Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Through the teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) certificate, students prepare to become successful teachers of English to speakers of other languages by providing the necessary foundations in linguistics, in theories of language learning and teaching, and in the practice of teaching. 

The 15-credit certificate program is offered online and can be completed by anyone, anywhere through University Without Walls, as well as by current UMass Amherst students. The certificate is designed to be completed in one year, though students can take longer or simply take individual courses without committing to the entire certificate in order to meet their needs for continuing education.

The TESOL certificate is offered by the linguistics department in collaboration with the English as a second language (ESL) program and the literature, languages, and cultures department.