Teaching English as a Second Language

HomeBachelors ProgramsTeaching English as a Second Language

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 linguistics 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.

All four-year Johnson students complete two majors: one in Bible and Theology and one in their chosen field, such as Teaching English as a Second Language. Transfer students with substantial prior coursework may complete a reduced set of Bible and Theology requirements instead of the major. Learn more about the Bible and Theology curriculum here.

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
This course provides students with biblical and practical resources for exploring callings and possibilities in intercultural contexts, establishing healthy personal and
interpersonal skills for intercultural effectiveness, and embracing the role of higher education in equipping for intercultural service.

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
Students consider the challenges and joys of the cross-cultural educator. This course seeks to develop cultural teachers who understand their own culture of learning and teaching, while also becoming effective teachers in a context other than their own. Cross-cultural teaching methods, techniques, appropriate lesson planning, and more are addressed for those who teach in cross-cultural or multicultural settings. Special attention is given to teaching English and teaching the Bible in both formal and non- formal contexts, while students will also have opportunities to focus on teaching topics relevant to them.

Strategies for Intercultural Engagement
This course presents a comprehensive and dynamic view
of the mandate for Christian missionary activity. Students are challenged to a growing awareness that world evangelism is four-dimensional: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. A special emphasis is given to issues revolving around cultural and cross-cultural communication, along with how sensitivity in these areas can help further realize God’s global purpose.

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. Students will work with their academic advisor, the instructor of this course, and other faculty to pursue internship opportunities within their major and
concentration areas.

Cross-Cultural Internship
This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to
actual intercultural and/or multicultural contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various vocational tasks, observe intercultural service situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop intercultural and interpersonal skills. The internship generally occurs between students’ junior and senior years, and students should seek internship opportunities within their concentration area.

Cross-Cultural Internship Assessment
This course is typically completed during the fall semester,
upon students’ successful completion of ICST 3521 and ICST 3522. During this course, 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
This course invites students to explore how God’s story—as revealed in
scripture—intersects with their own stories—their passions, interests, callings, and vocations. Emphasis is placed on appreciating the coherence of the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation and developing missional approaches to local and global contexts in which students may live and work.

Living & Leading Cross-Culturally
This course focuses on practical strategies of evangelism and discipleship in a cross-cultural setting that result in indigenous-led churches which reproduce themselves by planting more churches. Special attention is given to contextualization, creative access strategies into closed countries, personal spiritual development, spiritual warfare, raising support, communicating with supporters, family dynamics, choosing an organization, and the changing role of the western missionary.

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.