Graduate Certificate

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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Approved by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
The online TESOL certificate can be completed in 12 months.
Licensed Florida teachers who complete this program may apply for ESOL Endorsement with the FLDOE.

Teaching 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.

Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.