Classes:

• 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. 

• Best Methods in 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 in Teaching Pronunciation and Fluency (3 units)

Features of English phonetics, phonology, stress, and intonation will be drawn on to enrich instruction in best practices for teaching and learning pronunciation in a TEFL environment. Specific techniques for accent reduction, plus important information on body language for clear communication in English, will be presented. Lastly, the course will emphasize the integration of pronunication instruction and practice in all types of lessons.
 

• Best Methods in 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.

• Teaching Writing for Academic and Professional Purposes (3 units)

This TEFL certificate course will treat in-depth the discourse features of successful writing in English, in particular for academic and professional communication in the U.S. and around the world. Through this course, you will review the rhetorical and formal conventions of good writing, and the most effective ways to share that knowledge with your ESL and EFL students in helping them develop successful writing skills and rhetoric. Using process strategies (prewriting, composing, revising, and editing) will also be discussed as an integral component in effective writing instruction. 

• Theories and Methods of Language Teaching and Learning (3 units)

Become acquainted with the most generally accepted theoretical and methodological models of English language teaching and learning in this TEFL certificate course. You will build a repertoire of ESL and EFL classroom activities firmly embedded with well-established principles of language acquisition in a step-by-step approach to interactive language teaching.

• Theory and Methods of Reading Instruction (3 units)

In this TEFL course, you will receive an overview of various theoretical approaches as they apply to reading in the ESL and EFL classroom, and connection of theory and research to the teaching and learning of reading. You will be provided with a thorough understanding of the reading process and the ways in which to build and assess reading skills, particularly academic and professional material. There will be an emphasis in how to best teach vocabulary and idioms through reading in an ESL and EFL context.

• Electives (3 units)

We offer a variety of one-unit workshops and three-unit elective courses. You will need to choose 3 units of electives, depending on what is offered each quarter. Some examples are:

• TEFL Practicum: Best Methods in Developing and Delivering Lesson Plans (3 units) -strongly recommended

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

• Games for the EFL Classroom (1 unit)

• Grammar and Editing I or II (3 units)

• Teaching English to the Intermediate Young Learner (ages 8-11) (3 units)

• Teaching Language Through Art (1 unit)

• Teaching TOEFL Prep Classes (1 unit)

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

Duration: 2 Quarters
Delivery Method: In-person
Visa: F-1 student visa
Program Schedule:

• Monday - Friday, occasional Saturdays

• Daytime and evening courses

• Schedule varies

Schedules vary depending on language level of the student and course selections.

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 TEFL Professional Certificate.

• January 3 - June 7
• March 27 - September 6
• June 26 - December 13
• October 2 - March 14, 2025

• Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
• 6-month TEFL Tuition: $8,350
• International Student Service Fee:  $800 (2 quarters)
• UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $1,430 (2 quarters)
• 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.)

• January 2 - June 6
• March 24 - September 6
• June 18 - December 12
• October 1 - March 6, 2026

• Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
• 6-month TEFL Tuition: $9,990
• International Student Service Fee:  $800 (2 quarters)
• UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $1,560 (2 quarters)
• 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.)

Note: If you transfer directly from a 8-week UC San Diego English Language Institute ESL program or UC San Diego English Language Institute TEFL program, you will receive a $500 discount on your tuition for the six-month TEFL Professional Certificate.

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.

Mari Takeuchi
Japan

My favorite part of studying in UC San Diego Extended Studies TEFL program is that it consists of not only international students but also local students. The TEFL Practicum class has been my most enjoyable experience so far. We created lesson plans each week and gave mini lessons to the other members of a small group. We gave feedback to each other and shared wonderful ideas.

To maximize your TEFL training, you can add a specialization to the TEFL Professional program for an additional cost. View more information about the two specialization options we offer by clicking below. Students who successfully complete all the required courses for the specialization will receive an additional “award of completion” (certificate).  

• Specialization in Teaching English Grammar (TEG)

• Specialization in Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL)