the native language of your students will help you become a better TESOL teacher, as you’ll be able to understand what your students are going through and develop strategies for language learning that you can teach them.​​​

What kind of unique opportunities are available at Concordia Nebraska for TESOL majors?

Concordia University, Nebraska offers TESOL majors many opportunities for short-term mission trips and study abroad or longer summer internships and practicum experiences. 

Locally, you can gain valuable TESOL field experience in local schools, immigrant outreach ministries and organizations like the People’s City Mission in Lincoln.  

Concordia Association of Students in Education (CASE) sponsors multicultural trips each year to Lincoln and Omaha working with children to teach English as a second language in after-school and weekend classroom programs. 

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To have the best chances of getting a good job teaching English overseas, what do I need?

To prepare to teach English as a second language overseas, you’ll need  

• a TESOL diploma  
• Classroom experience either in the form of actual teaching, conversation hours or working with international students  

Having international travel experience is a huge plus because it demonstrates to prospective employers that you have survived being overseas already. You can receive all of these things through Concordia University, Nebraska’s TESOL program. 

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