Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Certificate)

Program Summary

Although a TESOL Certificate can take many different forms, this credential is desirable for those who plan to teach in ESL Adult and Community Education programs in the USA, as well as EFL teaching positions overseas. The most respected and reliable TESOL Certificates require training in linguistics, intercultural communication, and education. The TESOL Institutional Certificate program (18 credits) at SUU provides candidates with a solid foundation in the essentials of the TESOL academic field along with practical experiences in ESL classroom observation, tutoring, lesson planning, and teaching.

Candidate Eligibility

The TESOL Institutional Certificate is targeted primarily at SUU undergraduate students who are in a degree-seeking program. The TESOL Institutional Certificate is an add-on program that students complete in addition to their existing program of study.

This program is not intended for K-12 US school teachers. The SUU Department of Teacher Education  has a separate program for teaching ESL in the K-12 US schools context.

Program Information

• Candidates choose one course (3 credits) from each of the two strands, Teaching and Culture, for a total of 6 credits. It is recommended (but not required) that candidates complete all three of the core courses before enrolling in the Teaching strand and Culture strand courses.
• The applied skills portion of the certificate is primarily provided through 3 credits of practicum experience. Three hours of practicum service per week for a semester equates 1 credit of practicum experience. Candidates are advised to enroll in 1 credit of TESL 4890  per semester.