School of Education
TESOL Certificate
Learn how to teach English in a variety of informal settings!
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$547.009 CoursesCertificate
Overview

The TESOL Certificate is designed to equip learners with the essentials of teaching the English language, often in an informal, non-academic setting. As you work through the nine courses in this certificate, you will learn a variety of methods to aid in your teaching, and you will apply these methods to create your own lessons. At the beginning of the Capstone course, students will submit key assignments from the first 8 TESOL courses to demonstrate readiness for the Capstone project. Students will then create and submit a sample lesson plan which will be evaluated for the Biola LEARN TESOL Certificate.

After obtaining this certificate, learners will develop the skills to:

  • Understand key aspects of English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation along with how to teach them
  • Plan lessons, especially focused on speaking 
  • Manage classes for effective teaching and learning 
  • Use ethical principles to guide teaching and interaction with students
  • Design courses

View a sample TESOL Certificate

The TESOL Certificate contains nine courses including a Lesson Planning Capstone. The recommended order of completion is:

  1. TESOL: Essentials
  2. TESOL: Teaching Speaking
  3. TESOL: Teaching Pronunciation
  4. TESOL: Professionalism
  5. TESOL: Classroom Management
  6. TESOL: Teaching Grammar
  7. TESOL: Teaching Vocabulary
  8. TESOL: Course Design
  9. TESOL: Capstone
Certificate Program

Our certificate programs are composed of various courses created by Biola faculty. This certificate program includes 9 courses.

By enrolling in this certificate, the courses offered will be displayed for you to complete in "My Courses" in your homeroom.

What You Earn
What People Are Saying

This course fulfills its objectives very well, provides an appropriate amount of practice and instruction, and is practically useful. As a licensed educator, I wasn't sure how much I could learn from this course—my past TESOL training has always proven to be overly simplistic. This course, however, in addition to leaving me with a valuable certification, was enjoyable, engaging, challenging, and truly informative. It was just the right amount of work for its purpose—each task was useful and challenging, but not overwhelming. I would recommend this course highly to anyone—regardless of background—before they engage in TESOL education. (Megan W.)

School of Education

About the Course Authors

Dr. Kitty Purgason brings to her classes in TESOL methodology, curriculum, materials and intercultural communication her years of experience living, studying, serving and teaching in India, Russia, Korea, China, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Mauritania, Indonesia, Kuwait, Oman, Tajikistan, Vietnam and Spain. She has received three Fulbright fellowships and the Biola Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring. She has been a U.S. State Department English Language Specialist. Her professional interests include methodology in local context and professional ethics.

Dr. Purgason has presented on methodology and materials-related topics at more than 30 local, state and national TESOL conferences, and has spoken about TESOL at Urbana and other similar conferences. She is the author of Professional Guidelines for Christian English Teachers (2016), "Planning Lessons and Units" in Celce-Murcia, Brinton, & Snow (2013), "Classroom Guidelines for Teachers with Convictions" in Wong and Canagarajah (2009), and English Language Teaching in Theological Contexts (2010).

A native of Canton, China, Dr. John Liang loves language studies and enjoys exploring theory and practice in language learning and teaching! He currently teaches in the graduate and undergraduate TESOL programs that offer teacher education courses to both pre- and in-service English teachers. Before joining the faculty at Biola in 2001, he directed an ESL program in the University of California, Riverside Learning Center. Dr. Liang received his doctorate in TESL/TEFL at the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. Dr. Liang is very active in research and is a frequent presenter at the TESOL and CATESOL conferences. His current research interests lie in pedagogical ESL grammar, ESL materials, second language reading and writing, and technology-enhanced language learning.

Dr. Michael Lessard-Clouston aims to help equip students for a variety of careers that address language-related issues. Before coming to Biola in 2005, he served for 10.5 years as a professor of English and Language Education at Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, Japan. His doctoral work was on second language education and literacy, and he is on the review boards for the Japan Journal of Multilingualism and Multiculturalism and TESL Canada Journal. Lessard-Clouston was founding editor of the International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching. He taught for two months at Universitas Pelita Harapan, in Karawaci, Indonesia, and enjoys music, Sunday afternoons, traveling and reading.

About the Course Provider

The School of Education exists to train up those who desire to make an impact as educators in classrooms, administration buildings, homeschools, the mission field and beyond. Our wide selection of rigorous, biblically centered academic offerings — ranging from undergraduate and graduate programs to teaching credentials and certificates, as well as K–12 as well as homeschool education through our Eight-Week Clinic Courses for grades 1 through 6 — makes the School of Education the premier institution for advancing your knowledge in the field of education.

Whether you’re an aspiring teacher, an experienced educator or current teacher looking to advance in your career, our unique blend of academic excellence and thoughtful mentorship will be sure to guide you to your goals. Throughout your studies, you’ll benefit from engaging with our fully doctored, full-time faculty and different learning opportunities available to you through our strong relationships in the field, making your journey at the School of Education one full of meaning, growth and impact.

Learn more about TESOL degree programs at Biola

Certificate Courses

Course Syllabus
Welcome to the world of teaching English! As...
Overview
Overview of TESOL
Video
Your TESOL Interests
Reflection
What motivates you to teach English to others?...
Overview
Christians and TESOL
Video
Your Motivation
Reflection
Who are your students? How you answer this...
Overview
Students
Video
Addressing your Students' Needs
Reflection
Application Project 1: You and Your Students
Resource
When you hear the phrase, “I want to learn...
Overview
What to Teach
Video
Your Students' Needs
Reflection
How do students learn? How you answer this...
Overview
How Language is Learned
Video
Helping Your Students Learn
Reflection
How do you structure a typical English teaching...
Overview
A Typical Lesson, Part 1
Video
Questions Concerning Lesson Planning
Reflection
Continuing from the previous lesson, Dr....
Overview
A Typical Lesson, Part 2
Video
Questions Concerning Lesson Planning, continued
Reflection
Application Project 2: Lesson Planning Template
Resource
How do you effectively teach your students to...
Overview
Oral Skills
Video
Reflection: Developing Oral Skills
Reflection
The skills of listening and reading are...
Overview
Listening and Reading
Video
Assessing Your Students' Reading Level
Reflection
In the course of teaching how to speak English,...
Overview
Pronunciation
Video
Teaching Pronunciation
Reflection
Application Project 3: Planning Your First Lesson
Resource
Beginning with this lesson, you will explore...
Overview
Teaching Beginning Adults
Video
Teaching Beginners
Reflection
We all love music, because it can stir our...
Overview
Using Songs in ELT
Video
Teaching with Your Favorite Song
Reflection
All students need feedback in order to learn...
Overview
Giving Feedback and Dealing with Errors
Video
Giving Effective Feedback
Reflection
When dealing with a group of multiple students,...
Overview
Classroom Management, Part 1
Video
Classroom Management
Reflection
In this lesson, Dr. Purgason continues her...
Overview
Classroom Management, Part 2
Video
Classroom Management, continued
Reflection
Teaching English occurs in a variety of...
Overview
Teaching in the Real World
Video
Addressing Unique Challenges
Reflection
Application Project 4: Tailoring Your Plan
Resource
Congratulations! You have come to the end of...
Overview
Application Project 5: Putting It All Together
Resource
Resources for TESOL
Video
Related Biola University Programs
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
Congratulations! You just got a new job at a...
Overview
Getting Started
Video
Lesson 1 - Quiz
Quiz
Although the students in your class are...
Overview
Building Skills Part 1
Video
Lesson 2 - Project 1: Creating Classroom Activities
Resource
You’ve enjoyed doing drills and question cards,...
Overview
Building Skills Part 2
Video
Lesson 3 - Project 2: Creating an Information Gap Activity
Resource
All the activities you've been learning about...
Overview
Communicative Activities
Video
Lesson 4 - Project 3: Communicative Activities
Resource
Your supervisor is pleased that your students’...
Overview
Conversation
Video
Lesson 5 - Project 4: Creating Discussion-Based Activities
Resource
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
What do we mean when we say that someone speaks...
Overview
The Sound System of English Part 1 of 2
Video
The Sound System of English Part 2 of 2
Video
Now that you're aware of what might contribute...
Overview
Accent Modification
Video
Lesson 2 - Quiz
Quiz
In this lesson you'll learn how to design a...
Overview
Sample Lesson
Video
Pronunciation Lesson Activity
Resource
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
In this lesson, you will learn about what it...
Overview
Before Question
Reflection
Ethical Foundations
Video
After Question
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn and look at...
Overview
Before Question
Reflection
Ethical Foundations - Biblical Principles
Video
After Question
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn about teacher...
Overview
Before Question
Reflection
Professionalism and Teacher Values
Video
After Question
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn about the...
Overview
Before Question
Reflection
Cultural Norms
Video
After Question
Reflection
Teacher Values Reflection
Reflection
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the...
Overview
Before Question
Reflection
Finding a Job/Service Opportunity Part I
Video
After Question
Reflection
In this lesson, you will utilize the knowledge...
Overview
Before Question
Reflection
Finding a Job/Service Opportunity Part II
Video
After Question
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn about specific...
Overview
Before Question
Reflection
Professionalism & Teacher Development
Video
After Question
Reflection
Career Action Plan
Reflection
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
In this lesson, you will learn about the...
Overview
Getting Started
Video
Classroom Code
Reflection
Student Name Plan
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn about the...
Overview
Teacher Tasks
Video
Teacher Task Plan
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn about how to...
Overview
Teacher Talk Part I
Video
Teacher Talk Analysis
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn about additional...
Overview
Teacher Talk Part II
Video
Teacher Talk Analysis
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn about how to...
Overview
Pair and Group Work
Video
Lesson 5 - Quiz
Quiz
Lesson 5 Quiz Answer Key
Resource
In this lesson, you will learn how rewards and...
Overview
Rewards and Consequences
Video
Rewards and Consequences Plan
Reflection
In this lesson, you will learn how to support...
Overview
Large and Multilevel Classes
Video
Lesson 7 - Quiz
Quiz
Lesson 7 Quiz Answer Key
Resource
In this lesson, you will learn about the...
Overview
Feedback
Video
End of Course Assignment
Reflection
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
Introduction to Pedagogical English Grammar
Video
Welcome to the first lesson in Teaching...
Overview
Teaching Grammar Activities Sample
Resource
In this lesson, Dr. Liang introduces the basic...
Overview
Recognizing Word Classes: Parts of Speech
Video
In this lesson, Dr. Liang will introduce you to...
Overview
Countable or Uncountable?
Video
In this lesson, Dr. Liang will introduce you to...
Overview
Making the Plural of Nouns
Video
In this lesson, Dr. Liang will introduce you to...
Overview
Articles
Video
In this lesson, Dr. Liang introduces another...
Overview
Quantifiers
Video
In this lesson, Dr. Liang will introduce you to...
Overview
Comparative Adjectives Part 1
Video
Comparative Adjectives Part 2
Video
Comparative Adjectives Part 3
Video
In this lesson, Dr. Liang illustrates the...
Overview
Present Progressive: Form
Video
Present Progressive: Meaning and Use
Video
There are various ways of expressing the future...
Overview
Talking about the Future
Video
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
Welcome to Teaching Vocabulary. In this...
Overview
Course Introduction
Video
Course Overview
Video
Course pack Sample
Resource
Welcome to Lesson 2. In this lesson, Dr....
Overview
Important Research Findings to Inform Vocabulary Teaching
Video
Vocabulary Teaching Assignment
Resource
In lesson three, Dr. Lessard-Clouston discusses...
Overview
Vocabulary Teaching Options
Video
In this final lesson, Dr. Lessard-Clouston...
Overview
Vocabulary Teaching Wrap-up
Video
Vocabulary Teaching Assignment
Resource
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
Designing a course involves asking key...
Overview
Overview
Video
Course Design Overview Project
Resource
What should we teach? What should be included...
Overview
Content
Video
Course Design Content Project
Resource
Will you design your own materials or can you...
Overview
Materials
Video
Course Design Materials Project
Resource
Much like the milestones that keep both the...
Overview
Goals and Objectives
Video
Course Design Goals and Objectives Project
Resource
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource
Course Syllabus
This lesson provides an overview of the lesson...
Overview
Lesson 1 Materials
Resource
Overview
Video
In this lesson, you’ll learn about the first...
Overview
TESOL Courses Assignments
Essay
TESOL - Capstone Lesson-Planning Materials
Resource
Lesson 2 Outline
Resource
Warm-up and Vocabulary 1
Video
In this lesson, you'll learn about how to...
Overview
Warm-up and Vocabulary 2
Video
In this lesson, you’ll learn about planning for...
Overview
Context and Grammar Drills
Video
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to evaluate,...
Overview
Speaking Practice
Video
In this final lesson, you’ll learn how to...
Overview
Checking the Whole Plan
Video
Now that you’ve watched Dr. Purgason work...
Overview
Capstone Project
Resource
Capstone Project Grading Rubric
Resource
Capstone Project Upload
Essay
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource

Certificate FAQ

The TESOL Certificate is designed to be completed in a minimum of 80 hours. This is largely dependent on how deeply you engage with the content, including watching the videos and completing the assignments in each course. 

The TESOL courses contain all the materials you need to successfully complete the certificate. Nonetheless, for further study you will find a list of recommended materials at the conclusion of each course.

Since the TESOL courses are self-paced, you will have no interaction with the professor(s). However, when you submit your TESOL courses assignments to obtain the TESOL Certificate, we recommend that you save all your work in one document, which will be submitted at the beginning of the Capstone course. 

When you submit your final Capstone lesson planning assignment, a professor in the TESOL department will evaluate your work and provide feedback on the TESOL courses assignments and on your final Capstone assignment. 

By comparing the course content, you can see that the Biola LEARN TESOL Certificate offers exactly what teachers need in a cost-effective format. This certificate prepares teachers for working overseas (TEFL) and in English-speaking environments (TESL). It does not include a practicum at this point.

This certificate will be available in the Achievements tab of your Homeroom, and can be viewed, downloaded, and added to your LinkedIn profile. 

View a sample certificate

Yes, the full purchase price of the TESOL Certificate is due at registration. However, if you have purchased any previous individual TESOL course(s), the price of those course(s) will be automatically deducted from the total cost of the Certificate. 

If you are unable to purchase the full certificate at this time, each course (except the capstone) is available for purchase separately. If after completing one or more of the individual TESOL courses you decide to pursue the Certificate your progress and the purchase price of your courses will transfer over when registering for the Certificate.

You do not need to apply for the TESOL Certificate. Simply sign up for a Biola LEARN account and register for the course or certificate that interests you.

The Capstone course allows students to apply what they have learned by creating a complete lesson plan. Students will submit this lesson plan at the conclusion of the Capstone course, which will be evaluated for the Biola LEARN TESOL Certificate.

When all your assignments (individual assignments from the first 8 courses and the Capstone lesson plan) have been evaluated by a TESOL professor, they will be marked with a "Passed" or "Not Passed" mark. To obtain the certificate, you will need to pass all your assignments and finish the course.

Individual Courses:
Biola LEARN offers a series of 8 individual TESOL courses designed for flexible study of specific topics relevant to TESOL teachers. If you are new to the world of TESOL, it is highly recommended you engage in the TESOL: Essentials course first. The courses available in this series are listed below in the recommended order of completion, however courses can also be taken in any order, as needed.

  1. TESOL: Essentials
  2. TESOL: Teaching Speaking
  3. TESOL: Teaching Pronunciation
  4. TESOL: Professionalism
  5. TESOL: Classroom Management
  6. TESOL: Teaching Grammar
  7. TESOL: Teaching Vocabulary
  8. TESOL: Course Design

Professional Certificate in TESOL:
Biola LEARN’s Professional Certificate in TESOL is designed to equip learners with the essentials of teaching the English language, often in an informal, non-academic setting. As you work through 8 TESOL courses and a final Capstone, you will learn a variety of methods to aid in your teaching, and you will apply these methods to create your own lessons.

By taking an individual TESOL course you will automatically earn credit toward Biola LEARN’s TESOL Certificate.
You can switch from the individual track to the Certificate at any time without losing progress! To unlock the Capstone and complete all requirements for the Professional Certificate you will need to register for the TESOL Certificate. However, the price of the TESOL course(s) you have purchased will be automatically deducted from the total cost of the Certificate.

Learners who complete the TESOL Certificate will receive a Professional Certificate which indicates mastery of a particular skill set. Professional certificates are commonly recognized academic achievements by employers across multiple industries. We partner with Accredible to provide verified certificates that can be viewed digitally, downloaded, and shared to showcase your professional achievement. Add your certificate to your LinkedIn profile, resume, email signature and more! For more information on how to access and share your credential, visit the Accredible knowledgebase.

VIEW A SAMPLE CERTIFICATE