Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate Program

Kelly Royster is a Lecturer in the field of TESOL in the Department of World Languages and Cultures. She teaches academic writing and oral communication for both undergraduate and graduate multilingual students. A former English Language Fellow in Bangladesh, Kelly has also worked with pre-service teachers to prepare them for the classroom, including teaching a Strategies and Curriculum course for the TEFL minor/TESOL Certificate programs at NC State. She is the OPD TESOL Certificate Coordinator, working to place students in teaching internships for observation and teaching hours in community English programs. Kelly holds an MA in TESOL and a BA in Linguistics, and a TESL Certificate. 

Jennifer Despain has taught English to Speakers of Other Languages in the Raleigh area and globally since 2006 and has taught Spanish at NC State since 2002. Jennifer is a teacher trainer and teaches the Context and Culture course and the Linguistics course for the NCSU TESOL Certificate Program and is the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) minor advisor. Her specialty is developing and implementing needs-based curriculum. 

Dr. Alison Turner has taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in a variety of contexts including community colleges and universities. She has also done teacher training for a number of years including in her work with the TESOL Certificate Program and the ESL Add-On Program. She specializes in working with teacher candidates to develop pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching strategies to engage learners. Dr. Turner is a member of the Carolina TESOL Executive Board.

Carolyn Quarterman has extensive teaching experience both in the US and abroad. She currently teaches oral communication skills and writing skills to international graduate students at Duke University and teaches the pronunciation class for the TESOL Certificate program at NC State. Carolyn also taught in Japan for more than seven years, in both academic and corporate environments.

Carolyn has an M.A. in TESOL from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her professional interests include using online resources and technology applications to enhance student learning. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exercising, reading, and outdoor activities.

Paula Wilder serves as the director of international programs at Greensboro College where she also teaches in the MA in TESOL program. She received her MA in TESOL from Greensboro College and her BA in English from Guilford College. Paula is an English Language Specialist and is currently working on a project in Vietnam, and in 2022, she worked with Sri Lankan university lecturers in Colombo and Jaffna. In addition, Paula teaches with NC State University in the Global Training Initiative, working with teachers and embassies around the world, with focus in Argentina, Colombia, and Azerbaijan and teaches in NCSU’s TESOL Certificate program. Paula served as the director/instructor of the CEA accredited English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program and Continuing Education for Non-Native English Speakers from 2014- 2024 where she created and implemented both programs and currently serves as a consultant for the program. She has also taught at Harvard University’s Institute of English Language. In her free time, Paula enjoys hiking, kayaking, yoga and gardening. She is an avid reader and enjoys all genres

• All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or currently be working on completing a bachelor’s degree. All applicants to the TESOL certificate program must send Kelly Royster a copy of their undergraduate transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 2.5 before being allowed to enroll. 
• Non-native speakers of English must provide a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (current within the last three years) of at least 100 with a minimum of 28 on the speaking section of the TOEFL or an 8 on the speaking part of International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Non-native speakers of English who have lived in the U.S. since the age of 8 and demonstrate native-like proficiency in all four skills may petition to have the TOEFL score requirement waived.

The TESOL Certificate program is not a North Carolina English as a Second Language (ESL) K-12 Teacher Licensure Program. The TESOL Certificate Program does not offer continuing education units (CEUs). If you are interested in getting K-12 certification, please visit NC State Online ESL Add-on Licensure Program page.

• The early bird registration price is $1,795, valid through noon ET on July 26, 2025. After the early bird deadline, the program costs $1,895.
• No refunds will be issued after seven days of class.

• To remain in the TESOL certificate program, all courses and individual coursework requirements within the program must be completed on the due dates posted on Moodle within the time frame of the course.
• Students are asked to notify the instructor immediately if extenuating circumstances, such as documented personal or family illness or a death in the family, should prevent them from completing or redoing an assignment before the course ends. Failure to complete all assignments within the time frame of the course and/or failure to attend the Saturday session will result in the student having to retake and pay for the course the next time it is offered.
• For personal/family or medical emergencies, students can be granted a leave of absence and continue the program the next semester it is offered as long as the reason for the leave is documented and sent to the program director within a month of the emergency.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will be grounds for dismissal from the program without a refund.

Check out the Funding Sources and Financial Assistance webpage to view your options. 

Contact the NC State Office of Professional Development at continuingeducation@ncsu.edu or 919.515.2261 with any questions or for more information about the TESOL Certificate program. 

For more information about multilingual programs at NC State, contact Kelly Royster by email at ksroyste@ncsu.edu.