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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Online TESOL Endorsement for Teachers

Summer Application Deadline Extended to April 18

  • Offered fully online.
  • Courses are offered in the summer.
  • Endorsement for Ohio licensed teachers.

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The TESOL Endorsement is for teachers with an Ohio teaching license who are interested in obtaining the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) endorsement. Those who do not have an Ohio teaching license can pursue the same coursework through the TEFL graduate certificate

Program Code: TESOL Endorsement Non-Degree Track - ND8887

Delivery Modes: Offered fully online.

For more information, contact Dr. Gabriela Castañeda-Gleason.

About the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement

The program is available to post-baccalaureate students with an Ohio teaching license who are seeking the TESOL endorsement.

  • Online: The online classes can be taken during Summer Session 1 and during Summer Session 2.

The program is available to post-baccalaureate students with an Ohio teaching license who are seeking the endorsement only and not the M.A. in Applied Linguistics degree. Students will take four linguistics courses: introduction to linguistics, language learning, methods and materials, and a language teaching practicum. The language teaching practicum involves 50 hours of field experience during which the candidate will observe and assist a P-12 teacher who has English Language Learners in class. This field experience can take place in a school or after-school program/club. Candidates are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program, and must treat students, colleagues, and instructors with respect and use professional and clear communication within the program. In addition to the coursework, students must successfully pass the state-mandated assessment of English to Speakers of Other Languages (Ohio Assessment for Educators test #021) in order to add the TESOL Endorsement to their Ohio license.

Career Opportunities upon Completion

This TESOL Endorsement, which is added to an existing Ohio teaching license, contributes to increased knowledge and potential higher earnings as well as securing a teaching position. The need for teachers who are trained to work with English Language Learners continues to grow nationally and in Ohio, as the state has settled thousands of refugees and has a large immigrant population. Teachers who complete the endorsement have the opportunity to put 10 of these credit hours toward a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics at Ohio University.

TESOL Endorsement Courses offered in the Summer

Students can pursue the online TESOL endorsement by taking classes during Summer Session 1 and Summer Session 2.

How to Earn the TESOL Endorsement

All candidates are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program. Students must pass the appropriate Ohio Assessment for Educator examination in order to add the TESOL endorsement to their teaching license. Candidates must treat students, colleagues, and instructors with respect and use professional and clear communication within the program.

Note: Upon completion of all TESOL Endorsement coursework, candidates have five years to apply to have the endorsement added to their Ohio License. After five years, all coursework expires and must be retaken.

It is incumbent upon students outside Ohio to verify whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in their state.

Completion Requirements

  1. Minimum semester hours required: 14
  2. Required courses: LING 5500 Introduction to Linguistics; LING 5750 Language Learning; LING 5800 Methods and Materials in TEFL; LING 5920 Language Teaching Practicum
  3. Field experience: Yes, 50 hours. The Language Teaching Practicum includes 50 clock hours of field experience. Students choose their own field experience location. The field experience must involve at least some engagement with P-12 English Language Learners, such as tutoring or teaching. The location can be in a school or in an after-school program or club. All field experience locations and activities will need to be pre-approved by the Language Teaching Practicum professor. No video recording or observations by the Language Teaching Practicum professor are required for this endorsement.
  4. Thesis requirement: No
  5. Qualifying exam: No
  6. Comprehensive exam: Passing the Ohio Assessment for Educators (021) will be required to add the TESOL Endorsement to your Ohio teaching license.

Course Requirements

14 credit hours

  • LING 5500: Introduction to Linguistics (4 credit hours)
  • LING 5750: Language Learning (4 credit hours)
  • LING 5800: Methods and Materials in TEFL (4 credit hours)
  • *LING 5920: Language Teaching Practicum (2 credit hours)

*The Language Teaching Practicum includes 50 clock hours of field experience. Students choose their own field experience location. The field experience must involve at least some engagement with English Language Learners, such as tutoring or teaching. The location can be in a school, or in an after-school program or club. All field experience locations and activities will need to be pre-approved by the Language Teaching Practicum professor. No video recording or observations by the Language Teaching Practicum professor are required for this endorsement. The field work hours can be completed during the next Fall Semester at no extra cost (pre-approval necessary).

Course Schedule

Classes are offered as follows:

 Summer Session I | May 15- June 30

   • LING 5500: Introduction to Linguistics (4 credit hours)
   • LING 5750: Language Learning (4 credit hours)

Summer Session 2 | July 3 – Aug. 18

   • LING 5800: Methods and Materials in TEFL (4 credit hours)
   • LING 5920: Language Teaching Practicum (2 credit hours)

Admission Requirements

  • Current Ohio Teaching License
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Brief statement of purpose (1-2 pages) by the candidate
  • For non-native English speakers: Minimum TOEFL: 600 (paper), 100 (iBT), or IELTS: 7.0 overall average.

International Students

This endorsement program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Apply Now

How to Apply

  • On the application form, select "Graduate Non-Degree/Certificate/Endorsement Application."
  • Under Program Selection, select the non-degree admission type of: "Licensure Endorsement," then chose TESOL Endorsement (online) from the program list.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency, and program.

Program Mission

The program allows students studying at the graduate level who are not enrolled in the Linguistics graduate program to become licensed to teach P-12 English Language students. Candidates must already hold a valid Ohio teaching license.

Program Learning Objectives

  • Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of students of diverse cultural and language backgrounds.
  • Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of English structure and usage.
  • Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the process of language learning.
  • Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the context of second (new) language acquisition in the United States.
  • Candidates demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the assessment of second (new) language learners.
  • Candidates demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the instruction of linguistically diverse learners, including utilizing technology for their learning.
  • Candidates observe and interact with second (new) language learners.
  • Candidates keep current with research findings, instructional techniques, and education policy issues and use this information to inform their teaching practice and to provide support for English Language Learners and their families.