TESOL, Minor - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

TESOL

Develop expertise in linguistics, language teaching methods and cross-cultural communication while gaining practical experience through community outreach programs.
2026
Degree
Minor
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
5
Credit
20 hrs.
Full-time
- -
Part-time
- -
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Linguistics

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) minor at UNH prepares you to teach English effectively in both local and global communities. Here you'll be able to develop expertise in linguistics, second language acquisition theories, language teaching methods, and cross-cultural communication while gaining practical experience through community outreach and service-learning opportunities.

Whether you're planning to combine this minor with education, social work, English, world languages, or another major, the TESOL minor equips you with valuable, transferable skills for teaching in diverse and multilingual settings. Through our connections with various language education programs and organizations, you’ll gain a strong foundation to pursue graduate studies, teaching certification pathways beyond the program, or teaching opportunities worldwide. 

Linguistics Program

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Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Soo Hyon Kim
Associate Professor
SooHyon.Kim@unh.edu
Hamilton Smith Hall, Room 149n, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-5290

What is TESOL?

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) minor assists in the preparation to teach English to non-native speakers. You’ll be introduced to topics in linguistics, grammar, theory and methods of language teaching, as well as curriculum development. You’ll also develop a greater awareness of world languages and cultures. Combine this minor with studies in education or English teaching to pursue certification, or with other languages, social work or justice studies to pursue graduate studies or teaching positions in a variety of settings,either in the United States or around the world.

Why study TESOL at UNH?

The TESOL minor at UNH is a great fit if you’re interested in teaching the English language at home or abroad. As a student of the linguistics program and the College of Liberal Arts, you’ll have access to language and linguistics organizations, and outreach programs working in the surrounding communities. The college is home to the English as a Second Language Institute.

Potential career areas

  • Adult education
  • English language programs
  • Interpreting
  • Peace Corps
  • Private language tutoring
  • Social work
  • Teach for America

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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The TESOL minor is a set of courses that are related to teaching English to speakers of other languages. This minor primarily is for students who are interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages, whether that be teaching English abroad or teaching ESL students in U.S. public schools (K-12). It is also appropriate for students who are going into social work or other professions that require regular interaction with nonnative English speakers.

The TESOL minor will not certify students to teach in New Hampshire public schools (K-12). For that purpose, students must complete the ESL certification program that is offered at the graduate level by the Education and English departments. However, the coursework in this minor will provide a very good foundation for students who want to later pursue ESL certification or an M.A. in TESOL at UNH or another institution.

02
Requirements for the Program
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  • Students must receive a C- or better in each course and achieve a 2.0 GPA in the five courses.
  • No more than eight transfer credits will be accepted.
  • Academic policies related to minors.
Required Courses
ENGL 715Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory and Methods4
ENGL 716Curriculum, Materials and Assessment in English as a Second Language4
Select one of the following courses on the structure of English:4
ENGL 791
English Grammar
ENGL/LING 405
Introduction to Linguistics
Select two of the following approved TESOL electives:8
EDUC 550
Language and Linguistic Diversity in Schools
ENGL 791
English Grammar 1
ENGL/LING 405
Introduction to Linguistics 1
ENGL/LING 719
Sociolinguistics Survey
ENGL 752
History of the English Language (WI)
ENGL/LING 790
Special Topics in Linguistics (when offered on a TESOL-related topic (WI))
LLC 791
Methods of Foreign Language Teaching
Special topics courses that are related to TESOL 2
Total Credits20
1

Whichever was not taken before

2

The TESOL coordinator can provide you with a list of available courses for a particular semester.

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