Program Overview

Introduction to the TESOL Certificate

The University of Virginia offers a TESOL Certificate supported by the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Linguistics Program and the Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC). This Certificate is designed to provide candidates with the opportunity to learn essential aspects of linguistics and language education while gaining ESL classroom observation, tutoring, and teaching experiences.

Rationale for the TESOL Certificate

As English continues to expand as a medium for global communication, the demand for qualified English language instructors is growing. Similarly, the increasing number of individuals in the U.S. whose first language is not English has created a need for teachers who can provide effective language instruction and support. These trends have heightened awareness of the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) among students at the University of Virginia.

Candidate Eligibility

The UVA TESOL Certificate appeals primarily to students in linguistics, foreign language, and other humanities majors, but the Certificate is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from any program of study at UVA. By completing a prescribed set of courses that provide students with knowledge and experience in the field of language teaching, candidates for the Certificate demonstrate that they have met the academic standards required to earn the TESOL Certificate recognition on their University transcripts.

Key Eligibility Criteria

• The TESOL Certificate differs from a degree program in that the Certificate is a concentration that students can take in addition to their major or minor.
• The Certificate provides candidates with specialized knowledge in the field of English language teaching, but is less extensive than a Master's in TESOL program.
• The TESOL Certificate does not replace (or provide) K-12 certification or endorsement in ESL; students interested in such should contact the UVA Curry School of Education.
• The TESOL Certificate is designed primarily for those who wish to teach English abroad, or who wish to work with non-K-12 populations in the USA.

Components of the TESOL Certificate

Research into the quality of TESOL training highlights three important components to a successful TESOL Certificate program: applied linguistic and sociocultural knowledge, pedagogical training, and practical teaching experience. The UVA TESOL Certificate program includes core courses that require exposure to each of these three components:

• Applied Linguistic Knowledge (primarily through LING 3400)
• Pedagogical Training (primarily through LING 3090 for undergraduate students and LING 5090 for graduate students)
• Practical Teaching Experience (primarily through LING 3101, 3102 & 3103 for undergraduate students and 5101, 5102, & 5103 for graduate students)

Additional Requirements

• Students then further their training in language use with two required electives from an approved list of relevant courses.
• Because of sequencing of courses and the hours required for the practicum, the TESOL Certificate cannot be completed over two semesters; therefore, students will need a minimum of three semesters to complete the certificate.

Grade Requirements

• Undergraduate Students: An undergraduate student MUST earn a grade of B- or higher on ALL certificate courses in order to successfully earn the TESOL Certificate.
• Graduate Students: A graduate student MUST earn a grade of B or higher on ALL certificate courses in order to successfully earn the TESOL Certificate.

Special Considerations for COVID-19 Periods

• During the COVID-19 periods of Spring 2020-Spring 2021, if a student elects to receive a grade of "Credit" for any of their TESOL Certificate classes, the courses for which they have earned credit will be counted towards their TESOL Certificate.
• If a graduate program offered the Credit (CR)/General Credit (GC)/No Credit (NC) grading option for one or more of the TESOL Certificate classes during the Spring 2020-Spring 2021 COVID-19 periods, the courses for which a student has earned Credit (CR) will be counted towards their TESOL Certificate.