Current Students

Welcome, current students of the Linguistics/TESL program at CSUN! Immerse yourself in the study of language structure, acquisition, and teaching methods. Our program prepares you for a range of careers in language education and linguistics.

Engage with faculty experts, gain practical experience, and explore the diverse field of linguistics. Access resources, join student organizations, and enhance your skills in a supportive community. Your journey in linguistics and TESL starts here at CSUN!

Linguistics & TESL Club

Our club brings together undergraduate majors, minors, and graduate students in the Linguistics/TESL program, as well as any who have an interest in linguistics or teaching English as a second language. We host both social and academic events with linguistic themes.

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Job Outlook

Like many other majors offered in colleges and universities, Linguistics (as a field of study) is not a direct path to a specific career in the way that say a major in Accounting or Electrical Engineering might be considered. People who choose to study linguistics often do so with the intention of going into a specific career path, such as work in law, psychology, computer and information science, anthropology and sociology, to name a few fields and professions where linguistic training is particularly applicable. Many majors opt for a career in teaching, especially teaching a language to non-native speakers either here in the United States or in other countries.

The Linguist List has put together a helpful and detailed FAQ on linguistics as a career. Additionally, several linguistic programs in the US and in other countries as well as university career centers have put together excellent discussions in answer to the question.

Our graduates find jobs in...

Career Center

The Career Center at CSUN offers valuable resources for current students, including career counseling, job search assistance, and networking opportunities. Plan your Career Center visit.

Qualifications for Teaching ESL

Public Adult Schools in California

Credentialing Information can be found on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website

Community College

Non-Credit

Statewide Minimum Qualifications: To teach English as a second language (ESL) in a noncredit program, teachers must meet one of the following criteria:

1. A bachelor's degree in teaching English as a second language, or teaching English to speakers of other languages.
2. A bachelor's degree in education, English, linguistics, applied linguistics, any foreign language, composition, bilingual/bicultural studies, reading, or speech; and a certificate in teaching English as a second language, which may be completed concurrently during the first year of employment as a noncredit instructor.
3. A bachelor's degree with any of the majors specified in subparagraph (2) above; and one year of experience teaching ESL in an accredited institution; and a certificate in teaching English as a second language, which may be completed concurrently during the first two years of employment as a noncredit instructor.
4. Possession of a full-time, clear California Designated Subjects Adult Education Teaching Credential authorizing instruction in ESL.

Credit

Statewide Minimum Qualifications for Full-time or part-time instructor are:

• Master's in TESL, TESOL, applied linguistics with a TESL emphasis, linguistics, with a TESL emphasis, English with a TESL emphasis, or education with a TESL emphasis;
OR
• Bachelor's in TESL, TESOL, English with a TESL certificate, linguistics with a TESL certificate, applied linguistics with a TESL certificate, or any foreign language with a TESL certificate; AND Master's in linguistics, applied linguistics, English, composition, bilingual/bicultural studies, reading, speech, or any foreign language;
OR
• The equivalent of the above. See individual districts for equivalencies.

Intensive English Programs

There are no statewide qualifications; requirements vary by institution but general guidelines include the following:

Full-time Instructors: Master's in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or closely related field plus a minimum of two years of directly relevant teaching experience. Teaching experience in EFL programs abroad is preferred.

Part-time Instructors: University-based IEPs require a Masters in TESOL, Applied Linguistics or a closely related field, plus a minimum of two years of directly related teaching experience. Some proprietary language schools only require a Bachelor's of Arts; at least 6 months of teaching experience in ESL

Colleges/Universities

There are no statewide qualifications for public or private colleges or universities. Interested persons should contact individual institutions. The following guidelines for UC and CSU generally apply to private colleges and universities as well.
Teaching ESL full-time or part-time: Instructor positions require a Master's in TESL, English, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or a Master's degree in a closely related field with a TESL certificate.

Teaching TESL full-time or part-time: Lecturer positions require a Master's or Doctoral degree in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, or Education. Professor positions require a Doctoral degree in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or Education.
 

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