Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The graduate certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages is designed to prepare students to teach in a variety of community, international, workplace, and adult settings. Whether you are beginning your career in TESOL or looking to make a difference in the lives of English learners, this flexible 15-credit program can be tailored to help you meet your goals.

Apply Now
Program Requirements

Overview

Program Features 

  • ESOL foundation: The certificate program is designed to give you a strong foundation in ESOL teaching. By obtaining the certificate in Teaching ESOL, you will be qualified to teach in adult, community, college prep, or overseas language programs. 

  • Faculty: Our faculty hold doctorates in the fields of applied linguistics, culture and literacy, and second language acquisition. They have vast experience as Fulbright scholars, Peace Corps volunteers, public school teachers and administrators, and consultants on curriculum development for institutions within the United States and overseas. 

Curriculum 

This certificate program requires a minimum of 15 credits, five courses. 

Students in the certificate program will complete at least 50 hours of pre-service internship or field experience in an adult, community, or college program, depending on the student's area of interest. 

Sample Courses

  • ENG 770N - Context and Culture in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 

  • EDS 793 - Language Acquisition 

  • ENG 792 - Introduction to TESOL Methods 

  • EDS 799 - Teaching Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary to Multilingual Learners 

Courses successfully completed as part of the Certificate program can be applied to the MAT program.

Careers 

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 10.6% of U.S. K-12 students and 10.5% of Massachusetts students were classified as multilingual learners in the fall of 2021. The need for fully trained ESL teachers is high. Graduates in  our certificate program have gained employment as ESL teachers, specialists, managers and directors in adult and community ESL programs in various language schools and community colleges throughout the region.  

Graduates of our program have worked in the following organizations, along with many others: 

  • Berkeley College of Music 

  • Boston Center for Adult Education 

  • Pathways, Inc. 

  • Catholic Charities 

  • North Shore Community College 

  • Middlesex Community College 

Explore Pathways to becoming a TESOL Educator 

Salem State University offers four unique pathways to prepare you for the next steps in your career teaching English to speakers of other languages: 

TESOL Program Options 

  • MAT English to speakers of other languages, licensure track: for those seeking a master’s degree and initial licensure in the field of ESL in grades K-12 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

  • MAT English to speakers of other languages, general track: for those seeking a master’s degree and wish to pursue a career teaching ESL in a college, adult, or community program or at a language school in the U.S. or overseas. This track is also appropriate for those who may already have a license to teach ESL but do not yet have a master's degree. 

  • Licensure only, English to speakers of other languages: for those seeking initial licensure in the field of ESL in grades K-12, but not a master’s degree. 

  • Graduate certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages: for those seeking a strong introduction to ESL teaching, but not licensure. 

If you have any questions about which program would be the best fit for you, please reach out to graduate admissions. 

Back to top