Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate

Frequently asked questions about the TEFL Certificate

• What will I learn about in the TEFL Certificate program?

  The certificate program covers two fundamental areas for the TEFL practitioner, as follows:

  The context of language learning

  • Factors that affect second language acquisition
  • Understanding cultural traits and norms—your own and others'
  • Learning theories

  Language teaching practices

  • Analyzing students’ needs
  • Teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing
  • Teaching grammar in context
  • Teaching pronunciation
  • Teaching vocabulary
  • Teaching English for special purposes
  • Lesson planning
  • Using classroom aids
  • Error awareness and correction
  • Classroom management
  • Assessing teaching effectiveness
     
• Where can I find a job with a TEFL Certificate?

  Certificate completers have taught in more than 40 countries around the world.  Here are some of the countries where our graduates have secured teaching positions:

  • Vietnam
  • Colombia
  • Spain
  • Thailand
  • Korea
  • Japan
  • Czech Republic
  • Poland
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Argentina
  • France
  • Ethiopia
  • China
  • Taiwan
  • Costa Rica
  • Mexico
  • Italy
  • Turkey
  • Morocco
• What kind of jobs can you do with a TEFL Certificate?

  The majority of jobs with a TEFL Certificate are in private language institutes, working with adult learners. There are many private schools around that world that serve young learners as well, but completers report that most of their work is with adults.

  There are also positions through some exchange programs working in K-12 schools. Completers have been accepted by JET (Japanese Teaching Program), the French government teaching assistant program, the Central European Teaching Program, and the Fulbright Teaching Assistant Program. Some of these allow you to teach in the European Union, where it can otherwise be difficult to get a work permit.

  Finally, many completers have found positions in universities in China and Korea.

• What are my scheduling options?

  Evening/weekend program—designed for working adults
  Spring 2023 (one term, 8 credits)

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 26 to May 4, 2023, 6 to 9 p.m.
  • Six Saturdays: February 4 and 18, March 4 and 18, April 15 and 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  Extended daytime option
  Fall 2022 to Spring 2023 (two terms, 4 credits per term)

  • Fall term: Mondays, August 29 to December 5, 2022
  • Spring term: Mondays, January 23 to May 1, 2023, 12:40 to 3:40 p.m., plus three additional hours per week during spring term at times to be arranged
• Do you help certificate completers to find jobs?

  We are dedicated to supporting you in your job search, both during the course and following completion. When you enroll in the program, you have access to the following services:

  • A career opportunities workshop, where you practice interview skills, and learn about writing your resume and cover letter
  • Our job placement files, including listings of schools, job openings from the internet, and postings from our completers
  • A panel discussion with completers who have returned from teaching abroad
  • On-going job counseling including feedback on resumes, cover letters, and more
  • Job referrals and recommendations are available for successful completers
     
• Why does your program cost more than some of the others I’ve seen advertised?

  Once you've been accepted to Hamline's TEFL certificate program, you get to work with one professor in a group of six to 10 student teachers during your practicum. All of our faculty have years of international experience and hold master's degrees in ESL or PhDs in education.

  When you complete TEFL at Hamline, you receive 8 semester credits. This is one of the few programs in the U.S. to do so, and if you take the program as a graduate student, all of the credits can apply to many of Hamline’s master’s degrees in education. Many certificate completers have used their credits towards other schools' masters programs, but that is always determined by the receiving institution. Former students have also been able to use the credits towards re-licensing in a variety of fields.

• Do I earn college credit?

  All individuals completing the TEFL Certificate course earn 8 semester credits. Those holding a bachelor's degree will receive graduate credit. Others will receive undergraduate credit.

• What if I want to teach ESL in the US?

  Many of our completers teach here, either in private language schools or in community-based adult education programs. Some use the certificate along with a teaching license to teach in the Adult Basic Education system. In Minnesota, those with a master's degree in another field, along with 18 semester credits in ESL, are eligible to teach in the community college system. TEFL and Advanced TEFL can fulfill that requirement.

• Your program seems longer than some I’ve come across. Why is that?

  The standard for reputable TEFL Certificate programs around the world is that a course meets 100-120 hours and includes a substantial student-teaching component.

  Depending on the format, we meet 110 to 120 hours, and 40 of those are spent in an ESL classroom with your colleagues and instructors. The practicum is fully integrated into the program. Remember, you are also working towards valuable credits that can become a part of an advanced degree. Most people don’t come into TEFL at Hamline thinking they want a master's degree, but nearly 20% of our students go on to complete the Advanced TEFL Certificate or the MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at Hamline.

• What kind of financial aid is available?

  Federal student loans are only available for the evening and weekend extensive courses, depending on eligibility. Students in evening and weekend extensive courses also have the option of setting up a payment plan with the student accounts office. A minimal fee is charged for the payment plan.