Enhance your bachelor's degree with a Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certificate. This undergraduate certificate will provide you with specialized knowledge of English language fundamentals. You'll learn the relationship between language and culture, communication across cultures, and how to approach the teaching and assessment of English as a second language (ESL). The TESL certificate at ODU is available to undergraduate students and non-degree seeking professionals, including teachers who wish to prepare for adding an ESL endorsement.
Program Highlights
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Access course materials online from any location. Many classes don't have a scheduled meeting time, so you can fit class into your personal schedule. The instructor may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Interpreters and Translators
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Requirements
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Six credit hours of general education composition courses, or permission of the instructor
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If you are not pursuing a bachelor's degree at ODU, you will apply as a non-degree seeking student
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Current ODU students should talk to their current academic advisor about adding this certificate to their studies
Transfer
At ODU, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful...
Featured Courses
An introduction to the grammar of mainstream English. Primary focus is on analyzing English sentences, including study of parts of speech, phrases, clauses, and sentence types. Prerequisites: 6-hour general education composition requirement or permission of instructor.
A survey of topics in English linguistics. Topics include the sound system, the structure of words, the ways in which words and phrases form meaningful utterances, the structure of conversations, differences between spoken and written English, language acquisition by children, language variation, and language in its social context. Prerequisites: 6-hour general education composition requirement or permission of instructor.
This course is designed to provide students with the background and tools necessary for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at the K-12 or post-secondary level. The course covers the major theories of language learning, focusing primarily on current methods for language learning and teaching along with practical applications of teaching methods through a focus on designing activities and lesson plans, developing assessment tools, and teaching with technology. Prerequisites: 6-hour general education composition requirement or permission of instructor.
Cost
Estimated rates for the 2024-25 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Other fees are assessed for special services and certain academic programs. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial Aid.
Contact
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Additional Programs
Are there other programs at ODU I may be interested in?
With over 120 undergraduate programs, 130 graduate programs at the master's, education specialist and doctoral levels plus a wealth of certificate and professional development programs, Old Dominion University has the program for you. Visit our academic program listing page to see other programs ODU has to offer.