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TEFL Proficiency Program

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TEFL Proficiency Program

Ready to become a great English teacher? The Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Proficiency program is perfect for you! In just three months, you'll learn everything you need to confidently teach English.

Who will Benefit

For aspiring language teachers, the TEFL Proficiency program is perfect for turning your dream into reality. The program offers a quick learning experience with a mix of required and optional classes, allowing you to focus on what interests you the most. You may select classes that align with your preferences, making learning more enjoyable. Begin your journey today!

Program Details

Classes:

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

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.

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.

Advanced Analysis of English Sentence Structure I or II (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.

One or more skills-based course

This course will focus on teaching a specific skill area like reading, writing, speaking, listening, or pronunciation. This course will vary depending on course availability each quarter.

Elective courses (3 - 6 units)

You can choose more skills-based classes that are available or other elective classes:

TEFL Practicum: Best Methods in Developing and Delivering Lesson Plans (3 units) - strongly recommended
TEYL Classroom Management (3 units)
Teaching English to the Intermediate Young Learner (ages 8-11) (3 units)
Teaching Young English Learners in the Primary Grades (ages 4-7) (3 units)

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 TEFL Proficiency Program.

Dates & Prices

2024 Dates:

January 3 - March 15
March 27 - June 7
June 26 - September 6
October 2 - December 13

2024 Prices:

Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
Tuition: $6,000
International Student Service Fee: $400
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $715
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.)

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: $6,490
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.)

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

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.

Testimonial

Makoto Kawamura
Japan

My goal is to become an English teacher in Japan. The TEFL program helped me to arrange lesson plans focusing on speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Because many of the teaching methods covered are not common in my country, I am constantly learning new ways of teaching. Many of the techniques I learned in the TEFL program will help me teach not only in English, but other languages as well.