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Develop specialised skills for professional practice
Key facts
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Become qualified to teach English as an additional language with the Graduate Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Get an introduction to the specialised skills and pedagogical knowledge required to lead TESOL programs, and graduate as a confident, in-demand TESOL and EAL teacher.
Primary or secondary teachers eligible for teacher registration in Australia can claim RPL (Recognition for Prior Learning) for this course for direct entry into the Master of TESOL E704; they may either complete the Masters (8 units) or exit the Master of TESOL after four units with the Graduate Diploma in TESOL E604. Please see the relevant course sites for course structures.
Want to develop sought-after teaching skills that lead to career progression?
The Graduate Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is an internationally recognised degree designed for current educators looking to build specialised skills, as well as professionals from other backgrounds with a passion for teaching and language. A high demand for English teachers worldwide puts graduates in a strong position to unlock new career pathways in Australia and abroad.
Under the guidance of accomplished academics with global experience in language teaching, you will be trained to teach English as an additional language in schools and adult-learning contexts. Key study areas include:
- principles and approaches to TESOL, including curriculum design and evaluation
- the structure of the English language and how to analyse features of written and spoken text
- linguistic and pedagogical aspects of language learning
- how languages are learned and in what contexts
- contemporary issues relating to language curriculum development.
The course takes an interactive, problem-based approach to teaching. This allows you to develop practical skills that translate directly to the classroom. It also focuses on research-led learning, ensuring course content is evidence based, and the skills you learn reflect the modern challenges of the field.
Upon completion of the course, you'll have the option of pursuing rewarding roles in TESOL education, or continuing your studies into the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The Masters program builds on skills learned at the graduate certificate level, and broadens your industry experience with even more professional development opportunities.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- E504
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
International student requirements
International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.
Workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.
Participation requirements
Students are required to participate actively in the weekly class and tutorial activities provided in CloudDeakin, and complete the scheduled learning tasks.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band less than 6.0)
- PTE Academic: minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 65) speaking and listening 73
English-speaking education:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a recognised English-speaking country or completion of DUELI English for Teaching program, with a WAM of 60
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (E704)
Careers
Career outcomes
There is a high demand for English teachers worldwide. Employment opportunities for teachers of English as an additional language are growing in Australia and overseas. So too are leadership positions in language teaching institutions. With an internationally recognised qualification, you will have the freedom to build a career without borders.
Locally, there are opportunities to work at private language schools or language teaching institutions for migrants.
Please note: To teach in primary and secondary education in Australia you will need to complete an accredited program, such as the Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary).
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Critically analyse and apply advanced and specialist knowledge of the principles of contemporary curriculum design, pedagogy and assessment practices and their application for the teaching of English across a range of diverse professional learning and educational contexts |
| Communication | Employ a range of oral and written communication skills and standards required of professional educators and learning professionals to be able to transmit complex knowledge in one or more languages to students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and in professional and scholarly contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Apply a range of digital technologies and data sources to create, search, analyse, report, evaluate and communicate within the practice and scholarship of teaching and learning of languages. |
| Critical thinking | Critically review, analyse and synthesise complex ideas and make informed judgements to improve teaching and learning approaches in languages education and applied linguistics. |
| Problem solving | Apply specialist knowledge of relevant learning theories to identify, analyse and evaluate authentic problems of practice, and generate informed and innovative solutions. |
Approved at Faculty Board August 2020
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Footnotes
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.