Certificates in TESOL

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Overview

TESOL Certificates provide advanced training in language teaching. The TESOL program at CSUS offers two different certificates to meet the needs of different audiences:

• Option A: Individuals who want to teach ESL students abroad
• Option B: Graduate students who want to teach ESL writing at the college level

All units for both options must be completed in residence at Sacramento State with a grade of B or better.

Program Flyers

Option A: Click HERE to view printable flyer.

Option B: Click HERE to view printable flyer.

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Certificate Option A Program of Study

Required courses (9 units)

• ENGL 110A: Linguistics and the English Language
• ENGL 110P: Second Language Learning and Teaching
• ENGL 110Q: Grammar for ESL Teachers

Pedagogy Electives (6 units)

Select two of the following:

• ENGL 125E: Academic Reading and Writing for Second Language Students
• ENGL 125F: Teaching Oral Skills
• ENGL 110C: Technology in Second Language Teaching

Certificate Option B Program of Study

All units must be completed in residence at Sacramento State with a grade of B or better.

Required courses (15 units)

• ENGL 110A: Linguistics and the English Language
• ENGL 110P: Second Language Learning and Teaching
• ENGL 110Q: Grammar for ESL Teachers
• ENGL 215B: ESL Writing
• ENGL 410B: ESL Internship

Electives (3 units)

Select one of the following:

• ENGL 200E: Curriculum and Assessment Design
• ENGL 210C: Technology in Second Language Teaching
• ENGL 215A: Reading/Vocabulary Acquisition
• ENGL 215C: Pedagogical Grammar for TESOL
• ENGL 220A: Teaching College Composition
• ENGL 220C: Teaching Basic Writing

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Admission Requirements

Undergraduates must be within 45 units of completing a bachelor’s degree (in any field) with a 3.0 overall GPA

Graduate students must have completed a bachelor’s degree (in any field) with a 3.0 overall GPA

All applicants must satisfy the university’s Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) requirement

International students must meet one of the following minimum requirements for the TOEFL:

• 600 or higher on the traditional TOEFL, with a score of 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE);
• OR 250 or higher on the computerized TOEFL, with a score of 5 on the Test of Written English;
• OR 100 or higher on the ibt TOEFL, with a minimum of 24 on the writing section.

Application Procedures

Students must either be in a degree program at Sacramento State or must apply for graduate admission to the university (choose TESOL Certificate as your program).  Deadlines for application to the Certificate programs are November 1 for Spring admission and April 1 for Fall admissions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the benefits of training to teach English to speakers of other languages?

A: One of the most common opportunities to live and work overseas is to teach English. TESOL program training can make you more competitive for jobs in language schools as well as for other types of teaching opportunities such as the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program or Fulbright Teaching Assistantships. In conjunction with a bachelor’s or master’s degree or a state teaching credential, it may also be helpful in obtaining employment as an ESL teacher in the United States.

Does the TESOL Certificate qualify me to teach in the K-12 system in the US?

The Certificate in TESOL is not a teaching credential. It is recognized abroad as advanced training in language teaching.

In what order should I take the courses?

Option A:

• You can take the courses in any order.
• ENGL 110A and ENGL 110P are offered every semester.
• ENGL 110Q is offered once per year (typically in the Fall semester).
• One pedagogy elective (English 125E, English 125F, or English 110C) will be offered each semester

Option B:

• English 110A and English 110P must be completed before any 215 course.
• English 110Q must be completed before attempting English 215C.