The 140-hour Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate Program celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.  Due to the great demand for this course in the southeast, TFLI is offering the TESL Certificate Programs in Nashville for the 25th time. This program includes training in the fundamentals of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), with the purpose of preparing its graduates to teach ESL in a variety of classroom settings.

For more information, read the additional materials and the FAQ page, and if you still have questions,  please contact us at esl@tfli.org to get more information.

Course Requirements:

              degree.

              speakers of English: a total TOEFL iBT score of 85.  Individual skill section

              scores are:  reading score of 21, listening score of 21, speaking score of 21,

              and writing score of 22. 

              may not receive a certificate.

• Student must obtain a passing grade on all assignments and practice teaching

              sessions.

• Student should have access to a computer and e-mail at all times. You must have basic word processing skills, internet, and e-mail.
• Please check registration form for other requirements.

Course Fees:

Tuition Fee $1745.00 + Materials: $550.00 = TOTAL = $2295.00

Non-refundable application fee: $25

**Students must pay in full upon registration.  If application is not accepted, you will receive a full refund minus application fee.

TESL Spring 2010 Schedule
The 140-hour program is structured such that students can complete their certificate in a 4-month period. The course is divided into five components:

1. Orientation (required): March 23, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Orientation is held at the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute (TFLI). Trainees will have the opportunity to meet each other and receive the Pre-Class Assignments (see 3.) and the textbook before the course begins. Students will sign up for one observation at this time. The second observation will be scheduled during the In-Class Training (see 4.).

2. Observations (approx. 7 hours): TBD

Students must observe two ESL classes which will be appointed by TFLI TESL staff, with a 15-minute briefing/debriefing before and after the class.  Observations will be arranged after Orientation. Most classes will be observed at TFLI or at community centers around Nashville.

3. Pre-Class Assignments (20 hours+):  March 24 - April 5
Pre-Class assignments will be given out at the Orientation(1.) and should be completed by e-mail correspondence. Access to the internet and computer skills are essential. All Pre-Class assignments must be completed on schedule. Students will be advised not to join the In-Class Training if any work is incomplete.

4. In-Class Training* (110 hours):  April 5 - May 15 Extended to May 20 b/c of flood. Click for detailed schedule.
TESL trainers teach the In-Class Training component of the course which includes but is not limited to: student assessment, needs analyses, techniques, methods and approaches, material design, textbook evaluation, peer-teaching, group and student-centered learning assignments and tasks. In addition, this component requires students to examine a variety of teaching situations, and prepare formal lesson plans and procedures to use during their practice teaching. Students should have access to the internet for their lesson planning and research.

5. Field Teaching: May 24 - July 31+/-

Upon successful completion of the In-Class Training, students will be given their ESL practice classes. This is the "hands-on" section where the TESL students apply their lesson plans and TESL knowledge to a real classroom situation with ESL students. TESL candidates will be supervised and graded during 6 of the 10-12 teaching hours. **Times and days will be designated during the end of the In-Class Training. These times may need to be extended under unusual circumstances.

Upon successful completion of all components of the course, the candidate will be awarded the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute TESL Certificate for the 140-hour program.

In-Class Training Schedule:

 *No class on Saturday, April 24th:COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON ROAD CLOSINGS

* No class on Thursday, May 13th for peer teaching preparation.

* Classes cancelled due to flooding and Metro Center closure.

** FIELD TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS