SIT TESOL Certificate

Program Description

Join thousands of SIT TESOL Certificate recipients who teach, travel, and transform lives worldwide.

The SIT TESOL Certificate is a world-renowned English teaching certificate that gives you the specialized training and skills you need for a successful career teaching English as a second language (ESL) and as a foreign language (EFL) in secondary schools, colleges, and to adults.

Delivered through a virtual or in-person format, through this 180-hour course, you will develop the teaching, lesson planning, and classroom management skills essential to teaching English in the United States and abroad.

The SIT TESOL Certificate brings the recognition and prestige associated with the distinguished School for International Training (SIT), a leader in TESOL and English education for more than 60 years. The fully accredited, 180-hour certificate is accepted at Level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework, reflecting greater depth than the 100–120-hour programs typical of many entry-level TESOL certificates. Graduates can also earn up to 4 credit hours toward a master’s degree at SIT.

The SIT TESOL Certificate can open doors to professional opportunities around the world. Alumni of the program have gone on to teach English at schools and universities around the world and serve as English Language Specialists for the U.S. Department of State.

Program Information

• Start date: January 12, 2027
• End date: May 10, 2027
• Program length: 16 weeks, with a one-week break from March 9–15, 2027
• Time commitment: 10–12 hours per week
• Live sessions: Wednesdays, 6–9:15 p.m., and Saturdays, 9–11:45 a.m., Eastern U.S. Time
• Online learning: In addition to live Zoom sessions, coursework is completed asynchronously through Canvas and includes readings, videos, discussion forums, quizzes, and written assignments.
• Cost: $2,500

Applicants must:

• Have completed or be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
• Demonstrate college-level academic capacity, including advanced English language proficiency and strong writing skills.
• Demonstrate a willingness to plan and teach collaboratively in groups.
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in reflective learning and practice.
• Submit a completed application form.
• Complete an interview to assess communication skills and readiness for the course.

Ready to advance your English language teaching skills? Applications are now open for the online SIT TESOL Certificate Course.  Apply by December 16, 2026.

The SIT TESOL Certificate is accredited by SIT Graduate Institute and is available online or in-person through licensed training centers around the world, with training and certification provided by World Learning, a global nonprofit organization with a mission to build a better future for all people through education and exchange programs. The online course is also offered directly through the SIT TESOL Center in an extensive 16-week model with both synchronous and asynchronous components. For more information, contact [email protected] or (202) 464-5242.