CESL is a CEA-accredited language program that offers face-to-face and online courses that range from 100 to 150 hours of training. Please see our three TEFL/TESOL Certificate options below to determine which one better meets your time availability, learning preferences, and interests. We also offer options for fulfilling an in-person practicum.
What is TEFL/TESOL?
A TEFL/TESOL certificate is recognized worldwide as the entry-level credential for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL); this is also known as TESOL, which means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A TEFL/TESOL Certificate prepares people without prior education degrees or teaching experience how to teach English in the foreign language classroom.
A TEFL/TESOL Certificate is the right choice for you if:
- You are interested in becoming an English teacher in a country where English is not the official language;
- You are a professional in a related field who is considering transitioning into English language teaching;
- You are a language teacher who wants to complete coursework for professional development purposes.
Certificate Options
Fully Online
120-Hour Certificate. This course is offered completely online on a self-paced basis. It runs year-round, and students can begin at any time. Students are not required to interact with an instructor or to meet any weekly deadlines. This course is suitable for those motivated learners who need to complete their TEFL/TESOL Certificate in a short period of time or by a specific date.
Applications are processed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.
This Certificate course consists of a series of 18 modules organized in 8 units completed entirely online and on a self-paced basis. The 120-hour Online TEFL/TESOL Certificate has the most comprehensive curriculum but due to its self-paced nature, students are not required to meet weekly deadlines and they don't interact with an instructor or their classmates. Students are expected to spend 120 hours working through the course content. Each module consists of an introductory lecture that summarizes the module readings and videos. Every two or three modules, students take a quiz and need to obtain a minimum score of 75% in order to progress to the next unit. They also need to complete a practical assignment where they apply the knowledge acquired. At the end of the course, a Final Portfolio with the collection of assignments is submitted for review by CESL faculty.
Students receive a "120-hour TEFL/TESOL Certificate" upon receiving a Pass grade in the Final Portfolio; their certificate will be mailed via FedEx within 2 weeks of the final grade being granted.
Students who need or would like to add classroom experience can supplement this 120-hour TEFL/TESOL Certificate with a 20-hour or 40-hour Practicum.
CESL provides Notarization and Authentication services that are required for work visa processing, as well as job placement advice for certain countries.
| Course Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition $795 ($100 discount applies!) | $695 |
| Application Fee | $ 30 |
| Technology Fee | $ 20 |
| Domestic Mailing Fee | $ 35 |
| Total | $780.00 |
- No UA Affiliate Discounts apply to this course.
- A fee of $45 for international mailing can be added upon course completion, should that be necessary.
- No refunds will be issued after submission of a payment.
In Person
100-Hour Certificate. This is an in-person four-week course that is offered in the summer. Instruction is delivered on the University of Arizona campus by CESL faculty together with an online component. It consists of 70 hours of coursework and 30 hours of teaching Practicum. If you'd like more information about our in-person course, please contact us.
| Course Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $1,515 |
| Application Fee* | $ 30 |
| Total | $1,545 |
*Non-refundable, paid at time of application. In the event that the program does not proceed due to insufficient enrollment, you may apply the $30 credit towards our online self-paced 120-hour TEFL certificate program.
Applicants whose First Language is not English might need to take CESL's English Proficiency Test (CEPT) if they don't have any other proof of English language proficiency. English proficiency must be demonstrated prior to being admitted to the program. (See other options above under Admissions Requirements.)
Refund Policy
If the course is canceled due to lack of enrollment, students have the option to refund tuition mins the application fee or transfer both tuition and application fee to the 120 Hour Online TEFL/TESOL Certificate Program.
20- or 40-Hour Practicum. CESL provides students the opportunity to add classroom teaching experience through an on-site Practicum. Many institutions abroad require that students who have completed an online TEFL/TESOL Certificate have at least some classroom experience. Both the 20 and the 40 hour course are in-person at the University of Arizona and are only available to those who already have a TEFL/TESOL Certificate. Note: We don’t process visa forms for these short-term course options.
On-Demand
Our on-demand option is an online teacher-led program that is offered to educational institutions interested in training a group of teachers. The program consists of three 50-hour, 8-week long courses that last a total of six months. Students meet with their instructor once a week to discuss the module materials and its applicability to their teaching context. If interested, please contact us for more information.
Want to learn more about our TEFL Certificate options?
Admission Requirements
In order to enroll in these TEFL/TESOL courses, the following requirements must be met:
- Provide a valid photo identification document;
- Have completed at least two years of college-level coursework;
- Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate very independent English proficiency (B2 or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference [CEFR]).
Important Notes
- All TEFL/TESOL Certificate courses are not credit-bearing and, therefore, do not count towards an undergraduate or graduate degree.
- A TEFL/TESOL Certificate does not allow you to teach in the U.S. unless you have another qualifying degree or certification.
- CESL provides Notarization and Authentication services that are required for work visa processing, as well as job placement advising for certain countries.