Teaching English as a Second Language

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Program Overview

The Teaching English as a Second Language Major introduces students to the opportunities and requirements for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL), including the social, cultural, and linguistic factors that influence the effective acquisition of a second language and principles, methods, and techniques of effective second-language instruction in cross-cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on the role of teaching the English language as ministry, both within and outside the United States.

Every undergraduate student pursuing a four-year degree at Johnson earns a double major – a major in Bible and Theology and a major of their choice, like Teaching English as a Second Language. Click here to learn more about the Bible and Theology major.

Core Classes

Intercultural Studies Core

Cultural Anthropology
This course is an introduction to the social science known as cultural anthropology. Readings, films, websites, lectures, reports, and an exam provide a survey of vocabulary, concepts, and illustrations related to this branch of anthropology. Class lectures, outside reading, and films provide more in-depth case studies on the Near East Bedouin, Western Apache, and Old Order Amish, among others.

Introduction to Intercultural Studies

Intercultural Communication

This course examines the unique problems and strategies for communicating the gospel effectively in intercultural contexts. Special attention is given to the student’s personal role in intercultural communication, including language, behavior, and sensitivities needed to bridge cultural boundaries.

Teaching Cross-Culturally

Strategies for Intercultural Engagement

Cross-Cultural Internship Preparation

Typically completed during the spring term, this course consists of orientation meetings, required paperwork, required reading, cultural research, application for the student’s internship and other necessary preparations for the field internship.

Cross-Cultural Internship

This internship provides on-the-job training under the supervision and guidance of an experienced missions practitioner where students are given opportunities to apply classroom instruction in cross-cultural situations. Internships enable students to gain ministry experience in their area of concentration in a cross-cultural setting. The term “cross-cultural” refers to cultural “distance,” whether geographical, theological, linguistic, or social, without regard to “foreign” or “home” distinctions. Internships test students’ aptitude for intercultural ministry, provide a laboratory for the application of classroom-learned theory, and offer exposure to life and practice on the cross-cultural field, all under the supervision and mentoring of an experienced and successful practitioner. Three-credit 10-week (minimum) internships include a minimum 300 hours of cross-cultural work, which students normally complete during the summer between their junior and senior years.

Cross-Cultural Internship Assessment

Typically this course is completed during Fall Session 1, upon successful completion of ICMI 3521 and ICMI 3522. During this course following the internship, students will successfully complete all paperwork and other debriefing requirements for their time on the field in internship. Elements such as debriefing, field reports, and supporter reports are a part of this course. Successful completion of all course components is required.

God’s Story-Our Story

Living & Leading Cross-Culturally

Teaching English Program

English as a Second Language/EFL Methods & Materials

This course examines the four second/foreign-language learning skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and introduces students to a variety of instructional methodologies developed by ESL practitioners. Attention is also given to the teaching of grammar, the creation and use of placement and testing instruments, the critical examination of classroom texts, the study of contemporary theories of second/foreign language teaching, and to further study of current theory regarding language acquisition. Development of classroom lessons implementing methodologies discussed in class, especially the production of instructional visuals, is emphasized.

Topics in English as a Second Language/EFL Instruction

This senior-level course completes the examination of the four second/foreign language learning skills begun in ICEL 3360 ESL/EFL Methods & Materials by stressing strategies for teaching reading and writing. The course provides more in-depth study of teaching methods, pronunciation instruction techniques, lesson planning, and English for Special Purposes. The course also examines the use of video production and instructional technology for the ESL classroom, explores topics in curriculum development, and examines ESL standards by grade/age level. Additionally, students investigate research in ESL classroom communication, the role of culture in ESL instruction, development of ESL ministries, and other relevant topics.

Introduction to Linguistics

This course introduces the process of language analysis with the goal of enhancing the student’s ability to learn language. Students gain a framework for understanding and identifying the sound systems and grammatical structures of different languages.

Second Language & Culture Acquisition

This course introduces students to the process of language and cultural acquisition among people served on the field. An array of tools and practices are introduced.

Sociolinguistics

This course offers a view of language as a context-dependent social phenomenon. Students examine how cultural attitudes, expectations, behaviors, and contexts affect the use of language. With a particular emphasis on multilingual communities, this course introduces foundational principles for socio-linguistic survey.