Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Certificate (1782)


Program Coordinator

Mark M. McAndrews, mark.mcandrews@wku.edu

The TESOL Undergraduate Certificate prepares students to teach English to speakers of other languages domestically or abroad. When paired with a teacher certification program, or for individuals with existing teacher certification, completion of the TESOL Certificate leads to ESL endorsement from the Kentucky Department of Education. Individuals interested in opportunities outside of the public school system will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to teach English language learners in local language institutes and businesses, as well as a variety of international settings. The TESOL Certificate can be completed as a stand-alone academic program. For current WKU students, completion of the TESOL Certificate fulfills Minor requirements for programs that require a Minor.

Program Requirements (19 hours)

Only undergraduate courses may be taken to fulfill the undergraduate certificate requirements. A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be earned in total coursework required for the certificate program, in addition to a minimum, cumulative 2.0 GPA in WKU coursework. 

ENG 104Introduction to Linguistics3
or ENG 204 English Language
or ENG 302 Language and Communication
ENG 407Linguistic Analysis 13
ENG 408Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics 13
ENG 4692nd Language Acquisition Theory 13
ENG 470Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language 13
ENG 471Teaching English as a Second Language Practicum4
Total Hours19
1

ENG 407, ENG 408, ENG 469, and ENG 470 may be taken in any sequence.