TEFL Professional Certificate
Who should take this program?
If you would like to develop modern English language teaching techniques to teach English in non-English speaking countries and in U.S. classrooms, enroll in the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Professional Certificate program. The TEFL Professional Certificate program opens doors to job opportunities both abroad and in the U.S. Learn best practices and methodology for teaching EFL students from our dynamic instructors who have years of experience teaching all over the world.
The 2023 TEFL Professional Certificate dates:
- January 4 - June 16
- April 5 - September 15
- July 5 - December 15 (July 4 is a holiday)
- October 4 - March 15, 2024
What this program includes
- Advanced Analysis of English Sentence Structure I (3 units)
- Best Methods in Teaching Listening Skills (3 units)
- Best Methods in Teaching Pronunciation and Fluency (3 units)
- Best Methods in Teaching Speaking Skills (3 units)
- Teaching Writing for Academic and Professional Purposes (3 units)
- Theories and Methods of Language Teaching and Learning (3 units)
- Theory and Methods of Reading Instruction (3 units)
In addition, 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)
Specialization Options
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).
Admission Requirements
Below, please find the minimum requirements for acceptance to this program. We carefully review the background and qualifications of each applicant to ensure that those admitted into the TEFL Certificate program will have a successful experience.
Language Proficiency Requirement
- 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
- ELI level (8-week programs): 7 or higher
Additional Admission Requirements
- Copy of your transcripts in English for the two most recent years of academic studies
- A one-page statement explaining why you would like to take any TEFL Certificate program
Application Deadlines
All programs close when they are full. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis until all seats available are taken by the most qualified applicants. Acceptance deadline is 3 weeks before the program start-date.
All enrolled students are required to complete an online pre-arrival orientation before starting the TEFL Professional Certificate.
Program Schedule
- Monday – Thursday, occasional Saturdays
- Afternoon and evening courses; no morning courses
- Schedule varies
Location
All classes are held on the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies campus in La Jolla.
Cost (in U.S. dollars)
2023
- 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.)
Discount on the 6-month format:
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.
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For a complete list of all programs, please visit our Courses and Programs page.