Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Certificate
Launch hands-on experiences that link classroom learning to professional practice through the TESOL certificate. Whether you want to teach abroad, support multilingual learners in the U.S., aid international education programs, or prepare for graduate study, it meets your goals.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Program description
The teaching English to speakers of other languages certificate program consists of key courses that provide you with the practical skills and confidence necessary to teach English as a second or other language anywhere in the world. This certificate can be added to any degree program and includes a supervised internship to gain valuable hands-on experience before graduation.
This certificate does not certify you to teach in Arizona public schools (K-12).
Why earn a TESOL undergraduate certificate at ASU?
You'll learn from linguistics and applied linguistics faculty at ASU who are internationally recognized scholars holding leadership and editorial roles at major international presses, journals and societies. Their expertise reaches across linguistics, applied linguistics and second language learning and teaching, with specialties that include endangered language documentation and preservation, digital pedagogies, phonology, syntax, learning transfer, sociolinguistics, emotion in learning, raciolinguistics, technology-mediated language learning and language history. As active field researchers, they share findings in top scientific and humanities journals and publish books on linguistic theory, teaching, language change and cultural contexts.
Your coursework builds skills in linguistic research, language-acquisition theories, emerging language learning technologies and today's teaching methodologies and professional practices. A flexible curriculum lets you shape the program around your professional needs and personal interests while exploring interdisciplinary topics.
Graduates have gone on to a wide range of TESOL-related roles, teaching, teacher training and consulting, at local, national and international levels. If you're eligible, you can also apply for funding through the Student Research LAL | TESOL Mini-grants Program to support research, professional development, conference participation and collaborative projects.
Additional details
Beyond your classes, you're encouraged to get involved with the SparkLing Club and the CALL Club, two student organizations that extend learning past the classroom. Together they open doors to networking, professional development, research collaboration, leadership and community building, connecting you with peers, faculty and professionals in linguistics, applied linguistics, TESOL and computer-assisted language learning.
Courses
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Language expertise (linguistic knowledge): Graduates of the undergraduate certificate program in TESOL will be able to recall and explain structural and functional features of human language.
- Language learning and use expertise (L2-specific knowledge): Graduates of the undergraduate certificate program in TESOL will be able to recall and explain theories, research and key concepts in first and second language use and learning.
- Teaching expertise (pedagogical knowledge): Graduates of the undergraduate certificate program in TESOL will be able to recall and explain key concepts, theories and methods in second language (L2) teaching and will be able to develop teaching and learning materials.
- Real world expertise (context-specific knowledge and application): Graduates of the undergraduate certificate program in TESOL will be able to apply theories and key concepts in (a) language studies, (b) L2 use and learning, and (c) L2 teaching to real-world contexts (e.g., language teaching, materials development, or related professional practices).
Language expertise (linguistic knowledge): Graduates of the undergraduate certificate program in TESOL will be able to recall and explain structural and functional features of human language. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
Requests to declare this certificate are reviewed by the academic advisor in the academic unit offering the certificate. Students may be contacted to discuss the certificate before it is added to their record. A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this TESOL undergraduate certificate prepares you for
The TESOL certificate is useful for graduates who are interested in careers in this increasingly important field. It also serves as excellent preparation for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program at ASU or in a similar program at another institution.
Students who combine this TESOL certificate with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers.
Graduates with this undergraduate certificate often pursue teaching opportunities abroad. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of English
|
RBHL 170
englishadvising@asu.edu
480-965-3168
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
