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International Programs

Advanced Studies in TEFL

Explore exciting possibilities for your teaching journey with Advanced Studies in TEFL at UC San Diego! Earn a total of 12 UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies units and guidance from our TEFL Program Manager. Enhance your expertise in teaching English and open doors to exciting opportunities in language education. 

Who will Benefit

This three-month full-time program is perfect for those who want to choose their own class schedule in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and related subjects. Whether you're a teacher looking to improve your skills or someone passionate about English, this program is designed for you. You get to create your own learning journey by picking courses that match your career goals. Start your journey with Advanced Studies in TEFL and shape your future in global language teaching.

Program Details

Classes:
 Although you can build any schedule you want from our course offerings (totaling 12 units), some of our most popular classes are:

  • Advanced Analysis of English Sentence Structure I (3 units)

This course will explore the complexities of English language structures and how and when they are used (pragmatics). There will be special emphasis on those areas of syntax which are unique to English and most troublesome to non-native speakers, including both prescriptive and descriptive forms. 

  • Advanced Analysis of English Sentence Structure II (3 units)

You will learn how best to teach and integrate the practice of various highly specialized features of English grammar in all types of ESL and EFL lessons. Syntactic variations related to gender, age, socio-economics, and other factors will be examined. 

  • Best Methods of Teaching Listening Skills (3 units)

Become familiar with the different types of listening needs and tasks, as well as the best techniques and methods for helping your ESL and EFL students become more skillful listeners in English. By the end of the course, you will know how to integrate the listening skill and practice into reading, writing, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary instruction.  

  • Best Methods of Teaching Speaking Skills (3 units)

Learn the best methods for getting ESL and EFL students to speak English and which tasks encourage meaningful interaction. This course will address types and idiosyncrasies of the spoken language as well as micro skills of speaking that are factors in the oral code. This course will suggest fluency and accuracy activities that can be used in and out of the classroom. 

  • Introduction to Teaching English as a Foreign Language (3 units)

This course will provide an introduction to the basic theories, methods, and practices of teaching English as a Foreign Language. Experienced teachers needing a further grounding in the most current, up-to-date methods and practices to be more successful in their current teaching will also benefit. This course will explore skills, language, and the learning process while introducing practical applications to the EFL/ESL classroom. The course will introduce the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing as well as grammar, pronunciation, and culture. Issues in methodology, including activity and lesson design, will also be discussed to orient the participants into the field of language education. 

  • Introduction to Pronunciation & Fluency for Language Teachers (3 units)

This TEFL certificate course will prepare prospective, novice, or experienced teachers with a basic foundation in phonetics necessary in being an effective English teacher in an ESL or EFL classroom environment. You will learn the phonetic alphabet and how best to incorporate it in explaining basic pronunciation patterns in English. You will have an introduction to the suprasegmentals of the English phonological system including: stress, rhythm, and intonation patterns.

  • Teaching Young English Learners in the Primary Grades (4-7) (3 units)

This TEYL course is designed for elementary school ESL/EFL teachers for ages 4-7. Learn the essential concepts, theories, and activities that are age appropriate and used by successful ESL/EFL teachers around the world. Young children learn best while using their hands, eyes, and ears, so all activities will incorporate activites involving the phsical world such as: songs, stories, rhymes, games, drawing, and colors, etc. Learn how to construct a typical lesson plan with: warm-ups, pre-activities, body, and closing techniques. You will also learn effective assessments to evaluate learner success.

  • Teaching English to the Intermediate Young Learner (ages 8-11) (3 units)
This TEYL course is designed for elementary school ESL/EFL teachers for ages 8-11. Focus on taking a young learner-centered perspective and use scaffolded instruction while balancing task demands and support. Learn how to create and deliver intermediate-level lessons to this specific age group in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Learn and practice the art of storytelling as well as develop an entire themed unit by using authentic children's literature. This course will allow for self-reflection of each lesson plan delivered as well as professional feedback from the instructor. 

Duration: 1 Quarter

Delivery Method: In-person

Visa: F-1 student visa

Program Schedule:

  • Monday - Friday, occasional Saturdays
  • Daytime and evening courses
  • Schedule varies

Admission Requirements

Age: 18+ 
 
Language Proficiency Requirement: 

  • TOEFL iBT: 79

  • IELTS: 6.5

  • B2 First (Cambridge English: First-FCE): B2/C1

  • C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Advanced-CAE):180-C1 and C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Proficiency-CPE): 180-C1

  • Duolingo English Test (DET): 110

  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58

  • TOEIC (all four subjects are required):

    • Listening: 445 

    • Reading: 420 

    • Speaking: 170

    • Writing: 165

  • ELI level (8-week programs): 7 or higher

For questions regarding alternative English proficiency exams, please email ipadmission@ucsd.edu.

All enrolled students are required to complete an online pre-arrival orientation before starting the Advanced Studies in TEFL program. 

Dates & Prices

2025 Dates:

  • January 2 - March 14
  • March 24 - June 6
  • June 18 - September 5
  • October 1 - December 12

2025 Prices:

  • Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
  • Tuition: $5,490
  • International Student Service Fee:  $500
  • UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $780
  • Books/Materials: Approximately $200-$800 per quarter (Payment CANNOT be made in advance. Books and materials must be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.)

For all 2025 program dates and prices, visit the Dates and Prices page or download the 2025 Dates & Prices document. This document also lists the financial verification required for your program application if you need the Form I-20 for a student visa.

Note: If you transfer directly from an 8-week UC San Diego English Language Institute ESL program or UC San Diego English Language Institute TEFL program, you will get a $250 discount on your tuition for the Advanced Studies in TEFL program. 

Testimonial

Taking classes at UC San Diego Extended Studies has provided me with a personalized learning setting where I have been able to seek individual career mentoring from the TEFL Program Director and staff. The staff is wonderful and a great resource. I have also benefited from taking teacher training courses with international students. They have brought a new perspective to the classroom.

- Irene Trevino, USA

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2025 Dates and Prices

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Contact Us

Call
+858-534-6784

Email
ipinfo@ucsd.edu

Regular Mail Address
University of California San Diego
Division of Extended Studies
International Student Services, 0176D
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0176
USA

Physical Location & Express Delivery
University of California San Diego
Division of Extended Studies
International Programs
8980 Villa La Jolla Drive - suite 380
La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
USA

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