TESL/TEFL

Program Details

• ADMISSION, DATES, COSTS

  TESL/TEFL Application

  Admission Requirements

  • No teaching experience necessary, but applicants should have earned or be close to earning their bachelor's degree
  • Must have sufficient awareness and competency in English, both written and spoken, to follow and complete course assignments

  Dates

  Our face-to-face course runs every spring and summer and is 120 hours.

  Our asynchronous online course runs every fall and is 60 hours.

  Semester	Dates	Days	Time
  Fall (self-paced)	Start anytime after August 26, 2024 Finish anytime before December 15, 2024	No required class meetings
  Spring (15 weeks)	January 21-May 8, 2025	Tuesdays and Thursdays	5:00pm-8:00pm
  Summer (6 weeks)	June 23- August 1, 2025	Monday - Friday	9:00am-1:00pm

  Costs

  Face-to-face Course (Spring and Summer)

  Description	Cost
  Tuition	$2,000
  Teaching practicum (strongly encouraged)	$500
  Parking Permit	$125 (estimated)
  Application Fee	$50
  Total Program Tuition and Fees	$2,675
  Optional:  Two add-on certificates (see descriptions below) Intensive support navigating hiring process plus guaranteed paid internship	$500 $500

  One-week notice and a complete refund of deposit will be given if a minimum class size is not met.

  Asynchronous Online Course (Fall)

  Description	Cost
  Tuition	$1,000
  Total Program Tuition and Fees	$1,000
  Optional:  Teaching practicum	$500

  *Tuition and fees subject to change

• PROGRAM OVERVIEW

  Program Overview

  During both of the ALCI’s TESL/TEFL Certificate program options, participants develop essential skills for teaching English Language Learners in a domestic or international context. The curriculum, presented by a team of ALCI master instructors, includes a historical overview of the theories and methodologies which have most impacted modern language-acquisition pedagogy, and “how-to” courses (focusing on instructional strategies for basic core skills). Participants receive ample opportunities for developing effective lesson plans and syllabi. In addition, those who complete a supervised teaching practicum are able to practice classroom management strategies, peer-teaching, and classroom facilitation. Participants must also demonstrate an understanding of course concepts through their project work, written reflections, and quizzes. The 6-week summer course runs Monday through Friday on the CSUSM campus for a total of 20 hours per week, and the 15-week spring course is offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings for 8 hours per week. The asynchronous online course is self-paced and can be completed anytime during the fall semester.

   

  Program Outcomes

  By the end of the Certificate program, participants will:

  • Understand the historical progression of theories and methodologies which have impacted currently used approaches for instructing English-language learners;
  • Explore and analyze a wide variety of strategies, materials and best practices used to teach English as a Second or Foreign Language;
  • Develop their skills for creating well-structured and effective lesson plans and syllabi;
  • Become more familiar with cultural conventions and diversity which can impact international educators in their respective teaching environments; and
  • Reflect on their own English-language skills (so as to provide an optimal model of oral and written English communication to future students).

  Additionally, those who complete a supervised teaching practicum will:

  • Develop more confidence when presenting instruction to a classroom audience;

  Program Video

  Please view our information session webinar, which will answer many of your questions about this program. (Please note that this information applies to our face-to-face option.) 

   

  Still have questions? Individual information sessions are also available by appointment. Please send a message to tesl-tefl@csusm.edu and a member of our team will be in touch to set up a session.
  
  

• COURSE TOPICS

  Course Topics

  • English Teaching Basics
    • Methods
    • Principles of teaching reading, writing, speaking, listening
    • Teacher/student interaction
    • Materials
    • Text
    • Curricula
    • Lesson planning
    • Professional associations
  • Teaching of Reading and Writing
    • Theories
    • Techniques
    • Skimming
    • Scanning
    • Making inferences
    • Critical thinking
    • Journaling
    • Essays
    • Error correction
  • Teaching of Listening and Speaking
    • Theories
    • Techniques
    • Stress
    • Intonation
    • Rhythm
    • Pronunciation
    • Fluency
    • Accuracy
    • Conversation skills
    • Error correction
  • Teaching of Grammar
    • Concepts
    • Phonology/Morphology /Lexicon /Syntax
    • Exercises
    • Materials
    • Including grammar in teaching of other skills
  • Applied Linguistics/Second Language Acquisition
    • Linguistic principles
    • Language production and comprehension
    • Phonetics
    • Theories/Methods of 2^nd Language Acquisition
    • Relationship between L1 and L2
    • Affective factors
    • Order of acquisition
    • Interlanguage
    • Comprehension vs. production
  • Culture
    • Integrating culture into curriculum
    • American values
    • Cross-cultural differences

  For those who complete a supervised teaching practicum, opportunities for assessment of your skill progression, observation of experienced teachers, and practice teaching with feedback will be woven throughout the curriculum. 

• ADD-ON COURSES

  Already have a TESL/TEFL Certificate?

  Take your skills to the next level with our online add-on courses!

  These courses are offered in an asynchronous online environment and can be completed at your own pace, taking 12 hours to complete at a rate of $300 per course. (Special Discount: Enroll in any two add-on courses for just $500 when you sign up when registering for the Certificate program!) Along the way, you'll complete assignments that will show your progress in the course. Our faculty will evaluate your assignments and will be on hand throughout the course to answer questions. You'll finish the course with an additional certificate of completion, verifying your more in-depth knowledge in the sector of the course you have completed.

  Teaching English to Young Learners

  Course modules include child development background, culture, special considerations in classroom management and activities for teaching reading/writing, speaking/listening and grammar.

  Teaching English for Test Preparation

  Course modules include background on popular tests; preparing students for test tasks in reading, writing, speaking, and listening; and teaching test-taking strategies.

  Teaching Business English

  Course modules include defining business English, understanding your learners' needs, teaching experienced professionals and inexperienced learners, adapting materials and developing activities, and assessing progress.

  Teaching English to Japanese Students

  Course modules include classroom management, encouraging participation, promoting fluency, language interference, affective factors, and cultural considerations.

  Teaching English Grammar

  Course modules include grammar teaching fundamentals and a detailed analysis of nouns and pronouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, articles, and clauses so you can feel proficient in these forms and confident about teaching them.

• FAQ

  Where can I use this certificate?

  The certificate is valid in countries around the world, including the U.S. 

  Should I enroll in the online or face-to-face course?

  If your main goal is to find a job and earn an income after the course, you should consider completing our face-to-face option, as this modality is looked upon favorably by employers due to its more intensive nature. Some of the most prestigious positions require a face-to-face course.

  If you are already employed and are looking to expand your knowledge of approaches to teaching English learners, the online option may be the right fit for you. This is also the case if you are looking to volunteer in the field and thus want a low-cost option.

  Learning style and access may also play a role in your decision. Face-to-face learning is more dynamic, with opportunities for engaging class discussions in which you can bounce ideas off your peers. Asynchronous online courses offer some opportunity for collaboration but tend to be more individual in nature. This is a good option for those who are not in our geographical area, who have difficulty coming to campus for any reason, or whose schedule does not allow participation in the face-to-face course.

  Should I participate in a supervised teaching practicum?

  Yes! Trainees in both the face-to-face and online courses are encouraged to enroll in a supervised teaching practicum in order to gain hands-on teaching practice and feedback from experienced instructors. 

  Can I go abroad and teach without a certificate?

  Most programs demand a bachelor’s degree and certificate from their teachers. Those that do not tend to be low quality, or they will charge you to get their in-house “certificate” that is applicable only to their program. 

  What is unique about the CSUSM certificate?

  • Given by recognized, accredited university 
  • Small class sizes 
  • Offers options for
    • Face-to-face instruction 
    • Supervised hands-on teaching practice 

  What is "TESL/TEFL"?

  • TESL= teaching English as a second language; English taught in an English-speaking country 
  • TEFL= teaching English as a foreign language; English taught in a non-English-speaking country 

  Do you offer a payment plan?

  Program tuition may be submitted all at once prior to enrolling in the course or in two equal payments. For the split payment option, half of the tuition is due prior to enrollment and the other half can be paid during the course prior to issuance of the certificate. 

  Can I use a professional reference on my application? 

  Yes, the reference given on the program application may be educational or professional. 

  Up to what date can I apply?

  For our face-to-face course, the priority registration deadline for each course is approximately one month prior to the course. If space remains in the course, applications will be accepted after this deadline on a case-by-case basis.

  For our online course, registrations are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the semester.

  Are there specific countries where there is more demand?

  The highest demand for highly qualified English-language teachers is seen throughout East Asia. Japan, South Korea and China. However, demand is strong throughout the world and there are many great opportunities outside of East Asia as well! 

  Will I get placed in a job?

  Throughout the course, we assist our trainees with the process of locating a suitable position upon graduation. We create résumés and cover letters, practice interview questions and learn how to evaluate potential employers. Trainees are given access to our internal career database, containing information about dozens of open positions. Some of these are through our personal contacts, who often come in as guest speakers during the course to share opportunities with their organizations. However, it’s important to understand that your employment contract will be with the school or program with which you are hired, not with CSUSM. 

  I am a trainee in a different certificate program and my program requires me to find my own practicum. Can I do my practicum at your school?

  Yes! The standalone cost of the supervised teaching practicum is $500.