Online Certificate: Teaching English to Multilingual Students

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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?

Gain theoretical and practice knowledge.
Get hands-on teaching preparation and practice.
Set yourself apart from others applying for graduate programs, teaching positions, or promotions:

Earn a certificate -- all online!

Program Overview

College Writing Programs offers the Certificate that is earned by taking any five of the six courses listed below.

Courses provide UC Berkeley academic credit in a small class setting.
The Teaching English to Multilingual Students Certificate can be considered equivalent to many certificates in TESOL or TEFL.
Coursework includes synchronous meetings with faculty and small student groups.
Even if you aren’t pursuing a Certificate, you are welcome to join any of these classes individually if you are interested.

Courses (Sessions A and D below)

All courses are online and asynchronous.
Taking courses Colwrit 142 and 143 can useful before taking Colwrit 145 and 146.
Note: Not all classes may be offered every summer.

Teaching English to Multilingual Students - UC Berkeley Certificate

YouTube Link

Abigail Corcio, UC Berkeley Class of 2025, talks about the benefits of the certificate program.

Abi is currently an assistant kindergarten teacher planning to pursue a graduate degree toward a career in dual immersion education. While at Cal, she took four College Writing Programs courses, as well as one Education course, to earn her certificate in Teaching English to Multilingual Students, which has helped broaden her knowledge and increase her confidence in instructional techniques to prepare her for her current job. Excited about language teaching, she then wrote and presented an honors thesis focusing on bilingual education and later participated in the Santa Barbara World Language Seminar student strand.

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.