Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The Department of English offers students the opportunity to obtain a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). This is a rigorous 12-hour4-course graduate certificate. Normally, students are able to complete the certificate requirements within three semesters. TESOL students undertake an intensive study of linguistics, applied linguistics, and language pedagogy. Students must demonstrate proficiency in linguistic theory, the linguistic structure of English, common pedagogies for teaching English in the classroom, and second language acquisition theory.A TESOL certificate does not certify a graduate to teach in Nebraska public schools. Instead, it is an academic credential meant for teachers already certified in other areas, for people who plan to teach in venues other than public schools, and for anyone who works in some capacity with non-native speakers of English.