Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
NC State is proud to be a diverse university with students from all over the world — and the TESOL program plays a vital role in providing support and resources to students, faculty and staff.
Program Overview
Whether you are an international student who needs to enroll in an English language course, a student interested in becoming a TESOL professional or a current professional interested in TESOL training, we can help you meet your academic and professional goals.
Minor in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Undergraduates at NC State have the opportunity to earn a minor in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), which will give them a deeper understanding of English as an international language and formal training in teaching English as a foreign language in various cultural and/or educational contexts. The minor consists of 15 credit hours and is open to students from all disciplines. Please meet the most recent recipient of the Outstanding Teaching English as a Foreign Language Award.
WLC TESOL Certificate
A 12 credit hour program of study in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Undergraduate students who complete this certificate program will be able to document their knowledge and expertise in TESOL for scholarship opportunities, employers, and graduate schools. Also, many students at NC State interested in TESOL are enrolled in programs that have limited free-elective credits, making it difficult to complete the five-course TEFL minor. English Language Teaching Placement Programs around the world require evidence of a TESOL Certificate in order to be considered for placement. Completion of the certificate enables participants to demonstrate their cultural competence and interest in positive global engagement. Finally, in-service K-12 teachers who complete the TESOL certificate will be prepared to take the Praxis II-ESOL test and, if successful, receive the ESL Add-on licensure from the NC DPI. This program is open to undergraduates in any major and of any class standing, as well as non-degree students.
ESL Add-On Licensure Program for K-12 teachers
The NC State TESOL program provides the ESL Add-on Licensure Program for both undergraduates enrolled in teacher education (preservice) and for currently licensed North Carolina public school teachers (inservice). Please check out our recent recipient of the ESL Teacher Education Award.
MA in World Languages and Cultures with a TESOL Concentration
Those seeking a terminal degree should consider NC State’s TESOL concentration within the M.A. degree program in World Languages and Cultures. Candidates take 18 credit hours in TESOL and have the option of taking the remaining 12 credits in NC State’s prestigious English/Linguistics program and School of Education. We also offer a master’s degree with dual concentrations (TESOL and French or TESOL and Spanish). Each concentration consists of 18 credit hours. You will receive one diploma but your transcript will show both concentrations.
TESOL Certificate Program
This non-degree program sponsored by NCSU Continuing and Lifelong Education (McKimmon Center) is designed for those who are interested in teaching English abroad and in community colleges, and working and volunteering in immigrant communities. Students earn a TESOL Certificate in one semester. Over 300 professionals have completed the program and are teaching English in public and private institutions, nationally and internationally.
Credit-Bearing English Language Courses
We also offer credit-bearing courses for regularly enrolled undergraduate and graduate international students. You can find the classes listed in the NC State Course Catalog under the prefix WLEN (World Language English, formerly listed under FLE).
Non-Credit English Conversation Classes
NC State Global Café
This is a hybrid format conversation course designed for international graduate students, visiting scholars and their adult family members. The TA in charge each semester can update interested individuals through email. Please register for the course here: Registration/Interest Survey.
Conversation and Coffee Program
This program pairs international graduate students and visiting scholars at NC State with members of the NC State Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to share casual conversation, culture and friendship. The expectation is that pairs meet at least once a month per semester either at the McKimmon Center Coffee Shop, the Global Engagement Hub at 2123 Talley Student Center, another location near campus, or via Zoom. Please contact Robin Kube at rmkube@ncsu.edu to register.
Oral Proficiency Testing for International Teaching Assistants
The TESOL program offers language improvement courses for International Teaching Assistants. We also administer the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test for potential graduate teaching assistants. The SPEAK test is designed to measure non-native speakers’ oral English proficiency.
Teach English Abroad Programs
The WLC TESOL section offers a variety of opportunities to teach English abroad as part of teacher training where credit for WL 440 Practicum in TESOL can be earned. Supported by WLC faculty, NCSU students get hands-on experience teaching English as a foreign language in short-term and semester-long options:
Florence, Italy
Gandoca, Costa Rica
Nagoya, Japan
Seville, Spain
Exploring Teaching English Worldwide
Exploring Teaching English Worldwide is an interactive online lecture series highlighting the real-world experiences of NC State TESOL program graduates who are currently or who have taught abroad recently. Please join us for the online events or access the recordings to learn more about how to choose and apply for accredited teaching programs, transitioning to the local culture, housing, expected salary, as well as specific teaching experiences.
Watch the information session recordings:
- Bangladesh – Kelly Royster (2025): RECORDING
- China – Jessica Johnson (2024): RECORDING
- China – Imari Colon (2023): RECORDING
- Costa Rica – Daniel Martinez, Raquel Olvera, Ciara McArthur (2025): RECORDING
- Japan – Haven Jenkins (2025): RECORDING
- Japan – Meghanne Brunsink (2025): RECORDING
- Japan – Bre Pyfrom (2025): RECORDING
- Japan – Kimberly Miglino (2025): RECORDING
- Japan – Thomas Birchfiel (2024): RECORDING
- Japan – Marissah Waggoner (2023): RECORDING
- Korea – Emilie Fairman (2026): RECORDING
- Korea – Katelynn Roark (2024): RECORDING
- Spain – Nikki Roane (2026): RECORDING
- Spain – Anne Elkins (2025): RECORDING
- Taiwan – Brett Ellison (2024): RECORDING
- Thailand – Ken Morris (2023): RECORDING
Explore information sessions highlighting a variety of placement programs:
- ALTIA Central (2024)
- JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme) (2025)
- JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme) (2024)
- TEACH Taiwan Passcode: DuZS%T03 (2025)
- U.S. Department of State: English Language Fellow, Specialist and Virtual Educator Programs, (2024)
TESOL Outreach
Take advantage of the resources shared at a recent professional development workshop offered by NC State WLC TESOL faculty and graduate teacher assistants to community multilingual specialists.
Contact us
Jennifer Despain, TESOL Section Coordinator
Email: jhdespai@ncsu.edu
Office: Withers 313
Phone: 919-513-1482
Campus Box 8106
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8106
Making a global impact teaching English abroad!
Creating Global Community
