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Certificate

Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Professional Certificate

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About the Teaching English as a Foreign Language Program

UC San Diego Extension’s Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Professional Certificate program provides aspiring ESL and EFL educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to become a resourceful and confident teacher of English as a second language or English as a foreign language. We offer a high-quality curriculum of in-class and online courses which provide specialized training and necessary skills to people interested in teaching English in the U.S. or overseas. A TEFL certification, along with a bachelor's degree will open doors to job opportunities around the globe as an English teacher.

UCSD Extension TEFL certification courses provide a unique opportunity for international students and American students to study side-by-side, developing their knowledge of applied linguistics and their teaching techniques for the various English language skills and competencies. Students are given just enough theory to provide a good foundation while taking courses which focus on the successful application of information about the English language and pedagogical principles for student-centered language teaching. Students will take many courses to strengthen their ability to teach English grammar, listening skills, pronunciation and fluency, speaking, writing, reading, and vocabulary development. The TEFL Practicum provides the chance to observe classroom teaching in action, and to develop and deliver a portfolio of effective lessons plans which are extremely useful when searching for employment. A TEFL job resources guide is also available for graduates of the program.

If you are interested in a TEFL specialization, our Teaching English to the Young Learner (TEYL) program offers courses focused on teaching English to kindergarten to middle school-aged children (K-8), and includes fieldtrips to local schools and teacher specialty stores to learn how to obtain the latest and most effective educational materials.

Whether you are looking to begin a new career, change careers, live and work abroad, travel overseas, or volunteer in the local community, our TEFL programs will help you to become a successful, resourceful, and confident English teacher in any educational setting. Let the adventure of a lifetime begin now!

If you have any questions, please email iCert@ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-7418.

Learn more about the TEFL certificate program at our free
information session.

 

 

 

 
In-Person, Online, Hybrid, Live Online
6-24 Months
Students can create their own schedule and complete the program at their pace.
$4,000
The $95 Program Fee can be paid at any time.

Conditions for Admission

  • Native speaker of English or one of the following English language proficiency scores: 
    • TOEFL iBT: 79
    • IELTS: 6.5
    • CEFR: B2/C1
    • Cambridge Scaled Score: 180 - C1 Advanced
    • Duolingo English Test (DET): 110
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58
    • TOEIC:
      • Listening: 445 
      • Reading: 420 
      • Speaking: 170
      • Writing: 165
  • Complete the application and pay the $95 certificate fee. The certificate fee must be paid online and students are subject to program change requirements until paid.

Certificate Guidelines

  • You may begin the TEFL Professional certificate program in any quarter of the year and it can be completed in two quarters if taking classes full-time (i.e. 12 units a quarter).
  • If you need to complete the program in a short time period, please contact us at tefl@ucsd.edu for advising.
  • Various specialized TEFL programs are also offered, including Advanced Studies in TEFL, Teaching English to the Young Learner, and Teaching English Grammar. 

How to Apply

This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0.00 fee to apply to this program. Students will be required to pay a $95.00 fee upon acceptance to start their certificate program.

Get More Information

For detailed information, please contact our International Programs - Bldg. A department.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Classroom type:
Live Online
In-Person
Online
Hybrid
Download Course List

TEFL Information Session

Learn more about the TEFL certificate program at our free information session.

Required Courses

All courses listed are required for the certificate.

TEFL Electives

Three units are required from the options below.

ESL Electives

optional; can satisfy certificate elective unit requirements

Industry Requirements

The TEFL certificates provide in-depth study and training in best practices and methodology for teaching EFL students, which involves (a) teaching English to non-immigrants in a multilingual classroom, and (b) teaching English in an overseas monolingual classroom. The major goals are to provide training which results in highly advanced knowledge and skills in explaining the English language -- its use both by native speakers and as a lingua franca - and to provide training which provides and increases skills in facilitating student's acquisition of English as a foreign language.

Special Notes

  • Students may take TEFL courses without enrolling in the certificate program.
  • After completion of all required courses, in order to receive a certificate, please fill out the 'Certificate Audit Request' form online via My Extension.
  • If you have any questions, please email tefl@ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-7418.

Related Documents

FAQs

TESOL is primarily for those who want to teach K-12 and adult education. TEFL is specially designed for those who want to teach overseas or at an intensive English language program in the U.S., in classes where students are always in classes with other non-native speakers of English.
Many countries require a four-year degree plus a TEFL certificate in order to qualify for an English teaching job and a job visa. Competition is increasing, and employers are looking for those with the skills and the experience to be successful English teachers.
 
Students must fill out the online application by clicking the APPLY NOW button on this page. Once approved, students will then be prompted to pay the $95 TEFL certificate fee. This application and fee payment are only applicable to the TEFL Professional program. If you are interested in another program (TEFL Proficience, Teaching English to the Young Learner, Teaching English Grammar, or Advanced Studies in TEFL Program) please contact the TEFL Program Manager at tefl@ucsd.edu BEFORE applying and submitting payment.

For English language learners, a strong command of English is a prerequisite for the program. 
  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • CEFR: B2/C1
  • Cambridge Scaled Score: 180 - C1 Advanced
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): 110
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58
  • TOEIC:
    • Listening: 445 
    • Reading: 420 
    • Speaking: 170
    • Writing: 165
For the most part, students can take classes in any order or sequence. The only exception is the TEFL Practicum class. Students must take and pass at least two other TEFL classes before taking the Practicum. Otherwise, it is entirely up to the student to decide which classes to take, depending upon his or her personal schedule and availability.
 
This depends upon the student’s personal schedule. The 24-unit program, roughly 8 classes, takes on average, less than 1 year with students taking 2 classes per quarter. However, students have five years in which to complete the program.
 
The approximate total cost of the TEFL Professional Certificate program is $4,300-$4,500. This includes the cost of the courses (tuition), the $95 program fee, and textbooks/materials. Students may still need to pay for parking fees if taking in-person classes. There are no upfront fees that are required for the program. Students pay for classes as they enroll in them each quarter. 
All in-person TEFL classes are held at the Extension complex of the main UC San Diego campus in La Jolla. Online classes are delivered via Canvas and the web-conferencing platform Zoom. 
 

We offer a variety of delivery methods for our classes including in-person, live online synchronous, and online asynchronous. Please note that most of our courses are offered in-person or online asynchronous. See below for descriptions.

  • In-Person/Hybrid = Class meetings will be held at our La Jolla Extension Campus. Students must physically attend in-person class meetings in order to pass the class. No exceptions. There will also be required asynchronous work for students to complete independently.
  • Online Asynchronous = Class will be entirely online and asynchronous. Students will work at their own pace to complete the required weekly coursework in accordance with published deadlines. There will be no required virtual class meetings, but the instructor will hold a few optional Zoom meetings throughout the quarter.
  • Live Online Synchronous = Class will meet online via Zoom on the designated days and times listed. Students must attend the weekly live online class meetings. There will also be required asynchronous work for students to complete independently.
This can be paid at any time during the program, but we recommend that students pay it as soon as possible. Should any requirements of the program change, those who have not paid the fee yet will be subject to those changes/new requirements.
 
TEFL graduates can teach abroad and at intensive English languages institutes and other ESL programs in the U.S.
 
No. In fact, employers often prefer that teachers not speak the native language so that the students will have greater exposure to spoken English, and so that the students must use English rather than their native language to communicate with their teacher.
 
For students enrolled in our program, we offer a TEFL Job Resources Guide, which lists our recommended job boards, schools, and agencies. We are continuously contacted by schools and agencies looking for instructors, and while we cannot guarantee the employment conditions of all the schools and/or agencies, if we feel they look reputable, we will pass that information along to our students. In the end, it is up to the student to decide which job they would like to pursue.
  • UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies offers continuing education loans through UC Approved Lenders. Each institution offers low competitive interest rates and flexible payment options. You are also encouraged to contact your personal financial institution about possible lending solutions. Direct links to UC Approved Lenders can be found on our website’s Financial Resources page.
  • The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies/organizations. More information is available on their website at edd.ca.gov.
  • Career Centers Located throughout San Diego County offer their communities comprehensive employment and training services benefiting both business and job seekers. More information is available on their website at workforce.org.
  • Please click here for information about Veteran’s Benefits.
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds are limited to degree programs only, and cannot be used for courses or certificate fees at UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies.
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is not a degree granting institution, however many UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses can be transferred to other colleges or universities.

The transferability of credit is determined solely by the receiving institution. Students should discuss how your individual courses will transfer with the Office of the Registrar at the receiving institution prior to enrolling.

Quarter to Semester Unit Conversion

If the receiving institution operates on a semester system, credits will be converted to semester hours during their evaluation. As a general rule, quarter credits are converted to semester credits by dividing the number of quarter credits by 1.5. For example, if the student completed a course worth 4 quarter credits at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, the course would be worth 4 ÷ 1.5 = 2.66 semester credits.

Advisory Board

Dr. Mary Ellen Butler-Pascoe

Alliant International University

Heather Giammona

Academic Director
EC Language Schools

Dr. Grant Goodall

Professor, Department of Linguistics
UC San Diego

Edward Park

Principal
Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy

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