Skip to main content

Education and Events

TESOL Certificate: Advanced Practitioner

This program is designed for practicing English language teachers who want to build their knowledge and explore an area of expertise in-depth.

Rolling Enrollment - Application Required

Read about our Registration & Return Policy.

Take your career to the next level!

Build on your knowledge base by exploring an area of expertise in depth and then contribute to the field by presenting or publishing your findings. Work independently or with a mentor who will help guide you along the way.

Upon completion of this program, you will:

  • gain in-depth understanding of your area of expertise in TESOL
  • be able to design and implement syllabi and lesson plans
  • be able to implement effective teaching strategies based on current research
  • contribute to the TESOL body of knowledge by presenting and/or publishing

Boost your resume and grow professionally through this one-of-a-kind certificate program!

This program is self-paced. After being accepted into the program, you have one year to complete the program requirements. After you finish the program, you will receive a letter of completion as well as an Advanced Practitioner TESOL Certificate.

To participate in this program, you must meet the following prerequisites:

  • Knowledge of TESOL principles (demonstrated by a degree in a related field, a certificate in TESOL teaching, etc.). If you do not meet this foundational knowledge prerequisite, you may be offered conditional admission. If you are offered conditional admission, you must complete the self-study “TESOL: Principles, Practices, and Perspectives” course before advancing to the program.
  • Completion of a university degree program.
  • Currently teaching English as a second or foreign language.
  • A resume demonstrating a minimum of two years of experience in the field of English language teaching (ELT).
  • Complete an application including essay questions.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation from professionals who have directly worked with you in an ELT teaching context. One of the recommendation letters must be from your current supervisor.
  • A phone interview (if necessary).

Requirements

To successfully complete the program, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  • If you have been offered conditional admission, completion of the self-study "TESOL: Principles, Practices, and Perspectives" course.
  • Complete 10 hours of approved in-person or online specialized self-study (e.g., content-area instruction, assessment, business English, young learners, CALL).
  • Develop and submit a course overview or syllabus along with a written reflection.
  • Develop and submit a unit of instruction or at least three lesson plans along with a written reflection.

Complete one of the following:

  • Submit a 50-minute video recording of yourself teaching one of your lesson plans, along with a written reflection on your teaching; or
  • Be observed by a supervisor (mentor, department head, or colleague) and ask him/her to write an observation report.

Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the ELT field through at least two of the following:

  • Contribute two resources to the TESOL Resource Center.
  • Publish an article.
  • Give a presentation (TESOL convention, a TESOL affiliate conference, staff presentation at school, or other recognized institution or organization).
  • Submit a professional development review and plan. (A template will be provided.)
  • Submit a feedback survey about the program. (A template will be provided.)

Download the application and follow submission instructions. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You will be notified of your admission status within two weeks after you submit your application.

You must complete the program within one year after enrollment.

Your certificate will be mailed within two weeks after you complete the program.

Conditional Admission

Self-Study: TESOL: Principles, Practices, and Perspectives

If you do not meet the foundational knowledge prerequisite, you may be offered conditional admission. If you are offered conditional admission, you must complete the self-study “TESOL: Principles, Practices, and Perspectives” course before advancing to the program.

The self-study course consists of five modules on TESOL fundamentals and best practices. Each module consists of readings and/or videos followed by a quiz or assignment. You should plan to spend about nine hours on each module. You must successfully complete the quizzes to pass the course.

Cost for the course is below and instructions on how to register for the course are sent with the condition

TESOL Members ..... US$315

Global Members ......US$140

Apply Today!

Optional Registration Items

Mentor

Mentors are experienced English language instructors and teacher trainers who will help you one-on-one with the course content and provide you with feedback on your assignments. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, be sure to add the "mentor" after you select 'Register Yourself' and before proceeding to checkout basket.

For more information about TESOL Certificate: Advanced Practitioner, please contact TESOL Professional Learning.

This website uses cookies. A cookie is a small piece of code that gives your computer a unique identity, but it does not contain any information that allows us to identify you personally. For more information on how TESOL International Association uses cookies, please read our privacy policy. Most browsers automatically accept cookies, but if you prefer, you can opt out by changing your browser settings.