Overview

Our TEFL Certificate Program thoughtfully combines current trends in language teaching pedagogy with traditional best practices in the language teaching field. Whether your aim is to teach adults, children, or both, our program content carefully addresses these unique audiences. This is a full-time, daytime program.

Benefits

  • Choose from a 3-month program of TEFL coursework or a 6-month program of TEFL coursework plus TEFL internship
  • Learn best practices of various current and traditional methodologies from distinguished teacher-trainers
  • Study together with native-English speakers in integrated classes
  • Attend local and/or regional professional CATESOL conferences to explore the most recent trends and developments
  • Further your career as an English teacher while networking with professionals in the TESL/TEFL field
  • Observe teachers in American ESL classrooms and then plan and conduct a lesson at an American school
  • Practice your teaching skills in a classroom setting
  • Develop the skills you need to succeed in further post-graduate studies in TEFL and related fields
  • Gain a competitive edge in the global English teaching job market with opportunities for TEFL internships within our own industry-leading ESL programs

Certificate Requirements

To earn a certificate at UCI Division of Continuing Education, students must complete all required courses with a grade of “C” or better.

Curriculum

Theories SurveyExpand

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.

TEFL PracticumExpand

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 English as a CareerExpand

Prepare to teach overseas in three phases: finding a job, preparing to go, and living/working overseas. One-on-one meetings will help you assess your goals, review resources necessary for the application process, and raise awareness of what you will encounter in living and working in a different country. Receive guidance on resume building, interviewing skills, and your country of choice in depth. Have the opportunity to observe on-campus ESL courses and discuss these observations with your peers in class.

Methods of TEFLExpand

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.

Teaching the SkillsExpand

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.

Teaching Pronunciation SkillsExpand

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 Young LearnersExpand

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.

Language Diagnostics and AssessmentExpand

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.

Internships

For an optional last course and for an additional fee of $2,900, you have the opportunity to apply academic theory and gain practical experience in UCI’s industry-leading ESL programs for up to three months.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

What time are ACPs offered?Expand
Classes are scheduled variously between 09:00 and 17:00 (California time).  Students will learn their specific class times when they enroll.

Is part-time study available?Expand
All ACP students must study full-time only.

What are the visa requirements of the program?Expand
An F-1 student visa is required for full-time, on-campus study.

Are there internship opportunities available after ACP study? Expand
Yes.  ACP programs offer internship opportunities at Southern California companies. 

Can ACP students apply for an OPT after their program?Expand
F-1 students who maintained their F-1 status for one full academic year (3 consecutive quarters) may apply for an OPT.  Contact an international student advisor at immigrationofficials@ce.uci.edu for more information.

Program Cost

Certificate Tuition: $7,900 USD

Approximate Total Cost: $14,100 USD

Amount shown above is an approximation for tuition plus living expenses (housing, transportation, meals, books, etc.) This amount is before any discounts applied and excludes airfare.

You can view all the tuition and fees rates on our Tuition and Fees page

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Admissions Requirements

UPCOMING PROGRAM DATES

Fall 2024Sep 30 - Dec 13
Spring 2025 Mar 31 - Jun 12