Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL)

Graduate Certificate
(Postgraduate)

Provides fundamental theoretical principles and practical skills for a career in language teaching or other related work in educational contexts in Singapore or overseas.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL)

Applications Open: 16 October 2024

Applications Close: 15 April 2025

Next Available Intake: July 2025

Programme Type: Graduate Certificate

Fees: View More Details on Fees

Area of Interest: Linguistics and Languages

School/Department: School of Humanities & Behavioural Sciences

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Meet the Head of Programme at our online dialogue session via Zoom and have your questions answered!

Wednesday, 11 Dec 2024, 7pm-8pm

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) programme provides fundamental theoretical principles and practical skills for a career in language teaching or other related work in educational contexts in Singapore or overseas.

The programme caters to the needs of those currently working as language teachers, those who plan to work as language teachers in the future, and those who simply have a passion for language learning/teaching and would like to pursue further education in this field.

Unique Features of the Programme

Curriculum suitable for language teachers of different backgrounds (from the public school system and tertiary institutions to the private sector such as international schools, language/enrichment centres)
Emphasis on developing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the various TESOL contexts in Singapore as well as overseas
Experienced and highly-qualified local and international faculty
Flexibility of blended learning, with face-to-face seminars, online recorded lectures and other e-learning tools

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Refer to general admission criteria for graduate programmes.

In addition, applicants will need to meet these minimum requirements:

A Bachelor’s degree in English Studies, Linguistics, Education or related field from a recognised institution. Applicants with other qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Language requirements for applicants whose Bachelor's degree is not in English Studies or Linguistics:
- An excellent score in the English Proficiency Assessment to be conducted by Singapore University of Social Sciences
Additional language requirements for applicants whose native language or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English:
- TOEFL PBT > 580, with (preferably) a TWE of 5, or
- TOEFL iBT > 85, with a minimum of 22 in writing, or
- IELTS > 6.5, with no sub-score below 6, or
- PTE Academic score of 58, or
- C1 Advanced score of 180.
IELTS/TOEFL score must be obtained within the last 2 years at point of application.

This programme is currently unable to take in international students, i.e., you must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or a resident in Singapore (e.g., Employment Pass holder) in order to apply for admission.

Concession
To encourage further education and upgrading by alumni, SUSS offers the following course fee concessions to SUSS alumni.

ACE Scheme - SUSS graduates from January 2022 semester onwards will enjoy two free modular courses (up to 10 credit units) to be taken within 3 years after graduation.
PACE Scheme - All SUSS graduates who are 40 years and above, and have not fully utilised the ACE+, Resilience or ACE scheme, will enjoy two free modular courses (up to 10 credit units) to be taken within five years from the commencement of the first course.

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) programme (15 credit units or cu) consists of three courses. All courses are 5 cu unless stated otherwise.
ProgStruc_GTCSL

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) programmes are suitable for:

Candidates who wish to have a quick upgrading of theoretical knowledge and practical skills for a career in English language teaching, including those considering a mid-career switch to English language teaching, either in Singapore or overseas.
All teachers of different backgrounds (from the public school system and tertiary institutions to the private sector such as international schools, language/enrichment centres).
Both experienced and novice language instructors or administrators and professionals working in various education-related contexts.

Graduates can look forward to a fulfilling career in language teaching and language curriculum/programme management in public schools, private schools, tertiary institutions, etc.

Aren't Applied Linguistics and TESOL two different subjects?
Applied Linguistics and TESOL/language teaching are closely interrelated, with each informing the other in terms of theories and practice. By tradition, Applied Linguistics has a more disciplinary content focus. Our Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and MA in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) programmes make a value-add to a study in Applied Linguistics by incorporating a more practical and skill-based focus (TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers to Other Languages).

For more information on our courses, please take a look at the course summaries on our website.
How many intakes are there in a year for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) – GCTSL – programme?
One intake a year (July semester).
What are the minimum and maximum durations of the GCTSL programme?
The minimum duration is six months (one regular semester) and the maximum duration is 24 months (4 regular semesters).
How many courses do students take up each semester?
Students are recommended to complete 2 to 3 courses per semester.
When are the lessons scheduled?
In general, lessons are scheduled on weekday evenings from 7pm to 10pm.
After completing the GCTSL requirements, am I allowed to proceed to the Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) – GDTSL – (or) the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) – MATSL – without a gap semester?
Yes, after completing the GCTSL requirements, if you have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.5, you can proceed to do the GDTSL immediately in the following semester. If you have a minimum CGPA of 3.0, you can proceed to do the MATSL immediately in the following semester.
Will Singapore University of Social Sciences' Graduate Certificate programme certify candidates to teach?
Our programmes do not certify our candidates as teachers. However, they do provide the knowledge and skills needed to teach, should the candidates choose to do so.
Is the GCTSL stackable towards other postgraduate programmes at SUSS?
The GCTSL is stackable towards the GDTSL – Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics (TESOL), and MATSL – Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL).
What happens if I do not complete the graduate programmes (e.g. Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master) within the candidature period? Can I apply to take the remaining courses via CET pathway?
Students who have not completed their graduate programmes within the stipulated candidature period will not be eligible for the award of the qualification for such graduate programmes. Such students however may apply to take, via the CET pathway, the remaining courses which they did not complete under their graduate programmes as part of their personal learning and development. Such application will be subjected to the CET admission requirement. However, as such students have exceeded the candidature period for their graduate programmes, they will not be awarded the qualification for such graduate programmes even after taking and completing the remaining courses via the CET pathway (“Condition”).

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COURSE, IS ONE OF THE COURSES UNDER A GRADUATE PROGRAMME. THEREFORE, APPLICANTS FOR THIS COURSE ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING CONDITION. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS COURSE, THE APPLICANT AGREES TO BE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING CONDITION.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL)