Certificate Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

In the United States, the need for well-prepared language teachers is constant. Teachers are more likely than ever to have the opportunity to teach students who come from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The Department of English offers students the opportunity to obtain a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). This is a rigorous 12-hour/4-course graduate certificate. Normally, students are able to complete the certificate requirements within three semesters.

The graduate TESOL certificate is a rigorous academic credential that includes a focus on the structure of the English language, theories of second language learning, and approaches to classroom pedagogy. All teachers will eventually work with nonnative speakers, so all teaching concentrations--like math, history, science, and social studies--are welcome. 

A TESOL certificate does not certify a graduate to teach in Nebraska public schools. Instead, it is an academic credential meant for teachers already certified in other areas, for people who plan to teach in venues other than public schools, and for anyone who works in some capacity with non-native speakers of English.

Students in teacher education or in speech/language pathology should contact the TESOL director prior to applying to this program.