Teaching Paths

If you plan to teach English at the secondary level, you will need to take additional courses beyond those required for the English major. It is therefore critical to see an advisor in the Undergraduate English Office and in the School of Education early in your undergraduate career.

Coursework

You should meet with an advisor to help you choose English courses that will help you meet the specific subject matter requirements that are necessary for admission into one of the university’s Secondary Teacher Education Programs (STEP). 

Every semester the English Undergraduate Office prepares a list showing which of our courses fulfill these subject matter areas. This list is available both in the office and on our website's undergraduate courses page.

Admission into STEP

For admission into one of the programs, you will also need

• a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in English.
• to pass the Communication and Literacy portion of the MTEL prior to admission to the undergraduate University to Schools program, and within the first semester of the post-graduate programs.
• to understand the social justice mission of STEP, and to acquire experiences—through coursework, tutoring, or internships—that expand your awareness of diversity and inequity issues in education.

STEP Planning Forms

STEP Subject Matter Form (PDF)
University to Schools Approved Program of Study (PDF)

Advising

Students considering STEP should meet as soon as possible with Janis Greve (@email) in the English Undergraduate Advising Office (South College E345B).

The following links provide additional information about STEP:

• Be an English Teacher
• Preparing for and taking the MTEL
• UMass Programs: University-to-Schools, 180 Days in Springfield, and Bridges to the Future
• STEP English Language Arts Vision & Mission (PDF)

Students interested in teaching elementary school are advised to pursue and complete the major of their choice. They are encouraged to apply in their senior year to CTEP (Collaborative Teacher Education Pathway), a 10-month, full-time program blending intensive academic study with carefully supervised field experiences. 

Students interested in Early Childhood Education or Special Education must pursue those concentrations within the Education major, though they may still pursue a minor or major in English if their schedule permits.

You are strongly encouraged to visit the School of Education (121 Furcolo Hall) to speak with an advisor and discuss your goals. All of the paths require planning and in some cases special course work, so the sooner you plan, the better prepared you will be.

Teaching English as a second language is a career path for many English majors. Certification is not required to teach English as a second language. However, it is strongly recommended as it will make you better prepared and more qualified for those kinds of jobs. Though there is no undergraduate degree available on campus for teaching ESL, there is a certificate that provides an ample background in the field. 

In addition, the School of Education offers a Masters with a focus on Bilingual, ESL, and Multicultural Education. 

Other ESL Certification Programs

• Boston University ESL Program
• Center for New Americans (provides training for volunteers)
• Certificate in in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (in the Department of Linguistics)
• The International Language Institute of Massachusetts
• The Jones Library ESL Center (provides training for volunteers)
• TEFL International

Resources

• English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
• ESL/TFL Career Guide