TIE Program Welcomes New Korean English Teachers

More than 20 Korean English teachers are trying out the other side of the classroom — on the other side of the globe.

Thanks to a partnership with the International Teacher Training Institute, a group of Korean elementary and secondary teachers have the opportunity to continue their learning here at the College of Continuing and Professional Education as part of the TIE program. Along with fun activities like a campus tour and a visit to the Georgia Aquarium, the teachers took classes on everything from idioms to standardized testing.

Dongwan Jung, who hails from the Kyungnam Province, said the program has been helpful so far.

Dongwan is currently preparing for his practicum at Johns Creek High School. After two weeks of classes here, the Korean teachers transition to area high schools where they are paired with an American teacher to shadow throughout the school day.

“I think it’s a great idea to go to the real (American) school,” Jung said. “As learners, we can practice learning English. As teachers, we can see how American teachers teach, and we can learn from their methodologies. That is awesome. It will be a good reflection for our school system.”

That’s the end result of the exchange program: helping students back home in South Korea.

“That’s the whole goal,” said Lyn Cohen, Languages program manager. “Starting back in September, this program has hosted more than 50 Korean educators and administrators, and they in turn have the chance to impact hundreds of students. This is one of the great ways the college plugs in to the international learning community. We’re looking forward to hosting more exchange groups in the future.”

The teachers will receive an Advanced Writing Skills in English certificate from the College of Continuing and Professional Education at a special ceremony Thursday. The certificate, which focuses on written as well as spoken language proficiency, is one among more than 50 certificate programs available through the college.