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Graduate Certificate in TESOL

Program overview

Bond TESOL programs prepare students for an international career in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

The Graduate Certificate in TESOL equips the graduates with essential knowledge and skills necessary for teaching English as a Second Language. Experienced educators can undertake the program as professional development or to extend their qualifications. The program can benefit educators of other disciplines, working in culturally and linguistically diverse contexts. 
 
This program comprises four subjects and students engage in approximately 150 contact hours. They also complete an approximately 30-hour Practicum, during which they learn from experienced teachers and teach a minimum of six hours under their supervision.
 
In Australia, the graduates teach international students in various educational institutions and language schools, depending on their prior qualifications. Internationally, they teach English in numerous countries, organisations, to students of all ages.

Program code: HS-23025

Program overview

Bond TESOL programs prepare students for an international career in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

The Graduate Certificate in TESOL equips the graduates with essential knowledge and skills necessary for teaching English as a Second Language. Experienced educators can undertake the program as professional development or to extend their qualifications. The program can benefit educators of other disciplines, working in culturally and linguistically diverse contexts. 
 
This program comprises four subjects and students engage in approximately 150 contact hours. They also complete an approximately 30-hour Practicum, during which they learn from experienced teachers and teach a minimum of six hours under their supervision.
 
In Australia, the graduates teach international students in various educational institutions and language schools, depending on their prior qualifications. Internationally, they teach English in numerous countries, organisations, to students of all ages.

Program code: HS-23025

Get ahead in your global teaching career with Bond’s TESOL program

About this program

With internationalisation revolutionising education globally, the ability to teach in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms is no longer only needed by English as a Second Language teachers but is becoming essential for all teachers, at all levels of education in Australia and globally. The Graduate Certificate in TESOL develops knowledge and skills necessary for teaching English as a Second or Additional Language and for working in diverse classrooms in varied educational contexts, in Australia and internationally. The Graduate Certificate is designed to prepare prospective teachers for the initial experience of language teaching and/or to provide experienced educators with an opportunity for professional development and for extending their qualifications.   The Graduate Certificate in TESOL involves the completion of four subjects which develop theoretical knowledge of second language teaching and learning, and provide opportunities for teacher trainees to apply these theories in language classrooms. Students engage in the equivalent of 150 contact hours of synchronous and asynchronous on-campus/multimodal sessions, focusing on the principles and applications of teaching English as a Second or Additional Language. Students have an opportunity to work with a lecturer and peers in weekly interactive and collaborative tutorials. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to become part of a dynamic learning community. Students also engage in self-paced learning through pre-recorded and post-recorded resources and gamified learning activities. The practical component involves students in an approximately 30-hour Practicum, during which they observe other professionals in action and teach under their supervision for a minimum of 6 hours. Pending their performance in the program, we can assist students located on the Gold Coast in completing the Practicum at Bond University College, an English Language Centre on the Bond University campus. If students are unable to complete their Practicum at Bond University College, it is their responsibility to secure the placement in another ELT centre. Depending on prior qualifications and individual arrangements, students may organise their Practicum in schools (if they are registered teachers) or in other ELT Centres. Many teachers complete the Practicum at the place of their current employment.   Students can commence their studies in the Graduate Certificate in TESOL in the January, May or September semester. All domestic students can study either part-time or full-time. International students who study in Australia must enrol in the full-time study option which consists of four subject enrolments. It is estimated that students need to spend approximately 10 hours per week of study per subject, in order to successfully complete it. Students who are in employment are, therefore, advised to undertake their studies part-time, particularly in their first semester.    (Note: This program does not in itself fulfil the requirements for teaching in the Australian school system as they may require a separate degree in education. It is always necessary to verify employer requirements.)

What you'll be studying

Study Overview

The Graduate Certificate in TESOL is offered every semester. Domestic students can also study part-time. Students attend interactive weekly sessions, work on projects relevant to their work and complete the Teaching Practicum. The full-time study consists of four subjects. Students spend approximately 10 hours of study per week, per subject. If you work, we recommend you study part-time. Part-time study allows students to select two different electives, depending on semester subject offerings.

Program features

  • Experiential learning

    You will complete an approximately 30-hour teaching Practicum, during which you will work with experienced language teaching practitioners. You will observe experienced teachers in action and teach the minimum of six hours under their supervision. The Practicum is undertaken in real language classrooms which will give you a unique opportunity to meet the students and learn in an authentic teacher habitat.

  • Teaching practicum

    We assist students located on the Gold Coast in finding the Practicum placement.  Pending approval, students may organise their placements in schools where they teach (registered teachers) or other institutes where they are employed.

  • Personalised learning

    Students learn in small groups, working very closely with experienced lecturers who provide ongoing support to their students. Students have continuous opportunities to meet their mentors and discuss every step they take towards their degree. The program approach is learner-centred, and students work on authentic projects of their interest. They design projects which address the demands of their current employment or help prepare them for their dream job.

  • A global network

    The small classes are diverse in every dimension, with students of different backgrounds in languages, cultures, prior educational and professional experience, working together. While studying with peers from around the world, students develop life-lasting friendships and a strong professional global network.

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Hear from our Bondies

  • "When you study TESOL at Bond, you work in small, culturally and linguistically diverse classes, with lecturers and classmates from all over the world. The richness is not just about students’ backgrounds, but about their experience, where they lived, worked, studied or taught before. We make a strong community and we all learn from each other. I get to know my students and keep in touch with them for years. You will have a great professional global network and make friends for life."

    Dr Beata Webb - Associate Professor
  • "My experience with the Bond TESOL program has been without a doubt, one of the most positive educational experiences I’ve had in my life and is something that I cannot recommend highly enough. The TESOL program has given me a much deeper appreciation of what it is that I need to bring to the classroom as a teaching professional of the English language. If anyone is considering studying TESOL at Bond, I would certainly recommend it as a very worthwhile investment, in a unique learning environment."

    Kirk Koster - TESOL alumnua
PreviousNext

Hear from our Bondies

  • "When you study TESOL at Bond, you work in small, culturally and linguistically diverse classes, with lecturers and classmates from all over the world. The richness is not just about students’ backgrounds, but about their experience, where they lived, worked, studied or taught before. We make a strong community and we all learn from each other. I get to know my students and keep in touch with them for years. You will have a great professional global network and make friends for life."

    Dr Beata Webb - Associate Professor
  • "My experience with the Bond TESOL program has been without a doubt, one of the most positive educational experiences I’ve had in my life and is something that I cannot recommend highly enough. The TESOL program has given me a much deeper appreciation of what it is that I need to bring to the classroom as a teaching professional of the English language. If anyone is considering studying TESOL at Bond, I would certainly recommend it as a very worthwhile investment, in a unique learning environment."

    Kirk Koster - TESOL alumnua
PreviousNext

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