Learn how you can shape the role of language and multilingualism in an ever-changing and linguistically diverse world.
The Language and Education Certificate is an online synchronus program designed for aspiring and current educators looking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the interface between language and education within global contexts.
What Sets Us Apart
About the Program
The Language and Education certificate program offers a stimulating, accessible, and robust experience designed to foster intellectual growth in understanding the key concepts, issues, and challenges facing language and education professionals in today’s globalized world.
This online program is ideal for those looking to advance their careers as language and education professionals and/or make informed decisions when pursuing graduate studies within the field.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Program Start: September 2, 2025
Program Duration: Two semesters: September 2, 2025-May 15, 2026
Cost:
- Standard Rate: $5,000
- 30% discount for School District of Philadelphia employees
- 15% discount available for:
- Penn GSE alumni
- Penn employees
Certificate/Licensure offered: Certificate in Language and Education
- Online
The Language and Education certificate offers participants a unique opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of the intersections among language, culture, and pedagogy.
Offered online, the certificate provides a taste of Educational Linguistics through five live, virtual modules. All modules are designed and taught by faculty from our Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Studies (LGIS) Master’s programs.
Upon successful completion of the certificate, learners who choose to pursue further education can apply to the TESOL or LGIS master’s programs at Penn GSE. If admitted, they may use the certificate to waive one elective course in the program.
Schedule
| Module | Dates | Time |
| CORE Module 1 | September 2, 9, 16 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Eastern Time |
| CORE Module 2 | October 14, 21, 28 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Eastern Time |
| ELECTIVE Module 1 | January 20, 27, February 3 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Eastern Time |
| ELECTIVE Module 2 | February 17, 24, March 3 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Eastern Time |
| ELECTIVE Module 2 | March 17, 24, 31 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Eastern Time |
Coursework
The certificate consists of five live, virtual modules, each focused on key topics within the fields of language and education. The modules will be both practical and research-based, while also addressing contemporary concerns related to equal opportunity and access. Participants will complete two required core modules and select three elective modules of their choice.
Coursework consists of:
5 modules, 6 hours each, meet for three weeks in 2-hour sessions, ALL ONLINE, a total of 30 hours. Of these five modules, all students will take two REQUIRED Modules:
- Approaches to TESOL (Taught by Dr. Santoi Wagner)
- Linguistics in Education (Taught by Dr. Anne Pomerantz)
Electives
Students select three additional modules from a menu of nine possible electives:
- Assessment (Yuko Butler)
- English as a Global Lingua Franca (Yumi Matsumoto)
- Indigenous Education and Language Revitalization (Rob Moore)
- Translanguaging and Raciolinguistics (Nelson Flores)
- Task-Based Language Teaching (Catherine Box)
- Technology and AI in Language Teaching (Iryna Kozlova)
- Microethnography: Concepts and Research Methods (Betsy Rymes)
- Conversation Analysis and Language Teaching (Santoi Wagner)
- Second Language Development and Special Needs (María Cioè-Peña)
Program Outcomes
Outcomes will vary based on the selection of electives. Upon certificate completion, students will be able to articulate, design, evaluate, and apply the following:
Foundational concepts in language learning and teaching
Foundational ethnographic research methods used to understand complex multilingual contexts
Strategies for creating engaging and effective lessons using a communicative and learner-centered approach
Digital tools that enhance engagement and accessibility in virtual and in-person classrooms
Assessment tools that evaluate learner proficiency and instructional needs
Key social and cultural factors impacting language learning and teaching
Approaches to language revitalization among indigenous and endangered language communities