Why Pursue a Graduate Certificate in TESOL?
The Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) provides the complete package of professional training with courses that cover all of the major areas of the TESOL field. All courses, with the exception of the practicum, are available completely online.
Licensed elementary, middle, and secondary teachers can receive ESL and bilingual endorsements from the Illinois State Board of Education by completing the 24-credit Graduate Certificate in TESOL, which covers all of the required endorsement courses and the practicum. The Certificate in TESOL meets the endorsement requirements for most states. For more information about the ESL and bilingual endorsement requirements, please see the endorsements page.
The graduate Certificate in TESOL is also a valuable credential for teachers in higher and adult education who already have a master’s degree but need significant training in TESOL for jobs as English as a second language teachers in the U.S. and abroad. A number of our graduates who have previously earned master’s degrees in education, linguistics, intercultural studies, or foreign languages are able to serve as English language teachers by adding the certificate.
Apart from LING 613 Practicum in TESOL, which is offered as a one-week intensive on campus, all of the required Certificate in TESOL courses are offered in online form. Students can complete the Certificate in TESOL in either the online or residential formats. In order to receive the Certificate in TESOL, students must complete 24 credit hours of specialized courses. Required courses are LING 563, 611, 612 (or 606 and 607), 613, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, and either 614 or 642 or another approved TESOL elective. Each student's program is worked out individually in consultation with an advisor.
Required courses for the graduate Certificate in TESOL
LING 563. Cross-Cultural Teaching and Learning (2)
LING 611. Theoretical Foundations of TESOL Methodology (4)
LING 612. Descriptive English Grammar for TESOL (4)
LING 613. TESOL Classroom Dynamics Practicum (2)
LING 615. Teaching Reading and Composition to ESL/EFL Learners (2)
LING 616. English Phonology for ESL/EFL Teachers (2)
LING 617. Principles of ESL/EFL Assessment (2)
LING 618. English Language Methods for Content-Area Teachers (2)
LING 619. Teaching Speaking and Listening to ESL/EFL Learners (2)
AND
LING 614. Curriculum and Materials Development for TESOL (2) OR
LING 642. Bilingual Methods and Materials (2) OR
LING 643. English Language Learning Methods for Specialists (2)
