Minors in English as a Second Language (ESL)

Description

The programs in ESL will likely serve primarily two groups of Calvin College students: (1) those who do not seek teacher certification but who wish to teach English to nonnative speakers of English, either in nontraditional educational settings within the United States and Canada or in a variety of settings outside the United States and Canada, and (2) those who wish to be certified to teach in elementary and secondary schools in the United States and Canada.

The programs proposed here resonate deeply with the vision of the college and should help students put that vision into action in many parts of the world. Those who study ESL at Calvin College will have the opportunity to examine language, languages, and language-teaching in the light of some distinctively Christian concerns and emphases.

They will consider the implications of the proposition that language is a gift from God. They will be asked to grapple with the nature of the responsibilities that come with using the gift of language--with themselves, with others, and with God. And they will be asked to respond to the languages and cultures in the world in the light of the nature of God’s creation.

The Common Courses

To fulfill any of the three ESL minors, students must take the following courses:

  • Communication Arts and Sciences 216, Phonetics (three hours)
  • English 334, Linguistics (three hours) or Spanish 340 , Spanish Phonology
  • English 335, Sociolinguistics and Issues in Language Education (three hours)
  • English 338, Grammar for Teachers of ESL (three hours)
  • IDIS 301, Introduction to English as a Second Language for Elementary Teachers, or IDIS 302, Introduction to English as a Second Language for Secondary Teachers, both of which carry three hours of credit. Calvin students should select the course that focuses on learners of the ages they are most likely to work with. For the elementary and secondary education minors in ESL, this course should be taken concurrently with Educ. 303 or 590.

Education Minor Requirements

These courses are required for the elementary and secondary education ESL minors but not for the interdisciplinary minor.

  • Education 303, Practicum in ESL (three hours), or Education 590 (two hours) for certified teachers in the ESL endorsement program. This course should be taken concurrently with IDIS 301/302.
  • IDIS 356/357, World Languages Pedagogy (three hours)

A summary of the education ESL minors is available from the Education Department.

Interdisciplinary Minor Requirements

These courses are required for the interdisciplinary minor but not for the elementary or secondary educational ESL minors.

  • Sociology 253, Intercultural Communication (three hours)
  • An approved elective (two to four hours). Each student must also take an elective course relating to communication, language, culture, the production and interpretation of written texts or oral discourses, or the nature of the situation in which the student may work someday. See the back of this brochure for a list of suggested elective courses.

Suggested Elective Courses

  • An advanced course in a foreign-language department
  • Classics 241, Vocabulary Development through Latin and Greek Roots (two hours)
  • Classics 242, Biological and Medical Vocabulary from Greek and Latin (two hours)
  • CAS/Educ. 311, Child Language Development (three hours)
  • CAS 325, Rhetorical and Communication Theory (three hours)
  • CAS 330, International Communication (three hours)
  • Educ. 322, Introduction to Methods of Teaching Reading: Elementary (three hours)
  • Educ. 513, Cognition, Learning, and Literacy Development (three hours)
  • Eng. 337, History of the English Language (three hours)
  • Eng. 339, English Grammar (three hours)
  • Eng. 357, Teaching of Writing (three hours)
  • Geog. 320, Introduction to Cultural Geography (three hours)
  • Hist. 356, Social and Cultural History of the United States (three hours)
  • Phil. 378, Philosophy of Language and interpretation (three hours)
  • Pol. Sci. 207, Introduction to International Politics (three hours)
  • Psych. 334, Cognitive Psychology (four hours)
  • Rel. 251, Christianity and the World’s Religions (three hours)
  • Soc. 153, Cultural Anthropology (three hours)
  • Soc. 250, Diversity and Equality in North American Society (three hours)
  • Span. 304, Spanish-English Linguistics (three hours)
  • TWDS 201, Introduction to Third World Development (three hours)
  • Independent Study. Some students may wish to propose a course of independent study in which they observe the teaching of ESL, practice teaching ESL, and then reflect on and write about their experiences.

 

 

Three Options

When you choose to minor in ESL at Calvin College, you must choose one of the three ESL minors: interdisciplinary , elementary education, or secondary education.

The interdisciplinary minor in ESL is appropriate for students who are not education majors. Students in the interdisciplinary minor may intend to use their ESL training to teach in nontraditional educational settings in the United States or Canada, or they may intend to teach in missions or non-missions settings in foreign countries.

The elementary-education minor in ESL is appropriate for students who are pursuing a degree in elementary-education. The elementary education minor will secure an ESL endorsement on a state of Michigan teaching certificate.

The secondary-education minor in ESL is appropriate for students who are pursuing secondary-education majors or those who are interested in adult education. The secondary-education minors in ESL will secure an ESL endorsement on a state of Michigan teaching certificate.

Student Teaching

Students enrolled in the interdisciplinary minor in ESL are not required to student teach. However, the state of Michigan requires students enrolled in the elementary- and secondary-education minors in ESL to complete a semester-long student-teaching experience (worth twelve semester hours of credit) in an ESL setting. During that time, students should be enrolled in IDIS 301 or 302, which will serve as the seminar accompanying their student teaching. Ideally, they should do their student teaching in ESL (and enroll in IDIS 301 or 302) after they have student taught in their major (or three-minor program) and taken a 359 course in the appropriate department.

Additional State of Michigan Requirements

Students enrolled in the elementary- and secondary-education minors in ESL must also demonstrate the following competencies:

Written and Spoken Rhetoric. Students must complete English 101 with a minimum grade of C, and they must successfully complete CAS 100, 101, 200, or 214.

A Foreign Language. Students "must demonstrate a competency in a foreign language that is equivalent to two years study in college or to four years in high school with a minimum grade of C” (Calvin College Catalog, 1997/98, p. 71).

Education 302-303. If possible, students should have their placement in a school for Education 302-303 be in a classroom where ESL instruction regularly takes place.