Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Receive training in cross-cultural communication and effective methodology in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
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Request InfoTeaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Overview
The University of West Florida’s online TESOL certificate prepares educators to teach English as an additional language in a variety of settings in the United States and overseas.
This 100% online program features a curriculum grounded in the five domains of TESOL adopted by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and based on recommendations by the International TESOL Organization.
Coursework is designed to provide the theory and practical knowledge needed to educate culturally and linguistically diverse students. You will study topics including cross-cultural communication, second language acquisition and components of language, methods of teaching ESOL, ESOL curriculum development and testing and evaluation.
Through a focus on research-based approaches and practical teaching strategies, UWF’s online TESOL certificate delivers specialized skills for teaching English with multilingual and multicultural issues in mind. This program is approved by the FLDOE and meets high standards for academic quality.
Successful completers of the program can apply for the ESOL endorsement to be added to their teaching certification in the state of Florida. Students seeking endorsement outside Florida will need to follow the appropriate credentialing process for that state.*
Degree-seeking students can apply to the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction program and use these TESOL courses to meet 15 hours of the 33-hour program requirements. Students who follow this route would be required to meet all of the admission requirements of the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.
The advantage of being a degree-seeking student is that you may be eligible for financial aid and may also be eligible to earn credit for one ESOL course if you have had previous TESOL/ESOL coursework, in-service training in TESOL/ESOL and/or experience teaching English learners.
A UWF ESOL faculty member can provide you with the process of submitting compelling evidence for earning proficiency credit for past experiences and training. Transcripts of the 15 hours of the completed ESOL coursework can be submitted to the FLDOE to apply for the addition of the ESOL endorsement to an existing Florida teaching certificate.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- UWF graduate students and others in the community who desire certification of expertise in TESOL.
- National and international educators who desire credentials that allow them to teach English as an additional language in the U.S. and abroad.
- Certified teachers who wish to add an ESOL endorsement to their current teaching certification.
You Will Be Able To:
- Analyze cross-cultural and cross-linguistic characteristics of communication as they relate to teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students.
- Apply theories of second language acquisition and language learning processes in lesson planning.
- Produce critical and creative TESOL materials based on current approaches and methodology, curriculum and materials development and the assessment of language learners.
*Requirements for teacher certification differ by state. Applications should contact their state department of education to determine whether this program can be used in obtaining a TESOL certificate.
Courses and Requirements
- TSL 5142 - ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development
3 Credit Hours
ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development
The course is designed to prepare teachers of English language learners (Els) to help them recognize and meet the unique academic needs of Els in learning content and their development of English as an additional language. Students enrolled in the course are required to create and adapt materials in all four language skills (reading, writings, listening and speaking) with specific focus on literacy. The course entails planning and evaluating instruction for K-12 classroom settings. The main objective of this course is to ensure that teachers of Els have the knowledge and skills needed to help culturally and linguistically diverse students achieve academic success in school.
- TSL 5250 - Applied Linguistics
3 Credit Hours
Applied Linguistics
This course focuses on preparing educators to work effectively with English language learners (Els) with specific focus on how knowledge of language can benefit them in their teaching of Els. This course covers the linguistic components of language including an overview of pragmatics, semantics, phonology, morphology, syntax, language variation, first-language acquisition and second-language acquisition with analyses of how each component relates to social interaction, the linguistic development and academic success of Els. Written language will also be examined and analyzed as it pertains to language teaching and learning.
- TSL 5345 - Methods of Teaching ESOL
3 Credit Hours
Methods of Teaching ESOL
This course offers an in-depth examination of approaches, methods and techniques suitable for teaching English learners (ELs). The course provides a survey of the history of methods in the teaching of languages with a focus on current research-based instructional approaches and methods used in content instruction of culturally and linguistically diverse students to effectively teach content area subjects and increase academic success. The course introduces theories and theorist in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages and examines their contribution to the education of ELs. Prerequisite: TSL 5142.
- TSL 5440 - ESOL Testing and Evaluation
3 Credit Hours
ESOL Testing and Evaluation
This course is designed to help prepare teachers of English language learners (Els) to evaluate instructional outcomes and appropriately identify role of culture and the effect of English language proficiency on testing and evaluation of Els. Issues related to bias in testing are discussed along with the effects of standardized testing on culturally and linguistically diverse students. Traditional and alternative methods of assessment for Els are addressed with a focus on their role in making informed decision related to instruction and placement. Adaptation of testing and evaluation materials for Els is also addressed and practiced.
- TSL 5525 - Cross-Cultural Communication and Understanding
3 Credit Hours
Cross-Cultural Communication and Understanding
This course is designed to provide teachers of English language learners (Els) with the fundamentals of cultural issues that come into play in their professional lives as teachers of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. The complexity of the concept of culture and common approaches related to intercultural communication and competence are addressed. Culture is analyzed and its role is examined in second language learning and teaching. Intercultural communication principles will be applied to working in diverse settings and strategies for fostering positive learning environments are evaluated. Students are encouraged to reflect on their personal cultures and their own views of other cultures as part of their analyses of cross-cultural communication and understanding in the teaching of languages.
This certificate is on a strict course rotation. If a course offering is missed, the program will not be able to be completed in a year.
- TSL 5142 - ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the University of West Florida’s online Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate program, you must be admitted into the University as a degree- or non-degree-seeking graduate student.
Candidates who wish to use these 15 semester hours as part of a graduate degree program should apply to the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction as degree seeking. These applicants must meet the admission requirements for the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.
How to Apply
To begin, interested students need to fill out either a Graduate Application or Graduate Non-degree Seeking Application.
To apply for admission to the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, interested students first need to submit a Graduate Application for graduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into the University of West Florida.
To begin the certificate program, interested students need to fill out the Graduate Non-degree Seeking Application. Once accepted as a graduate non-degree seeking student, students should contact the CEPS Advising Center at cepsadvising@uwf.edu and speak to an advisor about course availability and scheduling. Then, complete the online Graduate Certificate Declaration Form on MyUWF.
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at graduate@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
When you earn your TESOL certification online with UWF, you will be qualified to teach English to non-native speakers in a variety of settings in the U.S. and overseas. Possible career paths include:
*Salary and job outlook information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
Adult Literacy Teacher
Adult literacy teachers help adults learn to read, write and speak English. They work primarily with students whose first language is not English, often teaching them a practical vocabulary for the workplace and daily life. The median annual wage for these educators is $54,350.
ESL Teacher
ESL teachers work in elementary and secondary schools, teaching young students who are learning English for the first time. Because they work with students from diverse cultures and backgrounds, ESL teachers often explain American customs to help students acclimate. The median annual wage for this role is $45,801.