Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Major | Minor

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Teach English with empathy, here and around the world

Help English language learners find their voice, in your own community and across the world.

TESOL at Goshen College prepares you to teach English to language learners with empathy, clarity and confidence, in classrooms and communities, locally and globally. You can work toward English-learner teaching licensure or follow a non-licensure track.

If you want to teach in a classroom, serve in an international setting or simply communicate better across cultures, TESOL pairs seamlessly with majors in education, global studies, Spanish and more. You’ll graduate ready to connect across cultures and make a real impact through language.

  • 3
    licensure paths — Elementary K–6, Secondary 5–12, and All-Grade P–12, plus a non-licensure track for students who want the coursework without certification
  • Unique
    as one of few U.S. colleges offering a TESOL major, minor, and teaching license — a combination that gives students flexibility most programs don't
  • 100%
    of program completers met Indiana's licensing requirements

    Made for people who want to connect across difference

    This program fits people who care about language, culture, helping others belong, and community. It’s also a natural way to take Goshen’s global strengths further: With Goshen’s Study-Service Term (SST), TESOL graduates also serve in K-12 classrooms, adult ESL programs, refugee and cross-cultural services and international teaching settings like the Peace Corps and language schools abroad.

    You won’t do it alone. With faculty mentors who have real TESOL experience and field placements in local schools, you’re supported and known by name as you build confidence in front of a classroom.

    What you’ll study

    You’ll explore linguistics, intercultural communication, and language-teaching methodologies and put them into practice through fieldwork and practicum experiences in real educational settings. The program prepares students for English Learner Licensure in several forms:

    • English Learners, Elementary K-6
    • English Learners, Secondary 5-12
    • English Learners, All Grade P-12
    • TESOL (non-licensure track)

    View the complete program requirements in our catalog.

    program requirements

    Where a TESOL Credential Takes You

    TESOL opens doors to careers in:

    • K-12 education
    • Adult ESL instruction
    • International English teaching (Peace Corps, volunteer service, private language schools)
    • Cross-cultural and refugee services
    • Language curriculum development

    It’s a valuable credential for careers in education, international development and nonprofit work. It strengthens any path where you’ll communicate across languages and cultures.

    • Directly after graduating, I left Goshen to accept my first teaching position in a Title I school in North Philadelphia. I taught in a Dual Language program, which meant I had to juggle two separate classes at the same time. One class was 4th Grade and the other was 5th Grade, neither of which I had taught during student teaching. I taught 3 subjects per grade level, which meant juggling 6 curriculums at once. It was one of the riskiest decisions I’ve ever made. Against all odds, I loved my first year of teaching. I spent the year realizing that my Goshen College degree had, in fact, prepared me for any teaching challenge, and especially, this one.

      Madeline Bollinger '25

      4th/5th Grade Dual Language Teacher Bayard Taylor Elementary School

    Paying for Goshen

    TESOL students are eligible for a variety of Goshen College scholarships, and most students receive financial aid.

    To see your own price after aid, run the net price calculator or explore your options at the financial aid and scholarships pages.

    Financial AidScholarships net price calculator

    Common questions about TESOL major 

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