TEFL Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate
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Teach English overseas, live abroad, and experience another culture
Hamline has been preparing people to become effective teachers of English to speakers of foreign languages for more than thirty years. Whether you have little to no teaching experience or have already spent your career in a classroom, this program provides you with what you need to join our graduates who have taught in more than 40 countries worldwide!
Why study at Hamline?
- Learn the teaching techniques you need to function effectively in an English as a foreign language classroom from internationally recognized faculty
- Gain hands-on experience through 40 hours of teaching and observation in a classroom with English learners—real-world training is not often found in most other programs
- Earn an internationally recognized certificate that follows rigorous international standards that reputable employers expect and respect
- Experience the Hamline difference: Our program is one of only two university-based, accredited programs in the Midwest, with global recognition of our program and preference for our graduates, whom employers know receive the best training available
What will it take?
TEFL Certificate program details
Start dates and application deadlines
We review applications on a rolling basis, meaning that you can apply anytime.
You can start the TEFL Certificate program once per year in the fall. We recommend applying at least six weeks before the term you want to start to ensure your spot.
TEFL Certificate program format
Hamline's Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate is on campus. Classes meet one evening a week, typically from 6 to 9 p.m.
Time to complete your TEFL Certificate
The typical time to complete the certificate is typically 9 months when you take TEFL I in fall term and TEFL II in spring term.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language courses
You’ll finish your certificate in two courses. You’ll earn a total of eight semester credits. If you hold a bachelor's degree you’ll receive graduate credit; if not you’ll get undergraduate credit.
- ESL 7621: TEFL Certificate Part I
- ESL 7622: TEFL Certificate Part II
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
How to apply to the TEFL Certificate program
Applying to the TEFL certificate program is simple and only required if this is the first certificate you’ve applied for at Hamline or if you are not enrolled in another Hamline School of Education degree or certificate program.
- Online application (no fee)
- Official transcript of a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 2.5 from a regionally-accredited college or university.
- This should be sent directly from the institution to Graduate Admission or provided in a sealed, signed envelope. Official electronic transcripts should be emailed from the institution to gradprog@hamline.edu.
- You do not have to supply transcripts for courses taken at Hamline University.
- One-page statement that addresses why you aspire to teach English as a foreign language
One of the things that attracted me to the program was that the TEFL certificate counted toward a master’s degree, which was a great way for me to test out the program. I had a great time in the program, which inspired me to continue on and earn my master’s.
How we help make your TEFL certificate affordable
Competitive tuition
When you invest in a TEFL certificate from Hamline, you benefit from a prestigious degree from Minnesota's first university.
Financial aid
Federal student loans are available for the evening courses, depending on eligibility. You also have the option of setting up a payment plan with the student accounts office. A minimal fee is charged for the payment plan.