Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the TEFL Certificate for?

The TEFL Certificate is for an individual who wants to live and work abroad. The TEFL Certificate will provide you with the credentials to get a job and teach English confidently and competently. (Remember: most employers also require a college or university degree in addition to a TEFL Certificate.)

The TEFL Certificate also provides the skills and knowledge for those working with English language learners in U.S. nonprofit organizations (NGOs), community groups, translation services, and other support services. A TEFL Certificate has become a valuable and important skill for those assisting speakers whose English is not their first language in multicultural cities and towns in the U.S. and abroad.

How long is each course?

Each course is five weeks in length. There are four online courses. One course, Material and Methods for Teaching EFL, includes a classroom observation component. The four courses are:

• Issues of Culture in TEFL
• Linguistics and Language Acquisition
• Methods and Materials in TEFL
• Instruction, Assessment and Professionalism in TEFL

How many months will it take to complete the TEFL Certificate?

Less than six months.

Will faculty and staff in the TEFL Certificate program assist me with my job search?

Yes! Faculty and staff in the TEFL Certificate at the University of North Georgia (UNG) will assist you in your English teaching job search. English teaching opportunities abroad include: China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and many other countries.

Is there technical support for the online classes if I need assistance?

Yes. Online assistance is available as well as telephone support and face-to-face assistance on any of the five UNG campuses. Desire to Learn - or D2L - is the learning management system (LMS) that the courses will be delivered.

Approximately how many hours each week should I plan to devote to the course?

Students are expected to spend between 3-5 hours each week. Some weeks may be busier than others; other weeks may be less demanding.

Are there scholarships available?

Full scholarships are available to pay the total tuition of the TEFL Certificate. Students apply for a scholarship before the start of the first course of the TEFL Certificate.

Are the course instructors accessible?

Yes, the course instructor is available by email and can also be contacted by telephone and Skype. There will also be interactive, video-conference classes to talk about topics, issues, and lessons with the course instructor and other students in the program.

Is the TEFL Certificate fully online?

Yes. All the courses are online. For the practicum component, students living out of the state of Georgia, the TEFL Certificate coordinate can arrange classroom visits with local schools, colleges or universities to conduct classroom observations and teaching. For students living near the University of North Georgia, classroom visits can be arranged on the UNG campus.

Do I have to enroll in at the University of North Georgia or be enrolled in another college or university to take the TEFL Certificate?

A student does not have to be enrolled at UNG or another college or university to register for the TEFL Certificate. Register for the TEFL Certificate through UNG's Professional and Continuing Education.