Bachelor of Arts in English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language
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About

This degree is no longer accepting new students. Students who have already declared this major will continue to work with their academic advisors to complete their degree requirements.

Students interested in teaching English overseas may consider the Teaching English as a Second Language minor, which also leads to a TESOL Certificate through Professional and Continuing Education upon successful completion.

Students interested in teaching in elementary schools may consider the Multilingual and Elementary Education major, a dual-endorsement program that prepares students for elementary education certification and offers pathways to an English Language Learners endorsement, a Bilingual Education endorsement or both.

In the Bachelor of Arts in English as a Second Language Program, you’ll study language acquisition and teaching methods. You’ll also learn a second language yourself, with courses to choose from in Spanish and Japanese.

For more information, contact Gina Petrie at

Curriculum & Requirements Apply

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

English as a Second Language Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Program not accepting new students in 2026–2027.

This 54–55 credit English as a Second Language major requires the completion of a minor or certificate approved by an ESLG advisor.

The English as Second Language Program offers a major for those students preparing to teach English language learners who wish to demonstrate their own commitment to learning an additional language.

For those seeking a Washington State P–12 teaching certificate, this major does not provide an endorsable major, it does provide an endorsable minor.

Major Requirements:

  • Additional upper-division courses are required to meet the university's graduation requirements (UGR).
  • This major requires the completion of a minor—students need to declare a minor separate from the language requirement embedded in the major.

Grade Requirements: a cumulative GPA of ≥2.7 is required.

Required Core Courses
ENGL 360LANGUAGE STRUCTURE AND USE5
ESLG 470JOINING THE TESOL PROFESSION1
ESLG 472TEACHING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES3
ESLG 480SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION4
ESLG 481METHODS AND MATERIALS IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE4
ESLG 488SECOND LANGUAGE PRINT LITERACY THEORIES3
ESLG 489CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM4
ESLG 492SECOND LANGUAGE LITERACY PLACEMENT AND ASSESSMENT3
Required Practicum6
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PRACTICUM (this variable credit practicum must be repeated for three quarters (1, 2, 3 credits) for a total of 6 credits.)
Capstone Requirement–choose any Senior Capstone4-5
These capstone courses are suggested but not required.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CAPSTONE (for students who choose ESLG as a second major, the capstone requirement will be met by the completion of the primary major's capstone.)
INTERDISCIPLINARY SR CAPSTONE
Required–complete one of the following areas17
French
SECOND-YEAR FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE I
SECOND-YEAR FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE II
SECOND YEAR FRENCH III
Choose an upper-division FREN elective
German
INTERMEDIATE GERMAN AND CULTURE
INTERMEDIATE GERMAN AND CULTURE
INTERMEDIATE GERMAN AND CULTURE
Choose an upper-division GERM elective
Japanese
INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE AND CULTURE
INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE AND CULTURE
INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE AND CULTURE
Choose an upper-division JAPN elective
Spanish
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH AND CULTURE
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH AND CULTURE
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH AND CULTURE
Choose an upper-division SPAN elective
Total Credits54-55

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015MATH 1075
World Language 1015World Language 1025World Language 1035
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Humanities & Arts BACR 215Social Science BACR 115
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
World Language 2015World Language 2025ENGL 3605
Global Studies - graduation requirement15Diversity - graduation requirement15World Language 2035
Social Science BACR 215Natural Science BACR 115Natural Science BACR 215
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ESLG 4804ESLG 4723ESLG 4862
ESLG 4894ESLG 4814ESLG 4883
World Language - 300 or 400 level5ESLG 4861ESLG 4923
Elective - minor or general elective2Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
 Elective - minor or general elective2Elective - minor or general elective2
 15 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ESLG 4701Elective - minor or general elective5ESLG 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)5
ESLG 4863Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective1Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5  
Elective - minor or general elective5  
 15 15 15
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

General Education Requirements (GER)

  • Minimum Quarter Credits—180 cumulative credit hours
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at EWU, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at EWU
  • Minimum Semester Credits—120 cumulative credit hours
    • 40 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 30 credits in residence (attendance) at EWU, with at least 10 upper-division credits in major in residence at EWU
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

University Competencies and Proficiencies

Writing 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning 

Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences

University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List 
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)

Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
  2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

Students who earn a BA in English as a Second Language from EWU should be able to:

  • demonstrate intermediate level of proficiency on the ACTFL scale in a foreign language;
  • design optimal language learning environments grounded in research related to second language acquisition;
  • effectively assess language learning development;
  • employ a disposition of cultural humility in teaching-related communications;  
  • plan instruction that is appropriate for students' cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds.

Applied Learning Opportunities

  • Community-Based Projects: Team up with local organizations on projects that allow you to solve problems and make a difference.
  • Practicums: Build hands-on skills in structured field placements—like classrooms or community agencies—that are often required for professional certification.
  • Study Abroad: Travel, learn, and experience new cultures while earning credit and building communication skills that help you thrive anywhere.
  • Undergraduate Research: Collaborate with professors on real-world research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover.
  • Volunteerism: Give back to your community while gaining experience, building connections, and seeing how you can apply your classroom knowledge to make an impact in the world.
Group of students gathered around a table

Sample Courses

ESLG 472. TEACHING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Provides students who teach English for Specific Purposes (ESP) with the theory, tools, and strategies needed to plan and implement effective instruction that takes into account the language of a workplace. Students learn the pedagogy of teaching ESP while exploring the language needed for such contexts as Tour Guiding and Hotel Employment.

Catalog Listing

ESLG 488. SECOND LANGUAGE PRINT LITERACY THEORIES. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ESLG 480 and ESLG 481.
Examines current and seminal research that provides insight into the factors affecting the development of literacy by second language learners. Topics covered include prior literacy backgrounds, home-school connections, orthographies, and vocabulary development.

Catalog Listing

ESLG 489. CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
Provides an introduction to the various cultural and linguistic backgrounds in the region. Covers the impact of background cultures on the interactions that occur and expectations that exist in school environments. Provides an understanding of the role of culture in developing theories about what it means 'to read'.

Catalog Listing

ESLG 480. SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ENGL 360 or permission of instructor.
Reviews the various linguistic systems and their importance in language learning. Acquisition theories are introduced. The developmental process of interlanguage and the factors that impact effective language learning are covered. Includes practical understanding of how SLA theories relate to instructional choices.

Catalog Listing

Career Possibilities

  • EFL Teacher overseas
  • ESL Teacher (U.S. and International Schools K-12)
  • ESL Instructor at Community College
  • ESL Instructor in Private Language Schools
  • ESL Instructor in Non-Profits
  • English Language Tutor
  • Language Program Coordinator
  • International EFL Teacher (overseas)
  • Language Immersion Program Instructor
  • Study Abroad Program Coordinator
  • Cultural Exchange Program Facilitator
  • ESL Curriculum Developer
  • Instructional Designer for ESL Programs
  • Textbook Writer or Editor for ESL Learners
  • Language Assessment Specialist
  • ESL Program Director
  • Language Center Manager
  • Education Administrator (focused on ESL programs)
  • School District ESL Coordinator
  • ESL Instructor for Business Professionals
  • Workplace English Trainer
  • Corporate Language Consultant
  • English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Instructor

 

  • Bilingual Interpreter (ESL focus)
  • ESL Translator
  • Document Translator for Non-English Speakers
  • Multilingual Communication Specialist
  • ESL Outreach Coordinator
  • Language Access Specialist
  • Refugee and Immigrant Support Specialist
  • Community Integration Program Coordinator

 

  • ESL Content Writer
  • Editor for ESL Materials
  • ESL Media Specialist
  • ESL Advocacy Coordinator
  • Grant Writer for ESL Programs
  • Community Liaison for ESL Learners
  • Social Services Coordinator for Immigrants and Refugees

An English as a Second Language (ESL) major prepares you to teach English to people who speak other languages. Courses cover linguistics, second language acquisition, teaching strategies, cultural studies, and various other topics.

As an ESL major, you’ll build strong communication and teaching skills that are highly valued in schools, universities, community programs, and private language centers—both in the U.S. and around the world.

If you want a career where you make a big difference in people’s lives, ESL may be the right path for you.

Explore careers in English as a Second Language:

 

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