Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
The TESOL certificate program provides individuals with specialized training to teach successfully in a wide variety of ESL programs. Both undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in any degree program at Cal Poly may pursue this certificate.
The 22-unit TESOL program provides a solid background in theoretical and applied linguistics, cross-cultural communication, second language acquisition, and methods of TESOL. The program is designed for two career options:
- The Post-Secondary/Adult option prepares individuals to teach in college level and adult education programs. Those wishing to teach at the college level are advised that an MA in English or a related field is the usual minimum requirement for full-time positions.
- The K-12 option prepares individuals having a single or multiple subject credential to teach ESL in elementary and secondary schools.
Program Learning Objectives
- The TESOL Certificate Program prepares prospective instructors to teach English to speakers of other languages.
- By taking and successfully completing courses in the program, students learn to address theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical issues in second language teaching and learning.
- TESOL students also learn to address a variety of concepts within both theoretical and applied linguistics.
- TESOL Certificate graduates are prepared to address various challenges in teaching English language learners from diverse language and cultural backgrounds.
Certificate Requirements and Curriculum
In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy the following:
- 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for completion of the certificate.
- A maximum of two non-core courses taken at other institutions may be substituted with approval.
Note: No more than one-third of the required units may be selected as credit/no credit.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| Linguistics | ||
| ENGL 2290 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 3390 | The Linguistic Structure of Modern English | 3 |
| ENGL 3391 | Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 4495 | Topics in Applied Language Study | 3 |
| Communications | ||
| COMS 3316 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Core TESOL | ||
| ENGL 4497 | Theories of Language Learning and Teaching | 3 |
| ENGL 4498 | Approaches to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| ENGL 4499 | Practicum in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 1 |
| Total Units | 22 | |