TESOL at Elon

TESOL & Professional Writing and Rhetoric

What is TESOL?

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is professional field focused on the theory and practice of teaching the English language. TESOL professionals work in the United States and in global contexts. Given the array of settings for TESOL work, professionals must be aware of the contextual influences (i.e., culture, politics, etc.) on language teaching. Studies in TESOL prepare students to analyze the settings in which they teach and to apply research-informed theories about language and teaching to adjust their practices to better serve their local students.

TESOL at Elon

Although Elon currently does not offer a certificate or minor in TESOL, Dr. Jessie Moore, Assistant Professor of English, teaches several introductory TESOL courses. Some students take these courses to learn more about working with English Language Learners in U.S. PreK-12, while others hope to teach abroad or pursue graduate studies in TESOL. This web page introduces several options for studying TESOL at Elon, and Dr. Moore is happy to visit with interested students about the best options for pursuing their future plans. Students and faculty can contact her at jmoore28@elon.edu or 278-5649.

Future TESOL Courses

ENG 206: Introduction to TESOL (Offered every Fall)
ENG 270-OL: Around the World in 22 Days
ENG 310: Cross-cultural Rhetorics

Professional Writing and Rhetoric

The Professional Writing and Rhetoric concentration in the Department of English supports study in cross-cultural rhetorics. Students could tailor this sample track to their research and teaching interests in TESOL. (See http://www.elon.edu/pwr)

Other Courses that Could Enhance Your Studies in TESOL

EDU 211: Intro to Education
ENG 211: Writing for the Professions
ENG 219: Writing Studies Survey
ENG 205: Grammar
ENG 302: History of the English Language
ENG 303: Linguistics
ENG 319: Writing Center Workshop
Foreign Language Classes
GST 401: Latinos in the U.S.
INT 141: International Relations
INT 221: The World in the 20th C
SOC 121: Cross-Cultural Encounters

Undergraduate Research

“Undergraduate Research is an effort to discover something new, or to look at something from a new perspective. Students may earn academic credit for research undertaken with a faculty mentor. . . . Undergraduate research credit can be obtained by registering for a course numbered 499 and is limited to students with sophomore, junior or senior standing and a minimum GPA of 2.5. A limit of 8 credit hours of under-graduate research can be applied toward graduation.” (Elon Academic Catalog, p. 39)

Undergraduate Research would require participation in weekly meetings, a weekly journal, a review of relevant literature, participation in data collection and analysis, and a research presentation (at SURF or a TESOL or SLW conference).

Current possible research topics:

Assist with a Study of Second Language Writing Resources at Elon
Assist with a Descriptive Study of ESL Programs in Alamance County
Assist with a survey of TESOL resources
Propose a topic

If you are interested in Undergraduate Research, you need to complete a 499 registration form and see Dr. Jessie Moore (jmoore28@elon.edu) for additional planning paper work.