Online Certificate in Teaching English as Foreign Language (TEFL)
Online TEFL Certificate
- Take online courses at your own pace.
- Take online courses in the summer.
- Earn credits toward M.A. in Applied Linguistics.
Program Code: CTTEFL
Program Director: Dr. Gabriela Castañeda-Gleason
Program Overview
Online Program for English as a Foreign Language Instructors
Online: This certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is offered entirely online in an asynchronous manner, allowing non-degree-seeking students to work at their own pace.
The non-degree, asynchronous, online format makes it possible for individuals with full-time life commitments to gain invaluable professional training for teaching English abroad. The program also serves students who already have an undergraduate degree and who are seeking specific training to improve their employment prospects where language, culture, history and communication are concerned.
TEFL coursework can complement a wide range of related disciplines, including foreign languages, international studies, political science, communications, history, sociology, anthropology, education, library science, artificial intelligence, psychology, and cognitive science.
The certificate coursework provides theoretical as well as practical instruction to students seeking training in TEFL. Completion of the coursework listed below leads to a TEFL Certificate from the Linguistics Department.
Course content provides graduate-level instruction in the areas of: language foundations, organization and analysis; learning theories; lesson and materials development; and classroom methodologies in TEFL.
The program is available to post-baccalaureate students who are seeking the certificate only and not the Linguistics Master’s degree. Students will take a number of linguistics courses, including courses on language components and organization, second language acquisition, methods and materials, and a language teaching practicum. The language teaching practicum allows the candidate to observe and then lead courses for non-native speakers of English. The certificate candidate and a Linguistics faculty member will meet regularly during the experience to provide direction and feedback. Candidates are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program.
Courses Apply toward the M.A. in Applied Linguistics: The Linguistics Department allows 12 credits (of the 14 earned) to transfer to the M.A. in Applied Linguistics. Additionally, the certificate coursework allows prospective master’s students to develop a sense of the department’s strengths as they will have worked with at least three different faculty members from the department while completing the TEFL Certificate.
Career Opportunities
Completing all four of the required courses results in receiving a TEFL certificate, designed to be used internationally to secure teaching positions, teacher-training positions, and curriculum development positions.
Holders of this certificate currently work for the U.S. State Department, for international universities, and for private language schools all over the world. In addition, TEFL and TEFL-related training complements academic degrees from departments as wide-ranging as: anthropology, sociology, education, language teaching, library science, artificial intelligence, psychology, and cognitive science.
Certificate Requirements
Certificate Hours Requirement
14 credits
Required Courses
All courses are available in the Summer semester.
- LING 5500 – Introduction to Linguistics: This course is the technical introduction to linguistic principles, language components and descriptive analysis in areas of phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax. Additionally, students are introduced to basic concepts within the areas of: anatomy/physiology in support of speech and language, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and historical linguistics.
- LING 5750 – Theories of Language Learning: This course introduces students to theories of learning, in general, and to the learning of language, in particular. Theories address learning of both first and second languages as well as their implications for language pedagogy.
- LING 5800 – Methods and Materials in TEFL: This course emphasizes both language teaching theory/methodology and creation of instructional, analytical, and evaluative materials.
- LING 5920 – Language Teaching Practicum: This course expands on the development of theory-based lessons and evaluations and discusses application of these materials to classroom settings. Students receive guidance in and practice with teaching English as a foreign language.
Language teaching experience: The Language Teaching Practicum includes 30 hours of observation and teaching. The Language Teaching Practicum takes place on the Athens campus but can also allow for students to choose their own Practicum location. This experience must involve engaging with English Language Learners in tutoring and/or teaching settings. The location can be in a school, or in an after-school program or club. All practicum locations and activities will need to be pre-approved by the Language Teaching Practicum instructor.
Admissions
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications for Summer is April 18.
Admission Requirements for Non-Degree Seeking Students
- Bachelor’s Degree
- GPA (or equivalent) of 2.5 or better in most recent degree program.
- Transcripts
- Resume, which must include a list of every school attended, as well as the GPA obtained at each institution.
- Brief statement of purpose (1-2 pages) by the candidate.
- English Proficiency. International students whose native language is not English also must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic). To be considered official, test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to Ohio University. For non-native English speakers: Minimum TOEFL: 600 (paper), 100 (iBT), or IELTS: 7.0 overall average. More information on English Proficiency.
See more information about Ohio University’s graduate admission requirements.
How to Apply
Apply Now
When applying, select a Graduate Non-Degree/Certificate/Endorsement Application and program name: TEFL Certificate (online).
Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency, and program.
Program Mission
The program allows students studying at the graduate level, who have already earned a bachelor’s degree, and who are not enrolled in the Linguistics graduate program, to earn a Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Students are required to have previously earned a bachelor’s degree as this is a graduate non-degree certificate.
Program Learning Objectives
- Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of students of diverse cultural and language backgrounds.
- Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of English structure and usage.
- Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the process of language learning.
- Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the context of second (new) language acquisition in the United States.
- Candidates know and demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the assessment of second (new) language learners.
- Candidates demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the instruction of linguistically diverse learners.
- Candidates observe and interact with second (new) language learners.