Certificate: Teaching English to Multilingual Students

Topics

Minors and Certificates topic page

Interested in teaching English to multilingual students abroad or in the US? Want to learn more about teaching and learning English?

Set yourself apart from others applying for positions or promotions:
Earn a certificate -- all online!

Program Overview

College Writing Programs offers a certificate that can be earned by taking five of the following courses.

You can take all the courses in one summer, or you can spread them out over two or more summers.
Even if you aren’t pursuing a certificate, you are welcome to join any of these classes individually if you are interested.

Teaching English to Multilingual Students - UC Berkeley Certificate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY_y6lggMJQ

Abigail Corcio, UC Berkeley alum, talks about the benefits of the certificate program.

Abi (Berkeley Class of 2025) wrote and presented an honors thesis focusing on bilingual education. She is currently an assistant kindergarten teacher planning to pursue a graduate degree toward a career in dual immersion education.

Excited about language teaching, Abi later participated in the Santa Barbara World Language Seminar student strand in Summer 2024 after taking four more College Writing Programs courses, as well as one Education course, to earn her certificate in Teaching English to Multilingual Students:

College Writing 121: Issues in Teaching English Internationally
College Writing 142: Grammar for English Language Instructors
College Writing 143: Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language
College Writing 145: Creating Materials for English Language Education
Education 140AC: The Art of Making Meaning: Educational Perspectives on Literacy and Learning in a Global World (Fieldwork)

Courses

All courses are online and asynchronous.

Students will be offered a certificate upon successful completion of five courses.

Note: Not all classes may be offered every summer. Links to 2026 class descriptions will be available in December 2025.

Session A (May 25 - July 2, 2026)

COLWRIT 121: Issues in Teaching English Internationally

Consider relevant academic and professional issues related to effective English language teaching abroad. Through readings, discussions, and assigned projects, you will learn about principles of language policy and planning, linguistics, methodology, and assessment, leading to your responsible engagement in the international community of English language teachers and learners.

COLWRIT 142: Grammar for English Language Instructors

Get the knowledge you need as a future instructor to explain English grammar to learners in your own classroom. You will gain an understanding of the structure of the English language and how to explain grammatical principles clearly so that learners from a variety of language backgrounds can understand.

COLWRIT 143: Foundations of Teaching ESL/EFL

Learn about the fundamental principles and practices of English language education in both local and global contexts. This course covers theory and methods behind teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking to diverse populations of English language learners in a variety of academic contexts.

Session D (July 06 - August 14, 2026)

COLWRIT 144: Teaching English as a Second Language: Practicum

Put your research and theoretical knowledge onto practice to support multilingual students’ learning! Course topics will include reflective practices, teacher decision-making, learner-centered classrooms, and general knowledge about language learning. Note: Instructor can assist with practicum placement if students are not currently working with learners in an educational setting.

COLWRIT 145: Creating Materials for English Language Education

Get strategies and practice developing instructional materials and assessment tools in English language teaching in both local and global contexts. This course covers theory and methods behind choosing, adapting, and writing materials that are suitable for diverse populations of English language learners in a variety of academic contexts.

COLWRIT 146: Teaching Online in a Global Context

Gain the skills and knowledge needed as future instructors teaching English online in multiple contexts. Both the possibilities and limitations of online instruction will be addressed: Being able to reach a wider audience of learners than previously possible while finding new ways to engage students and addressing socio-economic differences in access to technology.

Information

For general information about Summer Minors and Certificates: Summer Sessions Website

To register for courses: Summer Sessions Registration

To express your interest in pursuing the minor: Intention Form: Summer Certificate in Teaching English to Multilingual Students

To receive your certificate: Completion Form: Summer Certificate in Teaching English to Multilingual Students

Questions? Email collegewriting@berkeley.edu