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Core Certificate Program

An Online Training Program on the Core Principles of English Language Teaching

Overview
Benefits of Training Through TESOL
Program and Requirements
Course Descriptions, Schedules, and Professional Development Component
Grading and Assessment
Registration Fees
Technology Requirements
Application and Registration Process and Deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
TESOL Practitioner Certificate

Download TESOL Core Certificate Program Flyer (PDF)
TESOL Core Certificate Program Application Form (PDF)

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Overview
    
Developed by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL), the leading global education association for the English language teaching (ELT) field, the TESOL Core Certificate Program is a 130-hour online training program providing a foundation in the theory and practice of English language teaching. The certificate program provides a summary of the core knowledge of the field to support individuals in enhancing their professional practice and careers in serving the needs of English language learners (ELLs).

The program is designed for current or prospective teachers or administrators worldwide with who have limited to no formal training in ELT. Participants can focus on teaching adults, in ESL and/or EFL environments, or on teaching young learners, in EFL environments.

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Program and Requirements

TESOL Core Certificate™

To earn the TESOL Core Certificate, participants must complete the following requirements:

• a 60-hour (6-week) online foundation course on the fundamentals of TESOL.
• a 60-hour (6-week) online specialty course (participants must choose one of two courses).
• a 10-hour professional development and capstone requirement.

The 130 hours of required course work and professional development components can be completed in 6 to 11 months. Successful participants will earn the TESOL Core Certificate.

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Course Descriptions, Schedules and Professional Development Component

2011 TESOL Core Certificate Program Schedules

The two required online courses for the TESOL Core Certificate Program are offered twice per year:

A. Foundation Course

1) Fundamentals of TESOL (6-week, 60-hour course)

• January 24 - March 6, 2011
• June 13 - July 24, 2011

For course description and instructors' bios, click here.

B. Specialty Courses (Choose 1 of 2 courses) 

Prerequisite: "Fundamentals of TESOL" 

1) Teaching Language Skills and Assessment: Adult Learners (6-week, 60-hour course)   
     *This course focuses on both ESL and EFL contexts.

• April 18 - May 27, 2011
• September 19 - October 30, 2011

For course description and instructors' bios, click here.

2) Teaching Language Skills and Assessment: Young Learners (6-week, 60-hour course)   
    *This course is primarily focused on EFL contexts.

• April 18 - May 27, 2011
• September 19 - October 30, 2011

For course description and instructors' bios, click here.

3) Professional Development Component (10 Hours)

Recognizing the wide variety of ELT settings worldwide, from public and private schools for school-aged learners or adult ELLs to volunteer-based organizations and corporate training environments, and the variety of people seeking ELT training (some already teaching, others not currently having access to an ELT classroom), the TESOL Core Certificate Program provides flexible options for completing its professional development component.

The professional development component aims to have participants reflect on their experience in the program and/or complete additional professional development in the ELT field, including synthesizing their learning and refining their professional development goals through a capstone requirement.

Program participants should choose one of the following professional development options and fulfill the capstone requirement.

Participants choose one of the following options:

• Option A: 10 hours of teacher/classroom observation (a template will be provided).

Option A is for students who have or can gain access to an appropriate ELT classroom.

• Option B: 10 hours of reflective teaching practice with an experienced teacher (a template will be provided).

Option B is for students who are already teaching or can gain access to an appropriate ELT classroom for practice teaching.

• Option C: 10 hours (1 CEU) earned in an in-person or additional online professional development program in the field (a template will be provided).
  
  Participants can choose from the TESOL Convention, TESOL Pre- and Post-Convention Institutes (PCIs), the TESOL Academy, TESOL symposia, additional TESOL online courses or seminars, or approved affiliate or other ELT professional conferences or workshops.

Capstone Requirement 

• A self-reflection paper as part of a professional development plan and portfolio (template provided).

Time Commitment

• All courses are asynchronous.  A minimum of 10 hours per week should be devoted to the online course work.  With that being said, students are expected to “check-in” on the class at least every other day, if not daily.

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Grading and Assessment

The TESOL Core Certificate Program, as well as the online courses that make up the core of the program, are organized on a pass (satisfactory completion of all requirements)/no pass (unsatisfactory) basis.

Participants who have earned the TESOL Core Certificate may apply for an additional distinction, the TESOL Practitioner Certificate.

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Registration Fees

The TESOL Core Certificate Program is an affordable and flexible way to access quality training in the theory and practice of English language teaching.

To access the TESOL Core Certificate Program application form, see Application and Registration Process and Deadlines.

TESOL Core Certificate Program Package

	TESOL Member	TESOL Global Member*	Nonmember	Global Nonmember*
Application fee	none	none	none	none
TESOL Core Certificate 130-hour program package	$900	$400	$995 (includes one year of TESOL membership)	$435 (includes one year of TESOL membership)
Program administration fee	$100	none	$100	none
Total cost	$1,000	$400	$1,095	$435

*TESOL Global Membership applies to individuals who reside in countries with low Gross National Income (GNI) per capita below US$15,000, as defined by the United Nations. To learn more about TESOL Global Membership, go to our Global Membership page. 

Refund Policy

Requests for refunds of registration fee MUST be received 10 (ten) calendar days before the start date of the course.  Except those registered at a special rate, a $75 processing fee will be deducted from the amount to be refunded.  No refund will be granted after the course has started.  (See Program Cancellation policy below.)

A certificate program registrant who participates in one course, but then drops out of the program for any reason, may request a refund.  However, no refund will be provided for TESOL membership, courses already taken, or any administration fee that applies.

Program Cancellation

TESOL reserves the right to cancel any course because of low registration or events not within TESOL’s control.  In the unlikely event of cancellation, registrants will be notified and offered the option to switch to a different course or receive a full refund.

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Technology Requirements

The TESOL Core Certificate Program’s online courses have the following technology requirements:

• An Internet connection (broadband is recommended). 

Note: To view videos and certain documents included in the courses, access to broadbrand or ADSL connection is required. To determine what kind of Internet connection you have, please contact your Internet service provider.

• One of the following Web browsers: Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, Netscape Navigator 4.7 or higher, Mozilla 1.0 or higher, or Safari 1.0 or higher.

- Windows Operating System: Internet Explorer 5.5 is recommended.
- Apple Operating System: Netscape 7.0, Mozilla 1.0, or Safari 1.0 is recommended.

• Your Web browser should be able to accommodate both JavaScript and Java.
• An e-mail account.

Perform a system check of your computer now by clicking here.

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Application and Registration Process and Deadlines

Thank you for your interest in applying to the TESOL Core Certificate Program. Space is limited.  Applications will be accepted again mid-September for the program starting in January 2011.

Follow the three-step application process:

1. Review all the information about the TESOL Core Certificate Program on this Web site, including the technology requirements for the online courses.
   
   
2. Review all the information on the TESOL Core Certificate Program application form (below), then complete the form and send it to TESOL as follows:
   
   a. Download the application and save it to your computer.  (Note: There is no “submit” button on the form.)
   
   Download the TESOL Core Certificate Program Application Form (PDF).
   
   b. Type your answers directly on the PDF application form, saving frequently.
   
   c. Send the completed application to TESOL as an e-mail attachment to corecertificate@tesol.org, or by fax to 703-836-7864.
   
   
3. If your application is approved, you will receive a Participant Agreement Form and be allowed to register for the certificate program (pay the registration fee).  Approved applicants should pay the registration fee and return the Participant Agreement Form as soon as possible. You will not be officially registered for the program until you have paid the registration fee and returned the Participant Agreement Form.  (This form is a list of statements detailing program requirements.) 

Contact for this program in TESOL’s Education Programs Department: corecertificate@tesol.org or call 703-518-2516.

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Disclaimer for the TESOL Core Certificate and TESOL Practitioner Certificate:

The field of TESOL is a complex, multifaceted, profession practiced in a wide variety of teaching and learning environments worldwide, ranging from positions that require a master’s degree or doctorate in TESOL and many years of experience, to those available to prospective teachers with shorter-term training in the field.

The TESOL Core Certificate Program is an online certificate program of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL), organized on a pass (satisfactory—completion of all requirements)/no pass (unsatisfactory) basis, providing short-term training on the fundamentals of ELT for a diverse group of current or prospective teachers or administrators with limited formal training in the ELT field. It is not a certification program. In addition, a student teaching component is not required to earn the TESOL Core Certificate. However, the TESOL Practitioner Certificate requires all its applicants to meet the teaching requirement.

All TESOL professionals should engage in ongoing professional development throughout their careers, as appropriate for the specific settings in which they teach or administer programs involving ELLs.

Additional resources: see TESOL’s Position Statements.