Teaching English as a Foreign Language

• Average Cost
  ^$8,150
• Certificate Program
• Format
  On Campus
  
  Duration
  11 weeks
  
  Curriculum
  
  Internship
  
  Stay Informed

Curriculum

• Theories Survey
• Find out how people learn languages as you compare first language and second language acquisition and child and adult foreign language learning. Understand the learning theories that are the foundation of various teaching methodologies, and develop strategies that you can use in your own teaching situations.
• Methods of TEFL
• Explore current methods for teaching specific skill areas such as speaking, listening, reading and writing with an emphasis placed on communicative teaching techniques and theories. Develop lesson plans, materials and instructional aids for your classroom, and learn how to motivate your students to study and learn by using a wide variety of language games and techniques.
• Language Diagnostics and Assessment
• Improve your understanding of assessment strategies, gain new insight into the purpose of testing and interpreting test results. Discuss, analyze, and practice formal and informal ways of assessing your student’s speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
• Teaching the Skills
• Learn general principles and strategies for effectively teaching the English language skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Topics will include needs assessment, setting objectives, and selecting and using the appropriate materials.
• TEFL Practicum
• Prepare to be a successful ESL/EFL teacher. Cover principles for effective teaching and classroom practices. Practice teaching a variety of classroom activities focusing on different language skills. Evaluate peer presentations orally and self-presentation in writing. Observe or present communicative activities in authentic ESL classes and present a cultural lesson at a local school.
• Teaching Pronunciation Skills
• Receive an introduction to the fields of phonetics and phonology as they relate to second language learning. Learn about practical issues and methods in the teaching of pronunciation, along with pronunciation problems common to many ESL students. Students will also have a chance to practice and improve their own pronunciation.
• Teaching English as a Career
• Prepare to teach overseas in three phases: finding a job, preparing to go, and living/working overseas. This course will help you assess your goals, review resources necessary for the application process, and raise awareness of what you will encounter while living and working in a different country. Receive guidance on resume building, interviewing skills, and using technology in the classroom.
• Teaching Young Learners
• Examine theoretical issues and pedagogical practices surround the teaching of EFL to young learners. Learn to recognize the differences in young learner age groups, understand basic concepts of childhood language development, and utilize different strategies and basic principles of classroom management and motivation of young learners.

TEFL Internship (optional)

Get the opportunity to work as a teacher in a real-world setting, take on workplace projects, earn academic credit, learn new skills and concepts, and make professional contacts!

Internships are unpaid positions lasting 3 months. Students are eligible after the successful completion of the TEFL Certificate Program. TEFL Interns are paired with a Master Teacher in our Academic 10-Week ESL program and also participate in weekly Internship debriefings with an Internship Instructor. TEFL Interns can also participate in a variety of administrative-level tasks within International Programs for approximately 20-35 hours per week.

Program Details

11 weeks, Monday-Friday, expect to attend approximately 15 class hours per week.
Classes are held between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
UC Irvine Campus

Upcoming Program Dates

Please check back for subsequent quarterly dates.

Fees

*Ask about our Certificate Program Fee discount for locals.

In this cohort program, you will begin classes with a group of people and move together through your schedule of classes to graduation. This provides an enhanced opportunity for personal growth and professional development as you get to know a few colleagues — colleagues that you can rely upon while you’re in the program as well as call upon after graduation.

How to Enroll

We are accepting applications for enrollment now.

• Please complete the online application. Upon acceptance, you will be contacted by email with instructions to complete your enrollment and pay.
• Full payment is due by the first day of the program

Start Your International Experience Here

• Work together with international TEFL students
• Observe and gain insight from our highly trained English language teachers in ESL classroom settings
• Interact with international ESL students through social activities and tutoring opportunities

Overseas Job Advice

English language teaching positions are readily available in many foreign countries to native English speakers with no formal training, but gaining the specialized training and practical teaching skills will give you a head-start to better teaching opportunities.

We provide advice on how to find an overseas teaching job and what to look out for. To successfully start you on your new adventure, our advisor will answer questions related to global cultures and local customs, travel, and selecting the best location for you — whether it's Asia, South America, or Europe.

“The UCI TEFL Program prepared me for every step involved in becoming an English teacher working abroad. From job interviews to lesson planning, from pedagogical theory to practice, from cultural sensitivity to culture shock, TEFL at UCI engaged every aspect of the process. Not only does this program provide the classroom skills required to be an effective English teacher, but it aids in preparing one for life abroad. Importantly, this program instills one with a sense of professionalism that has helped me foster great relationships with my employers overseas. A successful tour teaching abroad consists of two elements: the job and the adventure. I have been swimming in the Yellow Sea, mountain climbing in Japan, touring ancient palaces in Korea and all the while thriving in the workplace. The UCI TEFL program sets up its graduates for just such a success.” Andrew Bollhagen
Program Graduate (teaching in Korea)

FAQs

• I speak English perfectly well. Why do I need a certificate to get a job?
• In the past, especially in countries that were cut off from a supply of native speakers of English, any American could simply ask for a job teaching English and be given one. Today, school administrators are more particular about the qualifications of the individuals they hire. Being a native speaker of English does not automatically confer the ability to teach the language. A TEFL Certificate shows prospective employers that you possess the professional tools to teach English successfully. Not only will you be a more attractive candidate to employers, but your skills, knowledge and teaching experience will make you more comfortable, confident and effective as a teacher.
• I’m confused by all these terms: ESL, EFL, TEFL, TESL, and TESOL. What do they mean? How are they different?
• All of these terms refer to teaching English to individuals who are not native speakers of the language. ESL stands for English as a Second Language, and TESL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language. EFL refers to English as a Foreign Language, and TEFL, as you would expect, to Teaching EFL. In general, ESL is used to refer to teaching English in an English-speaking country, and EFL to teaching English in a country whose official language is not English. TESOL, which stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is becoming more commonly used because it encompasses both TEFL and TESL. Most EFL/ESL training programs now use the standard label of "TEFL Certificate Program" for their teacher training courses.
• Do I need to know the language of my students?
• No. Most schools today do not encourage the use of students’ native languages in class, even when the students are beginners. Further, in many settings students in the same class may have a variety of native languages.
• Do I need a college degree?
• We do not require participants in our program to have a college degree. Having one may be helpful, however, in securing a job. Some schools require candidates to have a degree, and some countries, such as Japan, will not issue a work visa to individuals who are not college graduates. Still, there are many opportunities for teachers with TEFL certificates but no college degree, both in the U.S. and overseas.
• Will I receive assistance in my job search?
• A special teaching abroad course is part of our TEFL Certificate Program. Topics include finding employment, interviewing techniques, resume writing, evaluating a contract, and other skills that will start you off in the right direction. We have extensive resources to help you locate available jobs, and offer appointments with job coordinator to assistant you with your search.
• What kinds of jobs can I get?
• TEFL program graduates find jobs in grade schools, high schools, universities, adult education centers, private language schools and social service organizations. Some people even free-lance, teaching business people in their offices, or meeting for one-on-one conversation classes. The kind of job you get depends partly on the kind you want, the city or country where you would like to work, your previous experience and your performance at job interviews. Keep in mind that as you gain teaching experience, you will have a wider range of opportunities from which to choose, and a better sense of which assignments suit your skills and interests.
• Where can I get a job?
• English teachers can find jobs all over the world. Countries that currently have especially great demand for native speakers of English include those in Asia (Korea, Japan, China, Thailand), in Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile), in Eastern and Central Europe (Poland, Hungary, Russia), and in the Near/Middle East (Morocco, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates). It is challenging for holders of American passports to find work in countries belonging to the European Union, but many of our graduates have been successful in finding jobs after they move to the European country where they wish to work.
  
  ESL teaching assignments are plentiful in the US. Teachers at language schools generally start out with part-time work, which often leads to a full-time job. Adult education centers, local governments, religious organizations and social service agencies frequently organize ESL classes. TEFL graduates without state teaching certification can get jobs in private elementary and high schools, and sometimes can find work in public school systems where ESL teachers are in short supply. Finally, some graduates may qualify to teach at community colleges or university-run intensive English programs.
• How much can I expect to earn?
• How much you earn overseas will depend on the country in which you work and your level of experience. In some countries, such as Japan, Korea or Kuwait, you will be able to live well, while saving money to bring home. In countries where the economy is weaker and the exchange rate less favorable, such as Mexico or Thailand, you should be able to live comfortably on a teacher’s salary, but not save much in dollars. In addition, depending on the country and the contract, you may be provided with health insurance and accommodations. Some teachers even have all or part of their airfare paid by the school that hires them.
  
  In the United States, teaching rates at language schools typically range from $15 to $20 per hour for general teaching, and $22 to $50 for specialized teaching or privately-arranged classes. A full-time teaching load at a language school is typically 25-28 hours per week. Full-time teachers generally receive employee benefits. Pay for teachers in public or private schools will vary according to the location and the individual’s teaching experience.

English Proficiency Requirement
All certificate programs at UCI Division of Continuing Education (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation.