Why study TESOL at NOVA?

Setting up your teaching practicum is easy! NOVA Workforce's TESOL Certificate Program gives student teachers 10 hours of supervised practice ESL teaching in our American Culture & Language Institute (ACLI). TESOL graduates have gone on to teach locally and around the world!

To earn a TESOL Certificate from NOVA Workforce, participants must complete TESOL 1, TESOL 2, and TESOL 3.   

The TESOL program is now hybrid! Learn online and practice teaching ESL in a NOVA classroom! New students join the program in the Summer and Fall semesters to complete TESOL 1. Continuing students complete TESOL 2 and 3 in the Spring semester. Workshops run on Saturday mornings.

After completing this certificate, you are qualified to teach English as a second language to adults in an adult education setting, such as a community-based program, community college language institute (non-credit), or proprietary school in the U.S. or abroad. 

NOTE: The TESOL certificate does not provide credentialing for K-12 or to teach ESL for credit. Early Childhood (VA-ECAP) classes are not part of the TESOL Certificate Program.

Contact Us  Frequently Asked Questions

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Prerequisites

The TESOL program requires potential students to possess a strong working knowledge of English grammar to succeed.

• All students must be at least 18 years of age.
• Proof of English proficiency level via one of the following:
  • A US college diploma, including successful completion of freshman composition.
    
    OR

• • A Placement test:
    • Native English Speakers: Take the English Placement Advising Survey.
    • Non-Native English Speakers:
      
      • Take NOVA's English Placement for Multilingual Learners by emailing NOVATesting@nvcc.edu. The score must be College ESL Level 5 or higher. College Level 4 and lower are not eligible to register.
      • Take the Duolingo English Test. The score must be 85 Points or higher.
      • Take the TOEFL iBT. The score must be 59 or higher. Scores 58 and below are not eligible to register.
      • Take the IELTS. The score must be 5.5 or higher. Scores 5.0 and below are not eligible to register.

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TESOL Certificate Program

First Semester (Summer-Fall)

TESOL 1 These workshops are to be taken before TESOL 2 & 3.

1-1 Introduction to TESOL 1-2 ELT Methodology 1-3 English Grammar in ESL 1-4 English Pronunciation in ESL 1-5 Teaching Speaking & Listening 1-6 Teaching Reading & Writing 1-7 Teaching Grammar 1-8 Teaching Pronunciation 1-9 Lesson Planning

Second Semester (Spring)

TESOL 2 These workshops are to be taken after successfully completing TESOL 1.

2-1 Assessing English Proficiency 2-2 Culture as Course Content 2-3 Using Technology in ESL 2-4 Teaching Entry-Level Students 2-5 Classroom Management 2-6 Material Adaptation 2-7 TESOL Practicum 1 (supervised teaching in an ESL classroom)

 

TESOL 3 These workshops are taken after successfully completing TESOL 1 & 2.

3-1 TESOL Practicum 2 3-2 TESOL Portfolio