Advanced TESL/TEFL Certificate
The Advanced Certificate in Teaching English as a Second and Foreign Language is directed at individuals in the following groups with an interest in ESL/EFL teaching, provided they have the required background:
- Graduate students from any major
- Community members with an interest in advanced study of applied linguistics
- In-service ESL/EFL teachers interested in advancing their understanding of teaching methodologies, language acquisition, and curriculum design
- Subject-matter teachers of students who speak languages other than English interested in advanced study of applied linguistics
- ESL/EFL program administrators interested in advanced study of curriculum design and teaching methodology
Individuals who hold the Advanced Certificate are qualified to teach ESL/EFL in a variety of situations:
- in community college ESL/EFL programs
- in adult schools
- in private ESL/EFL schools
- in university ESL/EFL institutes
- in business
- in a wide range of overseas locations
Advanced Certificate holders may also be qualified to administer ESL/EFL programs. The Advanced Certificate is not a master's degree. However, the required coursework can be part of a master's program in linguistics. You must already have completed the Basic Certificate (or equivalent) before you will be admitted into the Advanced Certificate program.
The following are learning outcomes for the Advanced Certificate:
- Analyze patterns of language on multiple linguistic levels, from the sound to discourse structures.
- Explain how language is represented and processed in the mind/brain and/or how it is used in society.
- Design language teaching materials appropriate for a specific population of language learners.
- Discuss and contextualize language teaching materials (including those in textbooks) in light of theory and research on language pedagogy.
- Teach and/or assume administrative positions in TESOL programs in any setting including K-12, adult education, community colleges, intensive English programs, and international programs such as the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program and the English Language Fellow Program.
The Advanced Certificate requires 12 units--four 3-unit courses.
- Second language acquisition: Ling 652
- Applied linguistics: Two courses chosen from Ling 650, Ling 653, Ling 655, Ling 657
- Elective: One chosen from
- Ling 530 (English Grammar) (if not used for Basic Certificate)
- Ling 795 (Seminar in Linguistics) (when offered with applied linguistics content)
The prerequisite for the Advanced Certificate is the Basic Certificate or its equivalent. A student’s entire program comprising Basic and Advanced Certificates must include at least one course from Linguistics 430 or 530. Under certain circumÂstances, comparable courses taken at other institutions may count toward the certificate. Such courses must be evaluated and approved by the certificate advisor.
(1) Fill out the Certificate Enrollment Form and send to [email protected].
(2) You must also be admitted to San Diego State University through the regular application process. You can register, and pay for, courses for the Advanced Certificate in two ways:
- as a graduate candidate for a master's degree, taking the courses as electives,or
- as an unclassified graduate student that is not pursuing a degree, but seeking the Certificate only.
Does the program accept transfer students?
Transfer credit may, in special cases, be possible for an equivalent course taken
elsewhere. All applications for transfer credit are evaluated individually by the
Certificate Program. No academic credit for coursework is granted for work experience.
Does it matter in what order I take the Certificate courses?
No. However, normally Ling 795 (Seminar in Linguistics) is taken after several courses
in linguistics have been completed.
Is there a time limit for completion of Certificate course work?
No.
How long does the Advanced Certificate program take?
Normally it will be possible to complete the Advanced Certificate program within two
semesters. However, more time may be needed if you lack a necessary prerequisite for
one or more Certificate courses.
Contact Us
Eniko Csomay, Graduate Advisor
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (619) 594-3377 | Office: SHW 246
Darlene Bych, Certificate Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (619) 594-1915 | Office: SHW 215
Important Links