TESOL Certificate
Teach English abroad or in the United States to children and Adults. SDUIS offers Hands-on TESOL certification.
On Campus TESOL Course:
Course Begins on the Mondays below:
May 14, 2012
or
August 13, 2012
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $699 for 6 weeks $60 textbook
Time: Monday – Thursday from 5:30pm-10:00pm
(Meets the student visa requirements for International Students)
Highlights
- Course covers all areas of English as a Second language teacher training.
- Appropriate for an international or native student.
- Work overseas or in the United States with this certificate.
- This course will spend 18 hours covering job placement and how to find a position as an ESL teacher in the United States or overseas. You will be given a number of tools to be successful in your new career.
- Course includes hand-on training.
Course Description
A certification program for the purpose of learning and understanding Teaching English as a Second Language. Course includes general teaching principles and techniques, philosophies, psychologies, troubleshooting, class preparation, focused learning, time management skills, and “hands-on” training credits obtained through a designated practice class.
- Students will learn how to find and apply for ESL employment in the United Stated and Abroad, as well as tips on the most successful ways to acquire job offers.
- A TESOL certificate is obtained upon successful completion of the course.
- This course is available for international and US residents.
TESOL Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), career opportunities for those working in adult and remedial education, including TESOL teachers, were forecast to increase at a faster-than-average rate in the decade spanning 2008-2018 (www.bls.gov). Greater demand for TESOL teachers was expected because of a growing number of men and women looking to learn the English language or improve their English skills, especially in areas of the United States with high immigrant populations.
Employment for elementary, middle and secondary school teachers in general was projected to rise at an average rate during the same time period, according to BLS figures. However, the need for TESOL teachers in particular was expected to be greater than average since the number of U.S. students who don’t speak English was predicted to continue to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions about TESOL
Q. What does TESOL mean? Is it different from ELT or TEFL?
A. There are many different acronyms associated with English Language Teaching (ELT), for example TESOLL and TESL, which are the two most commonly used. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) usually refers to the teaching of English to people in non-English-speaking countries, and TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) to the teaching of English to non-native speakers in English-speaking countries. The reason we use the term TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is because our courses are designed for students wishing to develop their knowledge and skills in both EFL and ESL contexts.
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and involves teaching English to non-native speakers. The acronym TESOL is also used by an American teachers’ association, the full name of which is “Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Incorporated”.
Q.Is it necessary to speak a foreign language?
A. In general, today’s communicative approach to teaching English requires that the teacher speak only in English. Speaking a foreign language is therefore of no particular value. Indeed, if you are teaching a class of students who have ten different mother tongues, as is not impossible, even your fluency in say three foreign languages would have little relevance. The ability, therefore, to speak a foreign language is not a requirement for teaching English. Having said that, some experience of learning and speaking a foreign language will help you understand language in general and how we learn it, as well as help you learn more about English—especially English grammar—itself. If you are teaching in a foreign country, some knowledge of that country’s language and culture can also make your life easier and enrich your experience.
Q. Are there any age limits for TESOL?
A. This depends very much on the country, the culture, the school, the type of students the school may have, the principal’s dogmas, and legal requirements. It can work both ways. Some schools actually prefer more mature teachers, especially if their clientele are mainly business people. Others consider—rightly or wrongly—that younger teachers are more “dynamic”. Some countries are so desperate for teachers that age is irrelevant. EFL teachers can be any age from 18 to 80, though it has to be said that it is more difficult to find employment under 21 and over 50. Also, some countries have compulsory retirement ages of around 60 or 65. But in general, don’t let the question of age put you off. With a good TESOL certificate, you will find employment somewhere.
Q. What if English is not my mother-tongue?
A. If you have a good TESOL certificate, not being a native speaker should not be a problem. One of the entrance requirements for any serious TESOL course is the ability to speak (and write) English fluently. Thus anyone—native- or non-native speaker—with a good TESOL certificate will be on a level footing. Non-native speakers who have not taken a serious TESOL course can still find employment, but may encounter resistance and will certainly need to demonstrate a very high degree of fluency.
Can I make a real career out of TESOL?
While many people who pursue TESOL careers choose to become teachers, there also are opportunities available for those seeking jobs outside the traditional classroom. Available positions might include:
Director or administrative staff for an English as a second language (ESL) program
Developer of English language materials with a private company
Academic adviser with an educational institution
Government agency adviser
Private language arts tutor
Administrative or teaching staff at an English language center
