TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. People who pursue a TESOL Certificate do so to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with non-native English speakers, either overseas or within the United States. Previous TESOL students have found work as an ESL teacher within the United States, as well as in Peru, Guatemala, Japan, South Korea, China, and Cyprus, as well as in other countries. This program will provide you with grounding in theoretical and empirical research in second language learning and teaching, as well as provide you with the skills you need to work effectively with English learners. It also meets the ESL licensure requirements for the Mississippi State Department of Education. In addition to options for working with English learners within the United States, holders of a TESOL certificate and a Bachelor’s degree are strategically placed for a career teaching English as a foreign language in various countries outside of the United States. Many of these positions are with private businesses, private schools, or public school districts.