$270
Tuition Cost per Credit
< 1 year
Average Completion*
Teach English. Open Doors.
Learning English can open doors to education, employment, community, and opportunity.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with Specialization in Teaching English to Adult Learners at Athens State University prepares you to help adults develop the English language skills they need to participate more fully in their communities, workplaces, and everyday lives. You’ll develop an understanding of language acquisition, TESOL teaching methods, culturally responsive instruction, assessment, and adult learning. With a specific focus on adult learners, the program prepares you to design instruction that respects the experiences, goals, and needs that adult English learners bring to the classroom.
Whether you’re interested in adult education, community programs, workforce development, international education, or other settings where adults are learning English, this certificate can help you turn your interest in language and teaching into meaningful work.
Program Overview
Adults learning English bring something unique to the classroom: life experience. They may be learning English to pursue a better job, continue their education, communicate with their children’s teachers, navigate a new community, or participate more confidently in everyday life. Teaching adults effectively requires an understanding of both language acquisition and adult learning.
The TESOL certificate with Specialization in Teaching English to Adult Learners provides focused preparation in the principles and practices of teaching English to speakers of other languages, with particular attention to the needs of adult learners. You’ll explore how additional languages are learned, how adults approach learning differently, and how instructors can create relevant, practical, and engaging English language learning experiences. You’ll also develop an understanding of culturally responsive teaching, assessment, communication, and instructional strategies that can help adult English learners achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.
Program Details
The TESOL certificate combines language education with adult learning principles and practical instructional strategies.
Your coursework will explore areas such as:
- Second Language Acquisition — Understand how people learn an additional language and the factors that influence language development.
- TESOL Teaching Methods — Explore effective approaches for teaching English to speakers of other languages.
- Teaching Adult Learners — Examine the characteristics, motivations, experiences, and needs of adult learners.
- English Language Development — Develop approaches for supporting listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar development.
- Culturally Responsive Teaching — Learn how culture, language, identity, and prior experiences can influence the learning process.
- Adult Education — Explore the role of English language instruction in adult education and community-based learning.
- Instructional Planning — Learn how to develop lessons and learning experiences around the goals and needs of adult English learners.
- Assessment — Explore ways to assess language development and use assessment information to guide instruction.
- Communication — Develop strategies for creating supportive learning environments and encouraging meaningful participation.
- Technology in Language Learning — Explore digital tools and resources that can support English language development.
- Practical Application — Apply what you learn to authentic language-learning and adult education contexts.
Effective TESOL instruction isn’t just about teaching English. It’s about understanding why an adult is learning English, what they need to accomplish, and how instruction can help them reach that goal. You’ll learn to connect language instruction to the real lives and aspirations of adult learners.
Your Career Advantage Starts Here
English language learning is connected to education, employment, community participation, and economic opportunity. Adult English learners may be preparing for a new career, pursuing additional education, adapting to life in a new community, or developing the communication skills needed to succeed at work. That creates opportunities for professionals who understand both language instruction and adult learning.
Explore your career pathways with the TESOL – Adult Learner undergraduate certificate, including anticipated salaries, annual job growth, and even active job listings through the Career Concourse portal.
$34k
ESL Instructor Estimated Entry Salary
$48k
ESL Instructor Estimated Median Salary
Estimated salary and employment information based on labor market data provided by Career Concourse and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries and employment outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and employer and are not guaranteed upon degree completion.
Admissions & Aid
A career in education is an investment in your future — and Athens State University works to make that investment accessible.
Athens State University offers the lowest tuition of any public, four-year university in Alabama, giving future educators an affordable path to a bachelor’s degree. With flexible learning options, dedicated faculty, and support designed around students’ needs, you can prepare for your teaching career without putting your financial future on hold.
Students may also qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and other assistance to help make their education more affordable.
Why Choose This Program at Athens State?
Develop strategies for helping students access academic content while continuing to build their English language skills.
Learn how culturally responsive teaching and inclusive practices can help students feel valued, supported, and confident in their ability to succeed.
The certificate can complement a degree or career in education and give you an additional area of expertise for working with increasingly diverse student populations.
Get Hands-On Experience
You won’t spend your entire degree learning about teaching from a textbook. Field experiences and clinical preparation give you opportunities to observe, practice, and apply your skills in real educational settings.
Invest in Your Future The Smart Way
Athens State University is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education. As Alabama’s most affordable public, state university, we give you the opportunity to earn a degree while making a smart investment in your future, without unnecessary debt.
Learn from Experienced Faculty
Our faculty combine academic excellence with real-world business experience, bringing current industry practices into every course. At Athens State, you’re not facing the journey alone — our dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and staff walk alongside you each step of the way, providing personalized guidance and support.
Our Faculty
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*Average completion time varies by student and depends on prior credits
transferred to Athens State and the number of courses taken per semester.
Please consult with your Student Success Coach and faculty advisor for your personalized plan of study.