Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate
A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate is commonly required for many international English teaching jobs. The HWS TEFL certificate alone is not a major or minor, nor does it lead to New York State teacher certification. Individual TEFL courses, however, may be approved by your advisor to count towards a major or minor in Educational Studies or other programs since there are no uniqueness restrictions for the certificate. All students are eligible to pursue the TEFL certificate.
requirements for the tefl certificate
Requirements include six courses in three areas: Foundations in Linguistics (EDUC 115 Introduction to Linguistics and EDUC 310 Second Language Acquisition), Language Teaching and Learning (EDUC 230 Teaching English Language Learners and EDUC 231 Linguistics and English Grammar for Teaching English as a Second Language), and Language and Culture (select one elective in Educational Studies or another department), along with one full-credit practicum experience (EDUC 499: Education Internship). The practicum may be completed during a study abroad semester or domestically and requires supervised work in an English language classroom as well as individual reading and writing assignments. All courses for the certificate must be completed with a grade of C- or better, except for the Practicum, which must earn a grade of "Credit" (CR).