Northwestern State University’s Department of Language and Communication received approval to initiate offer graduate certification in Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).  The program will equip students with the knowledge and training necessary to teach the English language to children and adults whose first (native) language is not English. Students must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university to be eligible for the program.

TESOL certification is not to be confused with a post-baccalaureate add-on certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL) offered through Northwestern State’s College of Education and Human Development.  That program is designed for a different student population.

“The TESOL program is designed for students who do not plan to pursue state teacher certification and who wish to teach English in an educational organization other than the public school system. These organizations include private schools, private businesses, government agencies and community-based programs,” said Dr. James Mischler, program coordinator. “There is a growing need in Louisiana, as well as nationally, for English teachers to serve in these educational settings. The graduate certificate in TESOL is designed to helpmeet that need.”

The TESOL program will consist of 15 hours of coursework, which can be completed in one academic year.

“Several elective courses are also available. If the student desires, one or more of these courses can be completed to gain additional knowledge and training in various aspects of TESOL, such as language proficiency testing,” Mischler said.

The program will be available for the Spring 2013 semester.

All of the courses in the TESOL graduate certificate program are conducted online,” Mischler said.  “Northwestern State University is a leader in Internet-based education at the postsecondary level.”