Watch Dr. Yasko Kanno's interview on the state of ELL In education in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions - ESL Certificate Program
Thank you for your interest in TESOL at Temple University. Below, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our ESL Certificate Program. If, after reviewing this material, you still have questions, please contact the program coordinator listed below.
Should I pursue this certificate if I want to teach abroad?
- No, this credential is only valid for currently-certified public school teachers in Pennsylvania. It is not recognized abroad. You might want to consider pursuing a Master's Degree in TESOL if you are interested in a career teaching abroad.
What do I need to do if I want to teach ESL in a public school but I do not have a teaching certificate?
- You would need to enroll in one of Temple's certification programs to earn your initial certification (i.e. an Instructional I Certificate). For more information on certification programs, please see Teacher Certification at Temple. You will want to pursue certification in either elementary education or in secondary English education. Keep in mind that to pursue secondary English, you would need to have taken 36 credits in English at the undergraduate level.
- See the "Certification" section under the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
I am a full-time teacher. Are courses offered in the evenings? Can I take just one course each semester?
- During the fall and spring semesters, all courses are offered in the evenings to accommodate teachers. Each course meets one time each week from 5:30-8:00 p.m. You may take one or two courses each semester.
Are courses offered during the summer?
- Yes, we offer two ESL Certificate courses each summer during July & August. Each course is three weeks long and classes meet Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
I have never taken courses at Temple. How do I register for courses?
- To register, you must visit Temple's Shimada Resource Center in Ritter Annex, room 150. Please bring a copy of your undergraduate transcript.
Is it possible to pursue the teaching certification program and the ESL certification program at the same time? If so, how long does it take to complete both together?
- Yes, you may take courses for both programs at the same time. If you pursue the Post-Baccalaureate Program and ESL Certificate Program together as a full-time student (including the summer), it will take approximately 1 ½ years.
I am enrolled in a certification program, so I am not yet certified. Am I still eligible for the program?
- Yes. Instead of submitting a copy of your teaching certificate with your application, you may submit verification that you are matriculated in a certification program (e.g., letter of acceptance, letter from advisor).
How long would it take me to complete the program?
- If you take two courses during the fall and spring semester, you can complete the program in nine months. If you take one course during the fall and spring semester and two summer courses, you can complete the program in one year.
I am certified to teach Spanish (or Social Studies, or Science). Does this mean I can teach ESL in a high school?
- Not yet. To teach ESL at the secondary level, you must pass the PRAXIS II exam in English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge.
What is the application deadline?
- There is no deadline. This means you may be able to begin the program at the beginning of the fall semester, spring semester or summer session. We accept applications on a continual basis, and we try to process them as quickly as possible. You should receive a response within one to two weeks of our receipt of your application.
I obtained a certificate to teach English as a foreign language. Can I use this as a substitute for your ESL Certificate courses?
- Unfortunately, no. Classes you took for this credential cannot serve as substitutes for our courses.
How much does the program cost?
- The program costs $6,876.00 in tuition. Please see visit the Bursar's Office at Temple for information on additional fees.
I am enrolled in a certification program at Temple. Do I need to submit a separate application for the ESL Certificate Program?
- Yes. There is a separate application for the ESL Certificate Program: Download the Application [pdf].
I took an ESL Certificate course at another university. Will this course count in Temple's ESL Certificate Program?
- We will need to review the course to determine whether or not it can serve as a substitute for one of our courses. Please send a copy of the syllabus (not the course description) to Dr. Jill Swavely at jmswav@temple.edu.
Do I need to student teach for this program?
- There is no student teaching requirement for this program.
Do I need to take a Praxis exam?
- There is currently no ESL Praxis exam required in Pennsylvania.
What process do I need to complete to receive ESL Program Specialist Designation?
- For detailed information, visit PDE 338 PS-ESL Program Specialist from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
- To apply for certification, visit Pennsylvania's Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)
Still Have Questions?
For more information about the ESL Certificate Program, please visit our website or contact the ESL Certificate Program Coordinator:
Jill Swavely Ph.D.
Associate Professor of TESOL
e-mail: jmswav@temple.edu
phone: (215) 204-6120
Graduate Programs Office
College of Education
Temple University
Ritter Annex RM 150
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-8007
e-mail: gradcoe@temple.edu
www.temple.edu/education/grad
