IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 22, 2016) - In response to the growing demand for quality English language instructors both abroad and in the United States, the University of California, Irvine Extension announced today a new Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program. The certificate program is designed to prepare professionals with foundational knowledge and real-world skills to effectively step into a career in TESOL with the flexibility of online courses. With registration currently open, the program will feature two spring courses for those who wish to teach English in a variety of English as a Second Language (ESL) settings in the United States and overseas, including: recent graduates, international students, aspiring educators, career changers, along with current teachers interested in enhancing their competencies in the field of TESOL.

"English remains the predominant language through which most of the world communicates, and the growing global market has made the demand for English language instructors higher than ever," said Angela Jeantet, director of education and business programs at UC Irvine Extension. "Mastering the English language can be a challenge for non-native speakers. The UC Irvine Extension TESOL program equips teachers with the skills and techniques required to effectively teach non-English speaking students."

TESOL participants receive a balance of current theory and practical experience in second language acquisition instructional methods. Courses provide a comprehensive study of core knowledge in the field, including aspects of linguistics and sociolinguistics, the structure of English, methodology of teaching and assessing English, literacy development, curriculum development and language assessment. A certificate may be earned in as few as eight months. The two spring courses offered include:

• "Theories of TESOL" - (April 4 to May 22, online) will teach participants the language acquisition process and provide a thorough understanding of the essential factors in first and second language development. Throughout the course, participants will explore the psychological, cognitive, socio-cultural and pedagogical factors that affect language learning and current teaching methods.

• "Teaching Reading and Vocabulary Skills" - (May 9 to June 12, online) will examine the techniques that teachers can apply to help English language learners develop reading fluency and comprehension skills. This course examines the types of vocabulary that ESL/EFL students need to learn and the strategies that enhance the learners' receptive and productive use of English vocabulary.

Additional courses include:

• "Methods of TESOL" - introduces participants to the methods used to teach English as a second or foreign language. Course participants will learn how to prepare lesson plans and will also explore the significance of varied learning modalities in the development of effective lessons.

• "Teaching Listening and Speaking Skills" - will review a variety of communicative teaching techniques to assist non-native speakers to improve their English fluency, accuracy, and listening comprehension skills.

• "Teaching English Grammar" - will provide a thorough understanding of the rules and structure of the language and an ability to explain those rules with ease. Specific instructional strategies will be presented for teaching grammar at all levels of English language learners.

• "Teaching Writing and Vocabulary Skills" - will examine strategies that can be employed to teach writing in a way that fosters communication and nurtures self-expression. Techniques in evaluating student writing will be presented and applied to real-life situations.

• "Teaching Practicum" - applies program instruction to field experience to help instructors prepare and implement language lessons for a specific learner audience. Digital media is used to record and provide opportunities for assessment and feedback.

For more information about the certificate program or to register for the courses, please visit Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program or call (949) 824-9427.

About UC Irvine Extension: University of California, Irvine Extension is the continuing education arm of UC Irvine, serving adult students online, at the UC Irvine campus, and at employer sites nationally and worldwide. Since 1962, UC Irvine Extension has offered open enrollment learning opportunities to the Orange County community, providing open access to the resources of the university, through Certificate and Specialized Studies programs (found here) and free, open educational resources (http://ocw.uci.edu/). Connect with UC Irvine Extension on the institution's social media channels.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities, it's Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy.