Certificate of Advanced Studies in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE*

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE is a 12-credit graduate level program* focusing on the teaching of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) and the teaching of languages other than English (TLOTE). It prepares individuals for careers teaching languages in a variety of educational, community, business, and even government contexts, and can be completed on a regular or accelerated, 8-month schedule.

* Note that the CAS in Language Teaching is not an MA program. For the MA, please see the MA in Linguistic Studies with a concentration in Language Teaching

What can the CAS in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE do for you?

The CAS in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE provides professional training in second and foreign language teaching.

The Certificate

• will qualify you for entry-level language teaching positions in English and languages other than English in the USA and for some higher-level language teaching positions overseas. In combination with other advanced degrees, it may provide further academic and professional opportunities.
• will prepare you for teaching English to recent immigrants to the US, international business executives in the US and abroad, university students, and children in private schools in the US and elsewhere.
• will enable you to teach languages other than English in various educational, community, business, and even government contexts.
• will help you if you are a very early career individual or are seeking a mid-career change to a field becoming more competitive as employers increasingly look for candidates with accredited qualifications.
• will assist you in later pursuing a further graduate degree, e.g. a Master's degree in Linguistic Studies.

Accreditation

The CAS in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE is a credit-bearing Certificate program and therefore comes with the University's assurance of cutting-edge, high quality education.

Many independent certificate programs exist, particularly in TESOL, but they are often not accredited (click here for the TESOL.org Position Statement on Independent Short term TESL/TEFL Certificate Programs).

A particular advantage of the CAS in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE is that all credits are applicable to the completion of Syracuse University's MA in Linguistic Studies with a concentration in Language Teaching. The MA in Linguistic Studies — Language Teaching -- a 30-credit degree program -- may qualify you for higher-level language teaching positions in English and languages other than English as well as various teacher training or managerial positions in the US and abroad. Graduates of the CAS in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE may also find that credits are transferable to related graduate degree programs at other institutions.

Example Program Duration

Note: Please consult the Course Catalog for the specific CAS in Language Teaching requirements.

On a regular academic schedule, you can complete the CAS in Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE in three semesters:

Semester 1 (Fall): LIN 601, Introductory Linguistic Analysis

Semester 2 (Spring): LIN 621, Introduction to Methods for Language Teaching

Semester 3 (Fall): LIN 622, Advanced Methods for Language Teaching

(plus one elective during any semester)

On an accelerated schedule, you may be able to complete the certificate program in eight months:

July 4 - 23 (3 weeks): LIN 601, Introductory Linguistic Analysis (intensive; hybird: online + campus)

July 24 - Aug 10 (3 weeks): LIN 621, Introduction to Methods for Language Teaching (intensive; asynchronous online)

Fall semester: LIN 622, Advanced Methods for Language Teaching

(plus one elective at any time)

* If you are an international student following the CAS in Language Teaching program only, you cannot enroll in the regular, part-time acadamic schedule beginning in Fall. Instead, you must enroll in the accelerated Summer-start schedule in order to maintain your visa status. You will be considered full-time in your first semester (July - Aug) and part-time in your final semester (Fall). In your application, you should indicate a summer start, when available.

Admissions Requirements and Deadlines

Students may be admitted at any time during the academic year, although we recommend submitting your application a minimum of three months before the start date. International students are strongly advised to allow more time for visa processing, and to seek a full-time schedule to maintain their visa status. Applications require the following:

• Syracuse University Graduate School application form
• Bachelor's degree (GPA 3.0 or above)
• University transcripts
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• TOEFL (600 PBT/100 iBT) or IELTS (7) for non-native speakers of English