Requirements

Requirements

For the requirements to join the TCSOL/TESOL Dual Certificate Program in Osaka, refer to the information below.

The following materials are required to apply to the program: 

  1. Application form 
  2. Statement of purpose
  3. Academic transcripts
  4. Proof of language proficiency (For non-native speakers only; please see the specific requirements below.)
  5. Two letters of recommendation
  6. Résumé/CV
  7. Receipt of application fee payment

Applicants should send all required application materials as attachments in a single email to ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp by the appropriate deadline. The only exceptions are the letters of recommendation, which should not be sent by applicants; instead, the references themselves should email their letters directly to ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp. 

 

Incomplete applications will NOT be considered for admission review.

All current students and graduates from Teachers College, Columbia University, and Barnard College are exempt from most application requirements, and are required to submit just the application form, statement of purpose, and receipt of application fee payment.

 

  1. TCSOL/TESOL Dual Certificate  Program Application Form

Download and complete the application form. If you have trouble accessing the form, please email ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp.

 

  1. Statement of Purpose

You must submit a personal statement of about 500 words, documenting your professional interests, goals, and reasons for applying to the TCSOL/TESOL Dual Certificate Program in Osaka. The personal statement may also include information on your education background and any prior experience in language teaching. For those whose native language is Chinese, the statement of purpose should be written in English; otherwise it should be written in Chinese.

 

  1. Academic Transcripts

Please submit all academic transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. If obtaining your academic transcripts is not feasible due to the length of time since graduation, please contact the CIFLTE team at ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp. 

Academic transcripts are waived for those who are Columbia University, Teachers College, or Barnard students or graduates.

 

  1. Proof of Language Proficiency

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you will have to submit proof of English language proficiency regardless of the track(s) you are applying for, as courses will be conducted largely or entirely in English.

  • OPTION A: English Language Proficiency Score Reports
    • Accepted tests: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL cBT, IELTS, TOEIC
    • Language score requirements: 
      • TOEFL iBT: 90
      • TOEFL cBT: 233
      • IELTS: 6.0
      • TOEIC: 700
    • In general, we ask that language scores be less than three years old. 
  • OPTION B: If you do not have an English proficiency test score, please contact the CIFLTE office at ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp to schedule an online interview via Zoom, which will determine if you are proficient enough to succeed in the program. You will be informed of your interview results within three business days following your interview.
  • EXEMPTION: This requirement may be waived for those who have received a bachelor’s/master's degree from an EMI (English-Medium Instruction) university OR who are currently enrolled in a master’s program at an EMI university. To request a waiver, please email a request to CIFLTE at ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp. Waiver not required for Teachers College, Columbia, or Barnard students or graduates, who are automatically exempt.

If you are a non-native speaker of Chinese applying to TCSOL or dual tracks, you will have to submit proof of Chinese language proficiency. 

  • OPTION A: Chinese Language Proficiency Score Reports 
    • In general, non-native speakers of Chinese must demonstrate proficiency at an HSK-5 level or higher. 
    • In general, we ask that language scores be less than three years old.
  • OPTION B: If you do not have a Chinese proficiency test score, please contact the CIFLTE office at ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp to schedule an online interview via Zoom, which will determine if you are proficient enough to succeed in the program. You will be informed of your interview results within three business days following your interview.
  • EXEMPTION: This requirement may be waived for those who have received a bachelor’s/master's degree from a CMI (Chinese-Medium Instruction) university OR who are currently enrolled in a master’s program at a CMI university. To request a waiver, please email a request to CIFLTE at ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp. 

 

  1. Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation that can attest to your personal strengths, academic merits, and overall ability to succeed in the program are required for your application. Referees should email their letters of recommendation directly to ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp rather than forwarding them to the applicant. It is highly recommended that you contact your referees early so as to allow them enough time to write and submit their letters of recommendation. However, please do not wait to submit your application materials if your references have not yet emailed their letters.

Letters of recommendation are waived for those who are Teachers College, Columbia University, or Barnard College students or graduates.

 

  1. Résumé/CV

Submit your most recent résumé or CV. 

This requirement is optional for those who are Teachers College, Columbia University, or Barnard College students or graduates.

 

  1. Application Fee

Your application is not considered complete until you have submitted your application fee.

 

The Early Bird Deadline is February  1, 2026; if you apply on or before this date, the application fee is $50. 

Applications submitted after this date but on or before the Priority Deadline of April 1, 2026, the fee is $80. 

For any applications submitted between March 2 and the Final Deadline of June 15, 2026, the fee is $100. 

 

Please email your payment receipt along with other application materials to ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp. Payment can be made by credit card here. Please do not hesitate to contact CIFLTE at ciflte.osaka@ogu.ac.jp should you encounter any problems in making the payment.

 

 

STEP 2: APPLICATION REVIEW AND DECISION NOTIFICATION

Applications will be reviewed only after all the required application materials are received and the application fee is submitted. To expedite the application process, you are advised to plan ahead and submit your application materials early. Once an application decision has been made, we will inform you of your application result via email.

 

 

STEP 3: ACCEPTING THE OFFER AND TUITION PAYMENT

To confirm your acceptance of the offer and hold your place in the program, a deposit of $1,000 is due within two weeks of receiving your acceptance letter.

 

Applicants who apply on or before May 1, 2026: 

Remaining tuition balance must be paid in full within one month of receiving your acceptance letter or by the program start date, whichever comes first. 

 

Applicants who apply after May 1, 2026: 

Remaining tuition balance must be paid in full within two weeks of receiving your acceptance letter or by the program start date, whichever comes first. 

 

The tuition payment, including the deposit, is non-refundable, unless the program is cancelled. A $100 late fee will be incurred for any late payments. 

 

To make a payment, please click here.

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