Curriculum
June 2, 2023 2026-09-21 14:38Curriculum
Certificate in TESOL Curriculum
The Online Certificate in TESOL is a single 15-week course carrying 3 units, developed through the Anaheim University David Nunan TESOL Institute. It asks about nine hours of study a week — 135 hours in all — and a new group starts on the first Monday of every month.
The course combines teaching methodology with practical classroom application, moving through the four skills, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and discourse, and on to learner autonomy, assessment and cross-cultural communication. It suits new teachers, experienced English language educators, and anyone preparing to teach in an ESL or EFL setting.
Dr. Jimalee Sowell, Certificate Program Coordinator, David Nunan TESOL Institute
The course runs for 15 weeks at about nine hours a week, and a new group begins on the first Monday of every month. A grade of Pass or Fail is awarded at conclusion of the program.
What the Certificate Covers
Fourteen areas across the fifteen weeks, connecting language teaching theory with classroom practice.
Curriculum Areas
The 15-week Online Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program offers students the opportunity of developing a solid pedagogical foundation through instruction in the following areas.
- Language teaching methodology
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
- Pronunciation
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Discourse
- Using coursebooks
- Learning styles and strategies
- Learner autonomy in the classroom
- Classroom-based assessment
- Cross-cultural communication
The course guide contains a weekly breakdown to help students allocate their time. It is a suggestion only, but one that students are advised to adhere to as closely as possible to keep up with the demanding schedule of the course. Fifteen weeks at nine hours a week makes a 135-hour course.
Studying the Certificate
The detail behind the fifteen weeks — how the course is assessed, what you read, when it starts, and where it can lead.
A grade of Pass or Fail is awarded at conclusion of the program. The grade is built from three components: the discussion forum, worth 35 per cent; the quizzes, worth 45 per cent; and the final exam, worth 20 per cent.
The course text is Practical English Language Teaching by David Nunan, published by Anaheim University Press. Dr. Nunan is a former President of the TESOL International Association, and the course is built around his video lectures as well as the book.
A new group begins on the first Monday of every month throughout the year, so there is no long wait for an intake. The course then runs for fifteen consecutive weeks.
After completing the TESOL Certificate, students who continue into the Anaheim University Online MA in TESOL or Online Graduate Diploma in TESOL are waived the tuition fee for two units of credit. A grade of B or higher in the Certificate is required.
