TESOL Program
What is TESOL?
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is a professional framework for teaching English both locally and internationally.
The reality is that speaking English is very different from knowing how to teach it. The global market looks for trained educators who can build inspiring relationships and guide learners with empathy. An SUU TESOL credential bridges this gap, giving you the practical toolkit and university-backed authority to lead any classroom with absolute confidence.
The SUU Competitive Edge
You don't have to change your career trajectory. Intergrating a TESOL Institutional Certificate into your current SUU Degree turns your existing major whether it's future employers one vital thing: you know hoe to lead, communicate, and thrivew across cultures.
Our program is built on a simple philosphy: we maintain high academic expectations for your work, but we match them with an portfolio, it is natural to feel a wave of anxiety. But at SUU, you are never left to sink alone.
Our professors actively collaborate with you, point out hidden perspectives and guiding you toward resources so that the final work you turn in exceeds what you ever thought you were capable of producting.
Hear It From Our TESOL Graduates
“The TESOL program has been great for fitting into my extremely busy schedule because it’s so flexible. It took me four years to finish, but if I wanted to I could have done it in half the time. Because of that, my last semester wasn’t stressful at all, and the ALCC department was so great to help me find an online asynchronous practicum that I could fit in whenever I had the time. In addition, some of my favorite professors I’ve had at SUU have been through this department, so I felt like I could talk to them if I ever was having a hard time completing everything. They always gave me the time to complete my best work.”
“Teaching English is about developing a relationship with students that inspires them to keep trying, even when learning a language like English is seemingly insurmountable. Learning any language requires a great deal of courage and persistence, and students cannot do that without a supportive teacher to guide them along the way. This ideology was further ingrained in me while I was teaching abroad. The subject matter I was teaching might have been a lot about grammar and vocabulary sometimes, but connection with the students was the most important thing to facilitate student success.”
Access a $147 Billion Industry
The global English Language Learning market is projected to reach $147 billion by 2035, and SUU students are uniquely positioned to lead this growth. With an annual industry growth rate of 22.5%, you can graduate from SUU directly into high-demand roles in international schools, corporate training, or global non-profits.
Experience That Outshines a Textbook
We know you don't just want to memorize theories—you want to feel ready to lead a classroom.
Our program bridges the gap between research and practice through hands-on practicum modules where foundational courses overlap and beautifully build on each other.
Through this interactive fieldwork, you will:
- Work with Diverse Backgrounds: Partner directly with SUU’s incredible international student community and see the profound impact of language teaching firsthand.
- Master Lesson Planning: Plan for unexpected classroom challenges by building, testing, and adapting real-world lesson plans before graduation.
- Protect Your Busy Schedule: Balance field experience with flexible, asynchronous options to fit smoothly into an overloaded work, family, or academic calendar.
Flexible Program Pathways
The ALCC administers an 18-credit Undergraduate Institutional Certificate and a 9-credit Institutional Certificate in TESOL. These programs focus on adult education and are separate from the SUU Department of Teacher Education track for K-12 U.S. schools.
1. The Undergraduate Institutional Certificate (18 Credits)
This add-on program is targeted towards SUU undergraduate students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking major (such as business, communication, psychology, or the arts). It allows you to maximize your elective credits by earning a professional credential alongside your primary degree.
2. The Graduate Learning Block (9 Credits)
Earn a high-level Graduate Institutional Certificate through an intensive, 9-credit track designed to give you a competitive edge in international education, corporate training, and global non-profits . This streamlined block consists of three targeted courses: TESL 6010 on teaching methodology, TESL 6030 focusing on linguistics and English language, and TESL 6890 for hands-on practical experience and language acquisition.
Please note: These programs focus heavily on adult education and are distinct from the SUU Department of Teacher Education track designed for K-12 U.S. public schools.
Required Coursework and Pacing (18 Credits)
The curriculum provides a solid foundation in Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition research, and instructional methods. For online and remote students , our supportive department coordinates closely with you ahead of time to help arrange accessible curriculum-design projects and practicum placements that align with your geographic location.
Undergraduate Track Sequence
Candidates begin the sequence with TESL 1010 and TESL 1030, progress through core methods, and complete the track by evaluating academic research alongside 3 credits of practicum.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TESL 1010 | Principles of TESOL | 3 |
| TESL 1030 | Principles of Linguistics | 3 |
| TESL 2200 | TESOL Methods and Assessment | 3 |
| TESL 2250 | Structure and Varieties of English | 3 |
| TESL 4400 | Second Language Acquisition and Research | 3 |
| TESL 4890 | Practicum in TESOL* | 1-3 |
*Each credit of TESL 4890 equals three hours of weekly service. We recommend completing 1 credit per semester over three terms for the most manageable, low-stress experience.
Graduate Institutional Certificate Track
Students earn a specialized 9-credit Graduate Institutional Certificate by completing three core courses: TESL 6010 (teaching methodology), TESL 6030 (linguistics and English language), and TESL 6890 (practical experience and language acquisition).
A full listing of TESOL classes and their course descriptions can be found in the SUU course catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the TESOL program teach if I am already a native English speaker?
Speaking English is very different from knowing how to teach it. This program teaches you the actual science of language education—how to structure lessons, choose materials, and guide students to real-world fluency. We turn what you do automatically every day into a professional toolkit
What does the course workload look like?
Our flexible courses overlap and build on each other to keep the study workload highly manageable. For your hands-on teaching practice, we coordinate with you early to arrange flexible local or online options that seamlessly fit your schedule and location.