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Teach English Locally or Abroad

Student teacher working with a student.With English spreading more and more around the world, there’s a growing demand for people who can teach English to non-native speakers. You’ll be equipped to do just that with a certificate from UM-Dearborn in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). With a certificate in hand, you’ll be ready to teach English locally, in the United States, and around the world.

Our 15-credit program equips you with the essential content knowledge and teaching skills you need to educate students or adults whose first language is not English. It does not lead to state teacher certification or a state endorsement.

Where A TESOL Certificate Will Take You

Your TESOL certificate can open doors to a range of careers outside the traditional classroom. Opportunities exist within testing and assessment organizations, such as the ETS, as well as within law enforcement where linguistic skills are utilized for discrimination and speaker profiling cases. Additionally, a TESOL background can be utilized to assist marginalized communities in preserving endangered languages and managing community literacy programs.

Career and Salary Outlook

The information in this table is meant to give you an idea of career opportunities with this degree. All information is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is meant to be averages across the United States. Please note that these figures reflect overall averages and may not represent entry-level salaries.

$60,560 Median Salary

Adult Basic and Secondary Education and ESL Teachers

Employment of adult basic and secondary education and ESL teachers is projected to decline 13 percent from 2022 to 2032.

Despite declining employment, about 4,200 openings for adult basic and secondary education and ESL teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

You’ll learn about assessing English skills, teaching English for specific purposes, working with diverse student populations, and strategies for teaching English to non-native speakers. You’ll also gain invaluable hands-on teaching experience and the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experienced educators in the field.

Explore Program Requirements

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Tuition

Tuition and fees for certificate programs are updated and approved each year in June. Review the current schedule to estimate your costs.

Tuition and Fee Schedule

How to Apply

Next Steps

Become a part of the UM-Dearborn community and put your dreams to work for you.

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