Brigham Young University-Idaho’s TESOL graduates scored higher than state and national averages on the PRAXIS Test, a teacher certification exam.
In multiple states across the country, a good score on the test is key to opening classroom doors for recent graduates to be licensed educators, especially for those who have minored in TESOL, which stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, BYU-Idaho’s alumni surpassed the Idaho average for all six subcategories of the test, in addition to exceeding the national average in five of those subsections.
More Than Just Theory
Don Hansen, a BYU-Idaho TESOL instructor, mentioned how the university has prepared students for the assessment by offering practice tests, as well as making sure they have a strong knowledge of the theory.
However, it goes beyond that. Hansen emphasized the hands-on and real-world learning aspect of the curriculum.
“In our program, we give students a tool kit to help them address the needs of each student in their classroom, to teach them content and language at the same time, which is really tricky,” Hansen said.
Moreover, an increased number of BYU-Idaho students will soon have the chance to teach English across the globe, as the university has recently approved a Teaching Abroad Model for TESOL.
“It is such a blessing to English language learners around the world to have access to native English-speaking, college-educated, TESOL-trained teachers,” Hansen added.
Real-World Application
BYU-Idaho’s alumni looked back on their experience with the TESOL degree and how it has impacted their careers and those they now teach.
Alisha Van Houten
Alisha Van Houten shared how the program design kept the students interested in the learning process.
“It integrated language, culture, and education together in a way that was very engaging,” Van Houten said.
Since graduating, Houten has had two different experiences working with the English as a Second Language field.
“The TESOL minor opens up doors such as teaching abroad and working with those around the world or making a significant difference in the community around you,” she said.
Jenna Smith
When Jenna Smith discovered a love for language teaching and working with immigrants, she looked for a program on campus that could relate to that field. She learned about the TESOL degree, which was brand new at the time, and started taking the required classes.
Smith loved the program and appreciated how much the instructors cared about the students enrolled in it. In addition, during practicums, she enjoyed seeing how the skills she learned had the power to help people.
After graduating, Smith enrolled in Brigham Young University’s TESOL Master’s Degree.
“I felt like the TESOL minor at BYU-Idaho prepared me very well for it,” she concluded.
Jhuel Duncan
For Jhuel Duncan, teaching Spanish or English could take her anywhere in the world, so she felt like the TESOL minor was just the right fit.
Duncan saw how the principles and teaching strategies she learned in the program were important, and how they are applicable in her classroom when teaching English to Spanish-speaking children.
“Everything was just necessary because, with second language acquisition, it's a lot different from mainstream classes, like math. It's so much different,” she said. “I know how to cater to their needs, so the kids feel more comforted, and they feel like they feel more empowered. They feel like they’re getting it. They're motivated.”
For more information on BYU-Idaho's TESOL program, visit: https://www.byui.edu/languages-international-studies/tesol