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
Credits
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
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate program in teaching English as a second language requires 18 credit hours, of which 12 must be completed at the upper-division level. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be taken from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better can be used to satisfy certificate requirements. |
||
|
ENG 213 Introduction to the Study of Language
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ENG 404 Studies in Second Language Acquisition
ENG 404 is repeatable for credit and must be completed twice.
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
ENG 484 Topic: TESOL Internship
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ENG 403 Semantics
or
ENG 404 Studies in Second Language Acquisition
or
ENG 414 Studies in Linguistics
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ENG 214 English Grammar and Usage
or
ENG 312 Language and Society
(SOBE)
or
ENG 313 Phonology and Morphology
or
ENG 314 Modern Grammar
or
ENG 413 History of English Language
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
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. Enrollment requirements
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.
Here are the admission and application details
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 receive 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.
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.
