Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL

Overview

Click the Course Information tab on the right for the full course details. You can also download the application forms under the ‘Application Details’ section. Course fees will be updated once available.

Rationale

  • Designed to enhance the theoretical understanding and practical teaching skills of English Language professionals in the Asia-Pacific region who are interested in obtaining a postgraduate qualification in teaching ESL/EFL.
  • The Diploma will benefit language lecturers, teachers and specialists in the region who have a first degree and at least 2 years of teaching experience.

Aims

With successful completion, participants should be able to:

  • Apply relevant and appropriate key theories in the field of ELT/Applied Linguistics to their own teaching contexts;
  • Discuss the main processes and issues involved in second language learning in the era of globalization; and
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the major teaching and assessment approaches, methods, and techniques that have been widely used and discussed in the field of ELT/Applied Linguistics.

Period and Nature of Study

The period of study is from 5 July to 3 December 2027 (22 weeks).

Participants will start with a 9-week online phase (inclusive of a 1-week break) while in their home country, during which they will begin the learning for two modules. After a 2-week break, participants will attend an 11-week residential school in Singapore.

PeriodDateNature of study
Weeks 1 – 405 Jul – 30 JulOnline Phase
Week 502 Aug – 06 AugBreak
Weeks 6 – 909 Aug – 03 SepOnline Phase
Weeks 10 – 1106 Sep – 17 SepBreak
Weeks 12 – 2220 Sep – 03 DecResidential Phase

Delivery

This course consists of six modules:

  • Each module has thirteen (13) 3-hour input sessions and two (2) 3-hour sessions for independent learning/consultation (IL).
  • Two (2) modules are delivered in a blended mode, combining on-line webinars on Saturdays undertaken from the participant’s home country and in-person teaching in Singapore; and
  • Four (4) modules are delivered entirely in-person during the residential phase at RELC, Singapore.

 

Learner Training is provided to familiarize learners with the learning management system to be used for online learning.

Structure

Description of Modules

This course consists of six modules:

  • Two are delivered in a blended mode, combining on-line and in-person teaching; and
  • Four are delivered entirely in-person at RELC.

The sequence and mode of delivery of the modules are subject to change.

Title

Introduction to TESOL

Description

Mode of Delivery: Blended
Mode of Assessment: Continuous Assessment and Exam

This module provides foundational knowledge in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). It introduces key theories and principles that inform English language teaching across diverse contexts, with particular attention to how learners learn, process, and use language. The module aims to highlight the relationship between theory and practice, enabling course participants to apply these insights in real-world instructional settings. It also prepares participants to critically examine and evaluate different approaches to language teaching and learning, fostering a more informed and reflective understanding of pedagogical choices.

Title

Teaching Digital Multiliteracies

Description

Mode of Delivery: Blended
Mode of Assessment: Continuous Assessment and Exam

In a digital, multimodal world where meaning-making is key to communication, what core multiliteracies are essential for our ESOL learners? How should we systematically help them understand, analyze, evaluate, and create digital multimodal texts? How should we teach them to be critical and responsible consumers and producers of digital information, considering the massive proliferation of Generative AI? This module aims to address these questions and issues. It will equip course participants with the competencies and insights in teaching digital, AI, information, multimodal, and critical literacies in the ESOL classroom. Through contextualized projects and microteaching, course participants will develop a theoretical understanding of the core digital multiliteracies and gain the practical skills necessary to teach them in their specific contexts.

Title

Teaching Listening and Speaking

Description

Mode of Delivery: In-person
Mode of Assessment: Continuous Assessment and Exam

This module aims to develop course participants’ understanding of the theoretical bases for teaching listening and speaking in TESOL contexts. It examines and explores various approaches to teaching listening and speaking. It familiarizes course participants with the teaching of sub-skills and strategies involved in listening and speaking. Course participants will be tasked to plan and carry out microteaching of listening and speaking lessons as part of the module assessment.

Title

Teaching Reading and Writing

Description

Mode of Delivery: In-person
Mode of Assessment: Continuous Assessment and Exam

This module deals with the principles, design, and procedures in teaching reading and writing in the EL classroom. The integration of theory and classroom practice will be achieved via sample lesson plans and micro-teaching sessions. Key theories of reading and writing and current approaches to teaching reading and writing will be explored and discussed vis-à-vis the course participants’ teaching and learning contexts.

Title

Assessment in the Language Classroom

Description

Mode of Delivery: In-person
Mode of Assessment: Continuous Assessment and Exam

This module is designed for language teachers and assessors who seek to understand and apply the principles and practices of formative and summative assessment within their institutional contexts. It focuses on integrating formative assessment into everyday teaching and on designing and evaluating language tests for both face-to-face and online environments. The course also embeds the principled use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of assessment practices in language education.

Title

Language Curriculum Design and Implementation

Description

Mode of Delivery: In-person
Mode of Assessment: Continuous Assessment and Exam

This module combines current language curriculum theory and curriculum design approaches with hands-on application. It examines the types of language syllabus featured in textbooks and course materials used by teachers and their students in different TESOL contexts. Course participants will be familiarized with key concepts and approaches related to language syllabus and course design, as well as key challenges and issues concerning language curriculum planning and implementation. Course participants will be tasked to design a proposed course or a unit of study for a targeted group of learners as part of the module assessment. The course/unit of study proposal will include clearly defined course objectives and learning outcomes, the course/unit of study outline, structure and suggested content, and a description of the principles that guide the content and sequencing, the format and presentation, and the monitoring and assessment of the course/unit of study.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to the course are:
  1. A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualifications) in Linguistics, English Language, TESOL or Education;
  2. At least two years of recent full-time English language teaching experience or recent experience in English language curriculum planning and language development programmes#; and
  3. Candidates must meet the minimum language scores for any of the following:
    • IELTS: 6.5;
    • TOEFL: 550 paper-based/543 ITP; 213 computer-based; 79 internet-based/iBT;
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE): score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58);
    • GCE O Level English: B4;
    • GCE A Level General Paper: C6;
    • Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): C;
    • SPM 1119 English: B (GPK/PNG 3.00)/Kepujian Tinggi;
    • STPM General Paper/English Literature: B- (CGPA/HGMP 2.67);
    • Malaysian University English test (MUET): Band 4;
    • CU TEP with a score of 65 (equivalent to IELTS 6.5);
    • APTIS (B2/C1) or Linguaskill (>176) (equivalent 6.5 IELTS);
    • Duolingo English Test (>120) (equivalent 6.5 IELTS); or
    • Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176, with each skill score no less than 169.
Note: Applicants who do not meet Criterion (3) are required to pass the RELC English selection test.

#: Nominees whose teaching experience is not recent or current but who intend to take on a teaching role after the course should indicate this plan/ intent clearly in section 3 (personal statement) of their completed RELC application form.

Application Details

Closing Date : 21 April 2027

To apply for this course, please submit the following documents to our email address at sa@relc.org.sg.

  • Application Form (completed and endorsed)
  • Health Declaration and Medical Form* (completed and endorsed)
  • Officially certified copies of the applicant’s certificates of degrees/diplomas
  • Officially certified copies of the applicant’s transcripts. Where a transcript is in a language other than English, it should be accompanied by a certified translation into English. (In the absence of a transcript, a certified statement on the degrees/academic qualifications achieved with a listing of subjects studied and subject examination results is required.)
  • Officially certified copies of current/valid IELTS or official TOEFL results for applicants from non-English medium education systems
 

*Note: Only for applicants not residing in Singapore. Applicants not residing in Singapore will be required to undergo a medical examination in their home countries as part of the application process.

Fees

Year 2027 Course Fees

To be updated by end of June 2026.

All course fees and registration fees listed are inclusive of 9% GST.

Note:

• All fees are subject to change without notice;
• RELC does not accept any responsibility for accidents on journey to and from Singapore or in Singapore, or for the loss of baggage and other personal belongings in transit or in Singapore;
• RELC will also not be responsible for taking out air, travel and personal accident insurance for students; and
• Students are expected to incur additional costs for miscellaneous learning materials.

Payment of Fees

• The registration fee must be submitted together with the application form and supporting documents

• Fees are payable before the commencement of the course

• An administrative fee of SGD 54.00 (inclusive of GST) will be imposed for payments made in cash
(i.e., Applicants will have to pay an additional SGD 54.00 (inclusive of GST) if they wish to make a payment in cash to RELC).

• Participants are responsible for all bank transfer charges and must ensure that the final amount received by SEAMEO RELC matches the amount stated on the invoice.

• Enrolment will only proceed once we have received proof of the transaction (e.g. a copy of the transaction receipt or a bank statement showing the transaction), confirmed receipt of funds, and received a completed Health Undertaking Form, duly filled out by a registered physician in your country of residence. Please note that the Health Undertaking Form will be issued only when we send the Letter of Offer.

Refund Policy

• The registration fee is strictly non-refundable

• Cancellation of enrolment must be made in writing

• An Administration Fee of SGD 160.50 (inclusive of GST) will be payable if the notice of cancellation/withdrawal is made less than 5 calendar days from the date on which the payment is received

• Full course fees paid are non-refundable if the notice cancellation/withdrawal is made after 5 calendar days from the date on which the payment was received

• Withdrawals after the course has commenced will not be eligible for refund.

Graduation Requirements

To complete the course successfully, the candidate must satisfy the below criteria. A course participant whose progress has not been satisfactory may be required to terminate his/her candidature.

  • Obtain a pass in all modules
  • Satisfy face-to-face class attendance requirements; and
  • Satisfy online mandatory course requirements in terms of the completion of forum postings, quizzes and assignments.

Award

The course will lead to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics.