Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
University of Pittsburgh    
2018-2019 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog 
    
 
  Oct 05, 2024
 
2018-2019 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]

TESOL Certificate


Return to Academic Programs Return to: Academic Programs

TESOL is an acronym for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Professionals in TESOL may be involved in teaching, administration, curriculum development, materials development, assessment, research, and advocacy. They work in a variety of contexts including various age levels, countries, and specialist areas such as English for specific purposes. This TESOL certificate program includes the study of: linguistics at an introductory level, structures of English, theories and practices of teaching second language, second language acquisition, materials and curriculum development, and assessment.

The Department of Linguistics offers two courses in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

  • ESL Program Specialist Course
  • Higher Education Course

ESL Program Specialist Course


Requirements


Any student who wished to earn the certificate must fulfill the following requirements:

Prerequisite
(or taken concurrently with the first certificate course)

LING 1000 - INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS  

Course Requirements

LING 2738 - LINGUISTIC STRUCTURES OF ENGLISH  

LING 2142 - THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING  

LING 2143 - SEM LANG TCHNG MATLS DEVELOPMENT  

IL 2257 - TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS  

IL 2253 - PRIN/PRA FRGN LANG TESTNG ASSMNT  

LING 2195 - PRACTICUM ESL TEACHING  

Please note:

  1. LING 2195 - PRACTICUM ESL TEACHING   involves supervised language teaching concurrent with or following LING 2142 - THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING . Candidates fulfill the requirement by signing up for LING 2195 - PRACTICUM ESL TEACHING  and teaching during that term in an informal ESL course run by the English Language Institute, OR, with permission of the TESOL Certificate advisor, another ESL teaching context.
  2. The certificate candidate must earn a grade of B or higher in each certificate course.

Degree Prerequisite for Admission

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent with a minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4-point scale). Preference is given to applicants who have studied abroad, worked with international students, and/or have any EFL/ESL teaching experience (including volunteer).

Instructional I Prerequisite

Applicants must hold a Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate (or equivalent from another state) and be able to provide a copy as part of the application packet.

Foreign Language Learning Prerequisite for Admission

Native speakers of English should have classroom foreign language learning experience equivalent to at least one year of college level study of a language.

Each applicant who is not a native speaker of English must: (1) achieve a score of 100 or higher on the iBT TOEFL (Skill Requirements: Reading and Listening - High; Speaking and Writing - one skill must be at the level of Good) or 7.5 or higher on the IELTS (Skill Requirements: Speaking and Writing - combined minimum of 13) or their equivalent and (2) have good spoken English skills (a score of at least 4 on the ITA interview test administered by the University of Pittsburgh).

Transcripts and CV and Teaching Certificate

Undergraduate transcripts (and graduate if applicable) and a CV (including a list of references) must be submitted as part of the application. In addition, a copy of the applicant’s state teaching certificate must be included in the application materials.

Plan of Study

Students must complete a TESOL certificate plan of study form after consultation with the TESOL Certificate advisor during the first term of study.

Completion of Requirements

When nearing completion of all TESOL certificate requirements, students must apply for graduation from the TESOL Certificate program through the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. This graduation application is separate from any other degree graduation applications. Additional paperwork must be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Education with the help of the TESOL Certificate advisor.

 

Suggested Sequence of Courses


Two-term Option
(entering in the fall term)

Fall:

Spring:

Four-term Option

(entering in the fall term)

Fall:

Spring:

Fall:

Spring:

*Note:

Students must enter the program in the fall term. Students may complete LING 1000 - INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS  prior to the fall term, however.

Higher Education Course


Requirements


Higher Education Course Requirements

Any student who wishes to earn the certificate at the MA or PhD level:

Prerequisite
(or taken concurrently with the first certificate course)

Course Requirements

Please Note:

  1. LING 2195 - PRACTICUM ESL TEACHING  involves supervised language teaching concurrent with or following LING 2142 - THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING  . Teaching Assistants who are teaching in the English Language Institute automatically fulfill the Practicum requirements, but they must sign up for LING 2195 - PRACTICUM ESL TEACHING  once during their teaching terms. Other candidates fulfill the requirement by signing up for LING 2195 - PRACTICUM ESL TEACHING  and teaching during that term in an informal ESL course run by the English Language Institute, OR, with permission of the TESOL certificate advisor, another ESL teaching context.
  2. The certificate candidate must earn a grade of B or higher in each certificate course.
  3. Those applying for graduate degrees will completed the TESOL Certificate program application process after gaining acceptance to the degree program.

Degree Prerequisites for Admission

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent with a minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4-point scale). Preference is given to applicants who have studied abroad, worked with international students, and/or have any EFL/ESL teaching experience (including volunteer).

Second Language Learning Prerequisite for Admission

Native speakers of English must have classroom second language learning experience equivalent to at least one year of college level study of a language. Each applicant who is not a native speaker of English must: (1) achieve a score of 100 or higher on the iBT TOEFL (Skill Requirements: Reading and Listening - High; Speaking and Writing - one skill must be at the level of Good) or 7.5 or higher on the IELTS (Skill Requirements: Speaking and Writing - combined minimum of 13) or their equivalent and (2) have good spoken English skills (a score of at least 4 on the ITA interview test administered by the University of Pittsburgh).

Transcripts and CV

Undergraduate transcripts (and graduate if applicable) and a CV (including a list of references) must be submitted as part of the application.

Plan of Study

Students must complete a TESOL certificate plan of study form after consultation with the TESOL Certificate advisor during the first term of study. The student then will work with academic advisor if earning a graduate degree, or the TESOL Certificate advisor if not in a degree program.

Completion of Requirements

When nearing completion of all TESOL certificate requirements, students must apply for graduation from the TESOL Certificate program through the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. This graduation application is separate from any other degree graduation applications.

Suggested Sequence of Courses


Two-term Option
(entering in the fall term)

Fall:

Spring:

Four-term Option
(entering in the fall term)

Fall:

Spring:

Fall:

Spring:

Note:

*Students must enter the program in the Fall term. Students may complete LING 1000 - INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS  prior to the fall term, however.

Return to Academic Programs Return to: Academic Programs



Catalog Navigation