BSEd in TESOL and World Language Education
Our highly regarded TESOL and World Language Education program is for teacher candidates in their final year at UGA. You will be amazed at how much you learn in just two semesters, as you prepare to teach modern and classical languages in preschool through 12th grade with the B.S.Ed. in TESOL and World Language Education.
Earn initial certification to teach in Georgia public schools (T-4) and you may also pursue an endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) while earning your degree. Cap off your UGA education with this year-long program filled with hands-on opportunities to put theory into practice.
Highlights
- 100 percent of graduates employed in P-12 or adult education
- Ranked 5th in the nation for secondary education by U.S. News & World Report (2014)
- Ranked 6th in the nation for elementary education by U.S. News & World Report (2014)
Curriculum
Our curriculum will expose you to an array of clinical styles and research methods. You will prepare for a career teaching modern, classical, and less-common languages such as French, German, Latin, or Spanish at the primary level through a combination of:
- Hands-on classroom experiences
- A variety of clinical teaching styles
- A range of research methods
A major focus of our program is hands-on learning. In the Fall, you will participate in two classroom experiences—one at the elementary level and one in middle or high school—where you can see teaching theories come to life.
In the Spring, our students become teachers and teach full-time at their host schools for much of the semester. Graduates may earn T-4 (initial) certification to teach in Georgia public schools. You may also pursue an Endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL).
During the program, all candidates will have an opportunity to work with children in each grade band as required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The grade bands are PK–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. Our faculty conduct research and publish in top peer-reviewed journals in the field of second language acquisition and learning.
Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .
Four-Year Plans
2023-2024 Four-Year Plans
- Download Plan for French (PDF)
- Download Plan for German (PDF)
- Download Plan for Latin (PDF)
- Download Plan for Spanish (PDF)
- Download Plan for TESOL (PDF)
2024-2025 Four-Year Plan
How to Apply
Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia
The UGA Office of Undergraduate Admissions oversees the application process required for the university. Therefore, a student must be accepted to UGA before entering a College of Education program.
Part 2: Apply to the B.S.Ed. in TESOL and World Language Education
- Overall GPA of 3.0
- Documentation of 50 Hours of Pre-professional Experience (e.g., time log, a letter detailing hours worked and under whose supervision, a letter from a supervisor detailing hours, etc.)
- Resume of Experiences related to World Language Education
- A 3-5 page statement of purpose responding to this prompt: “Why do you wish to pursue a career in teaching world languages?”
- Two references - One reference should come from someone who is able to speak of the applicant’s ability to work with children ages 4-18 (These letters can be from “formal” settings such as schools and camps, but they can also be from people who have hired you to work with their children in a babysitting/nanny situation). The second reference should come from someone who is able to speak of the applicant’s proficiency in the language and cultures in which they plan to become certified (i.e. former language professor).
Physical letters of recommendation can be sent to:
Connie Tucker University of Georgia Department of Language and Literacy Education 315 Aderhold Hall 110 Carlton Street Athens, Georgia 30602Deadline to Apply
Fall 2025 Major Admissions Timeline
- Application Opens – Friday, December 20, 2024
- Application Closes – Friday, January 24, 2025, at 5 p.m.
- Decisions Released – Monday, February 10, 2025
Student Outcome Data
Program Assessment 2022-2023 (PDF)Additional Resources
Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.
The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.
All undergraduate students at UGA meet with an academic advisor each semester. This meeting is critical to student success and provides a chance to discuss courses and electives, certification criteria, and general graduation requirements.
Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.
Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.
With 20 or fewer students per group, you will have the opportunity to forge friendships and make professional contacts that last a lifetime. You will also work closely with faculty members who actively conduct research and publish in top peer-reviewed journals.
Learn by doing. You will spend a large portion of the year in actual classrooms teaching actual students.
Extend your undergraduate life beyond academics by getting involved in some of the many student organizations and activities that UGA offers.
See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.