Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate

Professors: Kit Andrews, Kathleen Cassity, Carol Harding, David Hargreaves, Henry Hughes, Gavin Keulks, Marjory Lange, Cornelia Paraskevas, Thomas Rand, Katherine Schmidt, Uma Shrestha, Curtis Yehnert
Associate professors: Ann Bliss, Robert Troyer
Assistant professors: Leigh Graziano, Lars Söderlund

Mission

Provides personalized learning opportunities leading to advanced studies or a variety of careers including teaching, writing, editing, linguistics and literature. The various programs help students develop a broad knowledge of literature, language and writing to foster analytical and critical skills. Students encounter new ideas; appreciate aesthetic and practical language; become impassioned readers, writers and thinkers; and gain perspectives in assimilating and evaluating their new experiences.

Core Courses

LING 210 Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 4
LING 315 Structure of English I Credits: 4
LING 410 Theories of Foreign Language Acquisition for Adult/Young Adult Learners Credits: 4
LING 415 Strategies in TEFL for Adult/Young Adult Learners Credits: 4
LING 416 TEFL Certificate Practicum Credits: 2
LING 492 Pedagogical Grammar in TEFL for Adult/Young Adult Learners Credits: 4

Choose one: (4)

LING 312 Language and Society Credits: 4
LING 350 Linguistics in the Digital Age Credits: 4
LING 370 Meaning and Context Credits: 4

Total Credits (26)

Note:

The TEFL Certificate program prepares undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who are interested in their first international/cross-cultural English teaching position. The program is designed to meet the needs of students who seek experience teaching English as a foreign language by providing a strong foundation in English linguistics and training in second language acquisition/TEFL methodologies. The Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate is distinct from the College of Education ESOL/bilingual endorsement.

The TEFL Certificate is for undergraduate or postbaccalaureate students. Undergraduate students may also choose to obtain a linguistics minor (20 credits) along with the certificate. Students entering the program with a baccalaureate may obtain the certificate by completing the required courses (26 credits) and fulfilling the residency requirements of a second bachelor’s degree.