Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

At the completion of this degree students will demonstrate:

1. an ability to apply the theoretical principles and concepts which underpin contemporary TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) specific practices
2. an understanding of the diverse needs of students and an ability to frame creative solutions to problems of pedagogy
3. an ability to access key texts in the field, and to analyse critically key concepts in the field and an ability to synthesise information from a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives
4. an ability to communicate effectively, including the ability to communicate key concepts relevant to TESOL
5. an awareness of available technologies and an insight into how they can be used creatively to a specific advantage in TESOL
6. an awareness of the importance of self-directed learning for professional growth and a demonstrated ability to take responsibility for individual intellectual development
7. an awareness of the theoretical and practical implications for TESOL in a global context
8. an appreciation of the value of cultural and linguistic diversity and its place in TESOL
9. an ability to work both independently and as part of a team; plan a challenging and supportive learning environment.

A world-wide need has been identified for specialist English language teachers. There are three main groups who would benefit from the completion of this qualification: Practising teachers in all sectors - to develop an additional specialist teaching area; qualified teachers currently working overseas as TESOL teachers who feel they are being hampered by a lack of formal qualifications; first-language speakers of languages other than English who work as English language teachers in their own countries and who need a qualification from a university in an English-speaking country that might assist their career.

Professional recognition

When the degree is undertaken by practising teachers from other disciplines, successful completion of the Certificate will provide an additional specialised teaching area. Successful completion of the Certificate will provide a qualification which will allow graduates to be considered for specialist ESL and EFL teaching positions at language centres in Australia and overseas. Student teachers hoping to use their Grad Cert TESOL in schools and centres in NSW (and other states where a practicum component is compulsory) should choose the practicum unit (CUR-TESOL505 Planning, execution and evaluation of TESOL) along with the unit Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language Methodologies (CUR-TESOL502). CUR-TESOL 505 will replace CUR-TESOL 501 Materials design and assessment in this instance.

PLEASE NOTE: CSP funding has been secured for this Grad Cert TESOL

The Grad Cert TESOL is a pathway to the Curtin MA Applied Linguistics which builds on the knowledge and skills in TESOL developed in the Certificate. For more details on this see Curtin MA Applied Linguistics.

Below is link to the list of state-based teacher registration bodies for reference.

State-based Teacher Registration Bodies (PDF, 30Kb)

Higher education

A four year undergraduate degree in teaching including evidence to show the assessed practicum component

OR

A bachelor degree and a one year postgraduate degree in teaching including evidence to show the assessed practicum component

OR

A bachelor degree and a CELTA or Cert IV TESOL qualification including evidence to show the assessed practicum component

* Note: A Certificate IV In Training and Assessment is not an approved teaching qualification for entry into this program.

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants need to meet Curtin’s English Language requirement as all degrees are taught in English.

If your education degrees were not solely in English, as per the International Handbook of Universities or the World Higher Education database please attach a scanned original copy of English Proficiency Test results. Admission requires an overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) (or equivalent test) score of at least 6.5 and competence in all test components (IELTS score of 6.0).

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Entry Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/accepted-english-proficiency-tests/

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Practicum placement

Students may choose to enrol in TESOL505 Planning, Execution and Evaluation of TESOL, which includes a professional experience placement in an approved educational setting. The placement must be a minimum of 10 days duration. Please note that any checks and/or clearances required by the placement provider must be provided prior to commencement of the placement.

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).

The Graduate Certificate (TESOL) equips student teachers to Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages both in Australia and overseas.

This degree assists experienced, practising teachers in their career development by providing them with an additional specialist teaching area. For teachers who wish to add TESOL to their professional repertoire, this Certificate will provide them with a qualification which will allow them to work within the field in their current employment and assist with applications for positions at specialist language centres in Australia and overseas. Student teachers choose four of the five units on offer (see Subjects in this degree). One of these can be a practicum unit (CUR-TESOL505 Planning, execution and evaluation of TESOL) which requires student teachers to work alongside an approved mentor teacher in a school or language centre for 10 days with at least 20 hours of supervised and assessed face to face teaching practice within that time. Student teachers hoping to use their Grad Cert TESOL in schools and centres in NSW (and other states where a practicum component is compulsory) should choose the practicum unit (CUR-TESOL505 Planning, execution and evaluation of TESOL) alongside the unit Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language Methodologies (CUR-TESOL502) in SP1. CUR-TESOL 501 (Materials design and assessment) will not be chosen by those wishing to complete a practicum component as CUR-TESOL 505 replaces this unit.  

PLEASE NOTE: CSP funding has been secured for this Grad Cert TESOL

The Grad Cert TESOL is a pathway to the Curtin MA Applied Linguistics which builds on the knowledge and skills in TESOL developed in the Certificate. For more details on this see Curtin MA Applied Linguistics.

Recommended Study Pattern

Complete 4 subjects.

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in TESOL students must complete 4 subjects or equivalent.