TESOL Certificate Program
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate provides students with the training and a credential to teach English in the U.S. and abroad. This program is designed for undergraduate students from any academic discipline, cultural and/or linguistic background. The program consists of four undergraduate courses which may be completed in any order.
Please note: The TESOL Certificate does not provide or replace a K-12 teaching license.
Ways to earn the TESOL Certificate:
Fully online: Earn the certificate using online courses. A minimum of two courses will be available each semester. Courses may be completed in any order.Summer Intensive 10-week program: Offered over 10 weeks on-campus at Bridgewater through Summer Session I & II. Two classes are offered per session.
Where can I teach?
The TESOL Certificate opens many opportunities to teach, both in the United States and abroad. It’s a perfect fit for students who desire to travel abroad and teach in a foreign country. The certificate also provides opportunities for non-United States students to teach abroad in numerous countries.
Teaching opportunities:
United States
> Community partnerships for adult education
> Language learning centers or Community centers
> Private institutes or Libraries
> Online English teaching jobs (non-licensure positions)
> Other educational and language learning organizations
Overseas
Please note: An internationally accredited TESOL certification is often required in order to be considered for most English teaching jobs abroad.
> K-12 public and private schools or K-12 international schools
> Language learning centers or Institutes for children and adults
> As a Peace Corp Volunteer
The largest job markets for TESOL certified teachers are located in China, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Spain, Brazil and Vietnam.
TESOL Program components
The program delivers a balanced foundation of theory, knowledge, and skills, and includes such domains as linguistics for teaching English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL), professional strategies and tools for teaching English, ESL/EFL methodology and approaches, and cultural issues in teaching English as a second/foreign language.
The program involves successfully completing four undergraduate courses.
Program of Study
>TESL 201 Strategies for Multilingual Learners
>TESL 203 Cultural Issues in TESL/TEFL (BSU core curriculum course)
>TESL 205 Linguistics for TESL/TEFL or ENGL 323 or COMD 391
>TESL 212 Approaches and Methods in TESL/TEFL or ENGL 300
Program Eligibility
BSU undergraduate students in any academic discipline and at any stage in their degree program. After completing a college degree, many students are interested in traveling and living abroad for a short or extended period of time and teaching English.
Individuals with a high school diploma or any college credits who are interested in obtaining TESOL certification to teach English in the U.S. or abroad.
International students who are receiving a degree at a university in their country or anyone who lives outside the U.S. and wants to complete TESOL Certificate online without traveling to the U.S.
International students from partner universities who come to BSU for one or two semesters as exchange students and are interested in obtaining TESOL Certificate.
Program admission requirements
U.S. based students: A high school diploma for non-international students (U.S. students).
International students: International students who have no educational experience in the U.S. must take the TOEFL or IELTS examination, minimum IBT TOEFL score of 61 or a minimum IELTS score of 6 is required.
Continuing Studies COST
Click here to access information about Continuing Studies courses, including summer courses. More+
Apply for the program
BSU Students:
1. Click here to download the Program of Study Declaration form
2. Complete form by filling in the following fields:
BEAR ID
Name
Select: NO CHANGE TO PRIMARY PROGRAM/MAJOR
Select: NO CHANGE TO SECONDARY PROGRAM/MAJOR
Under the Certificates section, select Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Sign and Date Form.
Request will be sent to the College of Continuing Studies for approval
Non-Degree Students: (students who are not currently enrolled in a BSU degree program)
Click here and complete the Create an Account/Application
Contact information
For specific questions about the TESOL program, contact:
Dr. Alexandra Balconi, Associate Professor, TESOL
TESOL Certificate Coordinator
abalconi@bridgew.edu or 508.531.2878
For program Admissions questions, contact:
College of Continuing Studies
ccs@bridgew.edu or 508.531.2788