Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate - Career Certificate

Help students learn English

Enhance your teaching skills with a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate and help non-native speakers overseas learn English.

CLC is one of the few community colleges in the Midwest to offer a TEFL Certificate. Expect to learn skills for multilingual learners (MLLs), including:

various approaches to teaching
assessment techniques
strategies to improve grammar and pronunciation

What can you do with a TEFL Certificate?

Add a competitive advantage with the TEFL certificate. Work with MLLs to enhance their academic and professional opportunities.

Once you receive your certificate, you may work in a pre-K-12 program overseas in a mainstream or dual-language classroom. Some students find work in community programs or as an online or face-to-face tutor.

Start right away with your certificate in roles such as:

English as a Foreign Language teacher
ESL tutor

With additional education, you can help people as a:

ESL classroom or resource teacher
dual-language teacher
ESL instructor

Highlights

Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1 Year

Full-time students finish in 1 year.

Career Outlook

Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $31,098
  
  Median
  
  $50,758
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $97,747
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $14.94
  
  Median
  
  $24.40
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $46.99
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  11.38%
  
  Some college
  
  3.28%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  11.38%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  52.22%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  21.75%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

Icon Key

Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
ENG 272	ENG 272 Principles and Practices in Foreign Language Teaching Class Description This course will present important principles and practices in language learning and teaching in a foreign language context. There will be an overview of first and second language acquisition theories and of issues to consider in both first and second language acquisition. There will be a discussion of the importance of considering the teaching and learning context, as well as other factors that need to be considered when planning instruction, including learners’ backgrounds, learning preferences and current needs. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.	3
ENG 273	ENG 273 English Language: Structure and Use Class Description This introductory course will explore the English language, its internal structure and its function. An analysis of the English language in terms of its phonetics, phonology, and grammar will be made. Students will apply this knowledge in examining and developing methods and techniques to teach English learners in different teaching contexts. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ENG 272
Course Title	ENG 272 Principles and Practices in Foreign Language Teaching Class Description This course will present important principles and practices in language learning and teaching in a foreign language context. There will be an overview of first and second language acquisition theories and of issues to consider in both first and second language acquisition. There will be a discussion of the importance of considering the teaching and learning context, as well as other factors that need to be considered when planning instruction, including learners’ backgrounds, learning preferences and current needs. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ENG 273
Course Title	ENG 273 English Language: Structure and Use Class Description This introductory course will explore the English language, its internal structure and its function. An analysis of the English language in terms of its phonetics, phonology, and grammar will be made. Students will apply this knowledge in examining and developing methods and techniques to teach English learners in different teaching contexts. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
ENG 274	ENG 274 Teaching English as a Foreign Language Pedagogy Class Description This course will discuss approaches to teaching English in a non-English speaking context, referred to as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).There will be a brief overview of the methodical history of foreign language teaching. Strategies, approaches and techniques to develop learners’ receptive (listening and reading) and productive skills (writing and speaking) will be presented. In addition, the course will present ways to integrate language and content instruction. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.	3
ENG 275	ENG 275 Language Teaching Fieldwork Class Description This practicum program allows students a chance to gain hands-on experience in a real classroom environment while using the skills and methods addressed in the TEFL courses. The practicum also gives students a chance to experiment with new classroom situations and program ideas in an environment where they can consult with others. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ENG 274
Course Title	ENG 274 Teaching English as a Foreign Language Pedagogy Class Description This course will discuss approaches to teaching English in a non-English speaking context, referred to as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).There will be a brief overview of the methodical history of foreign language teaching. Strategies, approaches and techniques to develop learners’ receptive (listening and reading) and productive skills (writing and speaking) will be presented. In addition, the course will present ways to integrate language and content instruction. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ENG 275
Course Title	ENG 275 Language Teaching Fieldwork Class Description This practicum program allows students a chance to gain hands-on experience in a real classroom environment while using the skills and methods addressed in the TEFL courses. The practicum also gives students a chance to experiment with new classroom situations and program ideas in an environment where they can consult with others. Please note: This course does not satisfy the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

12

TESOL at CLC

Get the bigger picture

A certificate is just one possible way to study teaching English to speakers of other languages. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the TESOL Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

Add in-demand skills to your resume and advance your career. CLC is one of the few community colleges in the Midwest to offer the TEFL certificate. The certificate can give you more job security, as you can take this credential and work in classrooms overseas.
The TEFL Certificate is 12 credit hours and takes an average of two semesters to complete. Your coursework includes a practicum where you have an opportunity to practice teaching in an authentic environment. Create materials and assessments you can take with you to current or future classrooms.
Your classes include:
- Principles and Practices in Foreign Language Teaching
- English Language: Structure and Use
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language Pedagogy
- Language Teaching Fieldwork
Yes! Take your teaching to another level whether you’re a native or non-native speaker.

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

Help students learn English

What can you do with a TEFL Certificate?

Highlights

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

Career Outlook

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education