Program Overview

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Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Overview

This course prepares you to teach English to speakers of other languages. There is a strong focus on the theoretical underpinnings of TESOL, such as in the Transcultural Communication unit, where you will learn the challenges of language acquisition, and the Introduction to Language unit, where you will learn the components comprising languages.

There is also a strong focus on the practical aspects of language teaching and learning through the Materials Design and Assessment unit.

The combination of these aspects will inform your future practice as a TESOL teacher.

In this course, you will examine pronunciation, intonation, voice quality, spelling and sound systems, sentence structures, syntax, morphology and semantics, as well as examining a selection of the different varieties of English spoken throughout the world, including native English dialects.

The course includes a description and analysis of speech styles across a number of cultures including Aboriginal, Anglo-European and some from the Asia-Pacific, and you will learn methods and approaches to Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

If you complete this course, you may also be able to transfer into the Master of Arts (TESOL).

Please note: This course is not available to onshore international students.

What jobs can the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) course lead to?

• TESOL (EAL/D) teacher

What you'll learn

• an ability to apply the theoretical principles and concepts which underpin contemporary TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) specific practices;
• an understanding of the diverse needs of students and an ability to frame creative solutions to problems of pedagogy;
• an ability to access key texts in the field, and to analyse critically key concepts in the field and an ability to synthesise information from a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives;
• an ability to communicate effectively, including the ability to communicate key concepts relevant to TESOL;
• an awareness of available technologies and an insight into how they can be used creatively to a specific advantage in TESOL;
• an awareness of the importance of self-directed learning for professional growth and a demonstrated ability to take responsibility for individual intellectual development;
• an awareness of the theoretical and practical implications for TESOL in a global context;
• an appreciation of the value of cultural and linguistic diversity and its place in TESOL;
• a demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team; plan a challenging and supportive learning environment.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

• A relevant bachelors degree and an approved teaching qualification* with an assessed practicum component.
• • An appropriate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) qualification can be used as an approved teaching qualification.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

• Writing: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0
• Reading: 6.0
• Listening: 6.0
• Overall band score: 6.5

Other requirements and notes for this course

• Online study is available through Open Universities Australia.
• Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Fees and scholarships

Domestic fee paying postgraduate

• 2025 Fee year: $10,883*
• 2026 Fee year: $10,883*

• Based on a first-year full-time study load of 100 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

Location

• Curtin Perth

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

• Curtin Perth

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Duration

• This course is 6 months full-time or equivalent part-time study. Units are offered across four continuous study periods each year in a combination of internal and fully online delivery. Students who wish to study full-time will be required to enrol in a minimum of one unit fully online.

Credit

• A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.

Course outline

• Qualification: Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Duration: 6 months full-time or equivalent part-time study
• Credit: 100
• Location: Curtin Perth

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

• Special Study Period 4, 2024: Applications now closed!
• Special Study Period 1, 2025: Applications now closed!
• Special Study Period 3, 2025: Applications now open!

Course structure

• View course structure

Testimonials

• My course helped me realise the value in providing meaningful experiences for my students. I now have the qualifications to apply for a range of jobs. If I wanted to teach English overseas, in regional or remote areas or at a refugee centre, these would now be options for me.
• Megan Kenny

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Specialisations

• Actuarial Financial Mathematics Specialisation
• Advertising Design Specialisation
• Animation and Game Design Specialisation
• Anthropology and Sociology Specialisation
• Asian Studies Specialisation
• Chinese Language Specialisation
• Construction Management Specialisation
• Creative Writing Specialisation
• Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
• Designing Fashion Specialisation
• Digital Design Specialisation
• Digital and Social Media Specialisation
• English and Cultural Studies Specialisation
• Environmental Planning Specialisation
• Fashion Design Specialisation
• Fine Art Specialisation
• Geography Specialisation
• Graphic Design Specialisation
• Graphics Specialisation
• History Specialisation
• Illustration Specialisation
• Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
• Interior Architecture Specialisation
• International Development Specialisation
• Journalism Specialisation
• Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
• Photography Specialisation
• Principles of Planning Specialisation
• Professional Writing Specialisation
• Screen Production Specialisation
• Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
• Social Justice Specialisation
• Surveying and Spatial Sciences Specialisation
• Theatre Arts Specialisation
• Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
• Web Media Specialisation
• Web Presence Specialisation

Bachelor of Commerce Specialisations

• Actuarial Financial Mathematics Specialisation
• Advertising Design Specialisation
• Animation and Game Design Specialisation
• Anthropology and Sociology Specialisation
• Asian Studies Specialisation
• Chinese Language Specialisation
• Construction Management Specialisation
• Corporate Screen Production Specialisation
• Creative Writing Specialisation
• Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
• Designing Fashion Specialisation
• Digital Design Specialisation
• Digital and Social Media Specialisation
• English and Cultural Studies Specialisation
• Environmental Planning Specialisation
• Fashion Design Specialisation
• Fine Art Specialisation
• Geography Specialisation
• Graphic Design Specialisation
• Graphics Specialisation
• History Specialisation
• Illustration Specialisation
• Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
• Interior Architecture Specialisation
• International Development Specialisation
• Journalism Specialisation
• Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
• Photography Specialisation
• Principles of Planning Specialisation
• Professional Writing Specialisation
• Screen Production Specialisation
• Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
• Social Justice Specialisation
• Surveying and Spatial Sciences Specialisation
• Theatre Arts Specialisation
• Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
• Web Media Specialisation
• Web Presence Specialisation

Bachelor of Innovation Specialisations

• Advertising Design Specialisation
• Animation and Game Design Specialisation
• Asian Studies Specialisation
• Biological Diversity Minor
• Climate Change Science Minor
• Construction Management Specialisation
• Corporate Screen Production Specialisation
• Creative Writing Specialisation
• Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
• Designing Fashion Specialisation
• Digital and Social Media Specialisation
• Environmental Management Minor
• Environmental Planning Specialisation
• Fashion Design Specialisation
• Fine Art Specialisation
• Food Science Minor
• Forensic Studies Minor
• Geophysics Minor
• Geospatial Technology Minor
• Go Global – Internship Specialisation 1
• Go Practice – Internship Specialisation 1
• Graphic Design Specialisation
• Graphics Specialisation
• Illustration Specialisation
• Indigenous Australian Cultural Studies Specialisation
• Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
• Interior Architecture Specialisation
• International Development Specialisation
• Landscape Restoration Minor
• Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
• Mapping and Land Planning Minor
• Metallurgy Minor
• Mining Minor
• Optimisation Minor
• Photography Specialisation
• Principles of Planning Specialisation
• Screen Production Specialisation
• Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
• Social Justice Specialisation
• Strategic Studies Specialisation
• Theatre Arts Specialisation
• Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
• Web Media Specialisation
• Web Presence Specialisation