Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (TELL)
Pursue Your TELL Certificate Online at Post University!Program Overview
Are you ready to discover what it takes to help non-native speakers better learn and understand the English language? Want to build a solid foundation of the insights and skills used to teach English? Post University’s Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) offers the practical and pedagogical tools, knowledge-base, and experience you could use to pursue a future in TELL.
Coursework for the TELL certificate covers key learning theories involved in learning English as a non-native speaker. You will have an opportunity to investigate methods for effective instruction and strategies in English Language (ELL) education, including the skills used to provide instruction in grammar, syntax, and everyday usage. This program offers the opportunity to build the skills used to teach English as a second language to students of all ages, including younger age groups, high schoolers, and adult learners.
Curriculum
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners: 15 Required Credits
Industry-Focused Curriculum for Professional Skills
Coursework for your TELL certificate is designed to help you build the foundation of insights necessary to:
- Develop effective curricular and instructional approaches for teaching English language learners in a range of educational settings
- Pursue skills utilized in teaching English to students of all ages
- Help learners develop an aptitude for conversational English
- Build proficiencies in English grammar and syntax
Sample Courses
Teaching ESL: Methods and Strategies
This course is designed to increase understanding of quality research-based practices and strategies that actively engage English Language Learners. More specifically, students in this course will plan and implement a variety of content-based standards including those applicable to English language development, content-based instruction, and literacy development in the primary and secondary language.
Second Language Acquisitions
This course presents an overview of the field of Second Language Acquisition. Students will identify the research, empirical data, and theoretical concepts that explain what happens in the human mind during the acquisition of a first and second or subsequent language. Current theoretical perspectives on second language acquisition will be analyzed, including research issues, models, and positions. Second language teaching methods and approaches will be integrated through an interdisciplinary knowledge base of major theories of learning in the fields of linguistics, psychology, sociology, cognitive development, and brain-based research as they relate to language learning and second language acquisition.
English Grammar and Pedagogy in TESOL
This course will help current and prospective ELL educators to develop the pedagogical skills and techniques needed to teach grammar and the structures of English to speakers of other languages. Students will discuss the concepts of linguistic analysis as well as effective teaching strategies, methods, and techniques for the classroom.
English Composition & Syntax
This course is designed for teachers, instructors, and other educators who work with non-native English speakers. Students will be exposed to theories and practices centered on knowledge of and strategy development in teaching appropriate diction, syntax, semantics, and mechanics of writing structure to non-native English speakers. The primary focus of this course is to explore skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing competency for academic discourse. This course is appropriate for those who wish to improve their personal reading and writing skills, as well as individuals who teach or work in settings to support English Language Learners. Students will build off prior learning concepts and create activities to assist students in developing more advanced vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
The sample courses listed are intended to illustrate the types of coursework included in this program. Course offerings and requirements may change. Please consult the official University Catalog for current and complete program information.
Licensing Disclosure
Licensure and Program Disclosures
The Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners is not designed to fulfill the educational requirements for any educational credential, such as a state teacher’s license or TESOL certification.
Post University assists in researching and providing information regarding licensure; however, each state has different requirements for such licensure outside of the required education. Such state requirements may include licensure exams, background checks, certain work experience, and more. It is ultimately the responsibility of each student to manage their own licensure process and to ensure that all requirements are met in order for the student to obtain licensure. Post University does not speak on behalf of any licensing board or body and does not guarantee licensure. Requirements for licensure are subject to change without notice.
Learn about teaching certification requirements through the state departments of education: https://www.ed.gov/contact-us/state-contacts.
Visit the University Catalog >> for Curriculum, Course Descriptions, and Program Outcomes.
“We know that every student has different aspirations, different backgrounds, different challenges, and different learning styles, and it requires individual solutions for each and every student. Every associate, staff, and faculty member is uniquely focused on that personal interaction.”
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The admissions team is available to walk you through each step of the application process and clarify any remaining questions.
Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
College (University) is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.). Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 425 7785
E-Mail: [email protected]
For more information on Post University's state licensure or accreditation, please visit the Accreditation page.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Post University maintains consistent graduate admissions standards for students enrolling online or on campus. While individual programs may include additional criteria, all applicants are evaluated using foundational requirements that support academic readiness and program alignment.
Common graduate admissions requirements include:
- Completion of a graduate admissions application
- Submission of official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions
- Documentation of a conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an approved equivalent
- Participation in an admissions interview or advisory session, if recommended
- Submission of a personal statement, when requested, which may be required for applicants below a specified cumulative grade point average threshold
- Verification of all admissions materials
Graduate admissions requirements may vary by program and learning format. For complete and program-specific requirements, please review:
Why Students Choose Post University
Tuition & Ways to Save
An education at Post University is designed to provide long-term value. Tuition is competitively structured, and financial aid opportunities are available for those who qualify. Admissions and financial aid teams work with you to review available options and explain each step of the process clearly.
With multiple funding opportunities available, you may qualify for more than you expect.
Tuition Reductions →
Tuition reductions are available for eligible active-duty military service members, veterans, public safety professionals, education partners, alumni, and others who qualify.
Scholarships →
Post University offers a variety of institutional scholarships. Dedicated scholarship advisors assist students in identifying both institutional and relevant external scholarship opportunities.
Financial Aid →
Federal financial aid programs are available for many degree programs for students who qualify.
Transfer Credits →
Post University will evaluate course credit completed at eligible institutions, as well as credit earned through approved examinations or prior learning experiences, for potential transfer.
Military Benefits →
Military education benefits extend to active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, their families, and eligible Department of Defense civilian employees.
Student Loans →
Federal and private loan programs may be available to students who qualify.
Tuition Reductions →
Tuition reductions are available for eligible active-duty military service members, veterans, public safety professionals, education partners, alumni, and others who qualify.
Scholarships →
Post University offers a variety of institutional scholarships. Dedicated scholarship advisors assist students in identifying both institutional and relevant external scholarship opportunities.
Financial Aid →
Federal financial aid programs are available for many degree programs for students who qualify.
Transfer Credits →
Post University will evaluate course credit completed at eligible institutions, as well as credit earned through approved examinations or prior learning experiences, for potential transfer.
Military Benefits →
Military education benefits extend to active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, their families, and eligible Department of Defense civilian employees.
Student Loans →
Federal and private loan programs may be available to students who qualify.
Ready to take the next steps?
Admissions advisors are available to answer your questions, explain the application process, and help you explore which program aligns with your interests and experience.
If you are considering Post University, we invite you to begin the conversation.
Why Post University?
At Post University, you are not an anonymous face in a crowded lecture hall. You are known and supported from your first conversation through program completion. That is the meaning behind Post Makes It Personal®.
Our approach is grounded in three commitments: career focus, value, and personalization. Whether you are beginning your undergraduate journey, returning to continue your education, or pursuing a graduate degree, Post University offers programs developed with professional practice in mind, led by industry-experienced faculty, and delivered in formats designed to fit into your life.
Post people come from many different backgrounds and life stages. Some are stepping onto campus for the first time, while others are learning online while balancing work, family, military service, or community commitments. Across every format, students are part of a community built on connection, structure, and shared purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Could I Do with a TELL Certificate?
Upon completion of your Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners studies, you will have had the opportunity to build the skills used in the creation of engaging, intuitive learning experiences. Coursework is designed to provide the insights you could use to meet challenges and opportunities teaching English language learners in the field of education. This program also explores what it takes to offer instruction through online learning, educational games, and corporate training courses.
What is the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) Program?
The TELL program at Post University offers practical tools and knowledge to teach English as a second language, covering key learning theories and instructional methods. It allows students the opportunity to learn how to create engaging learning experiences for non-native English speakers of all ages.
What Topics are Covered in the Coursework for Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners?
The coursework in the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) from Post University covers key learning theories involved in learning English as a non-native speaker., It also covers methods for effective instruction and strategies in ELSL education, grammar, syntax, everyday usage, and approaches for teaching English to students of all ages.
Does the TELL Certificate Fulfill Educational Requirements for Licensure or TESOL Certification?
No, the TELL Certificate from Post University is not designed to fulfill the educational requirements for any educational credential, such as a state teacher’s license or TESOL certification. However, Post University assists in providing information regarding licensure requirements, which vary by state.
How Long Does a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners Take?
The duration of a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) program from Post University can vary depending on factors such as the specific requirements of the program and whether it is pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Typically, this program can be completed in 10 months.
Can I Get a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners Online?
Yes, you can get a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners online. Post University offers the graduate certificate program in TELL entirely online, providing students with the flexibility to study remotely while balancing other commitments. The online graduate certificate program in TELL features interactive courses, personalized support from advisors, and practical application of ESL teaching principles in a virtual learning environment.
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