Certificate Program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
The California population is becoming increasingly diverse, creating challenges and opportunities for educators working in school, college and community settings. The Certificate Program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages will equip you with the knowledge and technical skills needed to strengthen your own cultural proficiency and to effectively instruct and support English Language Learners in a variety of settings. This program consists of five courses, totaling 18.5 units and can be completed on a part-time basis in just one year.
Gain practical knowledge that matters
- Gain the foundation in literacy and language acquisition needed to work effectively with English Language Learners.
- Understand the connection between culture and communication, and develop your intercultural competencies.
- Learn to use a variety of assessment strategies to evaluate student progress and to inform the instructional process.
- Develop skills in applying second language learning theories and methods through lesson plan development, site observations and classroom practice.
Designed for professionals like you
This program is designed for educators in a variety of settings that may include: teachers who hold a valid California teaching credential and who wish to demonstrate additional competencies in ESL; native English speakers who want to teach ESL at the community college or adult-learning level; and those seeking to teach English in another country.
Applying for UC Davis Extension Certificate Candidacy
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certificate is earned upon successful completion of five required courses with at least a "B" average in program coursework. Nonnative speakers of English are also required to meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements. To establish candidacy for the certificate, please submit your completed application, official transcript of your bachelor's degree, TOEFL score (if required) and nonrefundable $45 application fee to UC Davis Extension, Attn: Student Services, 1333 Research Park Dr., Davis, CA 95618.
It is not necessary to send your transcript, application, TOEFL score (if required) and fee before enrolling in your first course; however, you must apply for candidacy before you complete the second course of the program.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Nonnative speakers of English applying for the TESOL certificate are required to submit an official international or UC Institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) report. You must receive a minimum score of 230 for the computer-based exam, 570 for the paper-based exam or a minimum score of 22 on each of the four sections of the internet-based test. The TOEFL must be taken within two years of the application date to this program. Registration forms for the TOEFL may be obtained by contacting Test of English as a Foreign Language, Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 084541-6151 or emailing toefl@ets.org. For more information about the TOEFL, visit the ETS website.
Getting a Teaching Credential
The TESOL certificate is not a teaching credential, nor does it authorize teaching in California public schools. Students in the TESOL Certificate Program interested in applying for a preliminary credential to teach K-12 or adult education programs should contact the UC Davis School of Education or the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for more information.
| UNITS | W | SP | SU | |||
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| REQUIRED COURSES | Intercultural Competence and Communication | 4 | 
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| Language Structure and Acquisition | 3 |
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| Applied Methods: Foundation | 5 |
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| Applied Methods: Literacy | 4.5 |
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| Assessment of English Learners | 2 |
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F=Fall W=Winter SP=Spring SU=Summer;
Schedules subject to change
Classroom format |
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Required Courses
Intercultural Competence and Communication
4 quarter units academic credit, X314.50.
Explore the promises and challenges of intercultural communication in a diverse society and global community. Build a foundational understanding of the relationship between culture and communication, including the characteristics and functions of cultural patterns, cultural taxonomies, and issues of cultural identity and bias. Consider the role of verbal and nonverbal codes, as well as variations within and across cultures. Gain the insights and tools needed to strengthen your own cultural proficiency and your ability to foster constructive intercultural communication in your classroom or school.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Intercultural Competence and Communication starts January 8, 2010
Language Structure and Acquisition
3 quarter units academic credit, X314.51.
Learn the fundamentals of linguistics for ESL teachers, including language universals, language structures and use, and the importance of context. Explore theories and concepts in first and second language acquisition. Analyze the factors that influence learning a second language, including student characteristics, learning styles, motivation, and previous language and academic experience. Consider the various ESL classrooms contexts and the role of instruction in fostering successful acquisition of a second language. Successful completion of Intercultural Competence and Communications as well as a second-language learning experience is recommended.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Language Structure and Acquisition starts February 19, 2010
Applied Methods: Foundation
5 quarter units academic credit, X314.53.
Gain a foundation in the theories and methods of second language teaching and learning, and develop skills in applying those methods to classroom practice through lesson plan development and demonstration. Learn how to analyze student needs and to develop appropriate, research-based teaching strategies for application across language proficiency levels and grade spans. Explore the techniques, strategies and materials for delivering focused instruction in listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary.
Prerequisites:
Intercultural Competence and Communication, Language Structure and Acquisition, Recommended prerequisite: Prior teaching experience in K-12 or adult setting.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Applied Methods: Literacy
4.5 quarter units academic credit, X314.54.
Building on the concepts learned in Applied Methods: Foundation, this course continues the exploration of second language teaching methods with an emphasis on literacy. Explore current theories and instructional approaches to ESL literacy instruction and examine the differences between first and second language literacy development. Develop strategies for increasing comprehension and fluency in reading a variety of contexts (academic, workplace and family) and integrating oral and written language.
Topics include: cognitive, linguistic, socio-cultural and affective factors that affect language learning in students of diverse backgrounds; approaches to teaching second language literacy; investigation of program models; and resources for teaching second language literacy. Gain the knowledge, skills and ability to deliver comprehensible instruction to English Language Learners in multiple contexts, including K-12, adult education, community colleges and international settings.
Prerequisites:
Intercultural Competence and Communication, Language Structure and Acquisition, Applied Methods: Foundation, Recommended prerequisite: Prior teaching experience in a K-12 or adult setting.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Assessment of English Learners
2 quarter units academic credit, X314.52.
Study the principles and design of language proficiency assessment for English Language Learners and their relationship to identification of students' strengths and needs in English language/literacy development and academic achievement. Explore various types of formal and informal assessment, and consider their role and purpose in informing the instructional process. Discussions will center on commonly used assessment tools in a variety of ESL settings; how assessment supports differentiated instruction; strategies for monitoring English learners' progress; issues of norming, test reliability, validity, and cultural and linguistic biases; and the limitations of assessment.
This course is not currently scheduled.
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CTEL Programs
CLAD through CTEL programs are available at these UC campuses:
UC Berkeley Extension
UCLA Extension
UC Riverside Extension
UC San Diego Extension
