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Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in TESOL, Online


The EdTerps Learning Academy provides formal and informal training and professional development opportunities that encompasses current evidence-based research and practice related to instruction, policy analysis, counseling, and human development.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students should contact Dr. Sarah C. K. Moore: sckmoore@umd.edu.

Overview

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Online (Z128) is a 12-credit, 4-course graduate program, developed for in-service educators to enhance their expertise in teaching English learners.

  • Program also targets educators currently teaching in TESOL settings or those interested in future teaching.
  • Successful completion equips current Maryland educators to pass the Praxis exam and add the ESOL endorsement to an existing teaching certificate.
  • Can be completed in twelve months of continuous part-time enrollment. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status.
  • Participants who successfully complete the requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate may apply these credits towards the MEd-TESOL if the student applies and is admitted. If applying within a five-year period of completion, students do not need to re-submit accompanying application materials or pay the application fee.

Program Features

Provides in-service educators with three curriculum specializations to enhance their expertise in teaching English learners: 

  • TESOL Practice
  • Language Policy in TESOL and Applied Linguistics
  • Theoretical Foundations of TESOL and Applied Linguistics

Courses

Below is a listing of all courses by specialization. Students work with their advisor in close consultation to ensure proper course sequencing. Coursework may be adapted for a student’s needs. For a detailed course description that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see The Graduate School Catalog, Course Listing as follows: TLPL Course Descriptions.

Specialization 1: TESOL Practice

Type Course Number Title
Required TLPL662 Second Language Acquisition
Required TLPL664 Foundations of Second Language Education: Legal, Social and Historical Trends and Issues
Required TLPL665 Methods of Teaching ESOL
Elective TLPL655 Student Assessment in the Second Language Classroom
Elective TLPL656 Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners
Elective TLPL660 Foundations of Literacy and Biliteracy Development
Elective TLPL666 English Grammar for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Elective TLPL689 Internship in Education: TESOL

Specialization 2: Language Policy in TESOL and Applied Linguistics

Type Course Number Title
Required TLPL660 Foundations of Literacy and Biliteracy Development
Required TLPL662 Second Language Acquisition
Required TLPL664 Foundations of Second Language Education: Legal, Social and Historical Trends and Issues
Elective TLPL655 Student Assessment in the Second Language Classroom
Elective TLPL657 Teaching for Cross-cultural Communication
Elective TLPL661 Multiliteracies: Theory and Practice
Elective TLPL740 Language and Education

Specialization 3: Theoretical Foundations of TESOL and Applied Linguistics

Type Course Number Title
Required TLPL646 Linguistics in Education
Required TLPL662 Second Language Acquisition
Required TLPL664 Foundations of Second Language Education: Legal, Social and Historical Trends and Issues
Elective TLPL657 Teaching for Cross-cultural Communication
Elective TLPL660 Foundations of Literacy and Biliteracy Development
Elective TLPL661 Multiliteracies: Theory and Practice
Elective TLPL740 Language and Education

Registration Overview

  • See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director. 
  • Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite.
  • Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.
  • The program uses specific section codes for registration that are listed on the sample plan of study.

Sample Plan

Classes held during condensed fall and spring sessions (6 weeks each in fall [year 1 or 2] and spring [year 1 or 2]) and Summer Session (two 6-week sessions).

Semester Type Course Number Online Section Number Credits
Fall Required or Elective TLPL*** PU** 3
Spring Required or Elective TLPL*** PU** 3
Summer, I Required or Elective TLPL*** PU** 3
Summer, II Required or Elective TLPL*** PU** 3

Overview

  • Features 100% online learning.
  • Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held during condensed fall and spring sessions (6 weeks each in fall [year 1 or 2] and spring [year 1 or 2] and Summer Session (two 6-week sessions).

Online Instruction

  • Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content.
  • Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction permits synchronous participation.
  • Students attend lectures virtually (e.g., use of video technology, such as Zoom).
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