TESOL Reboots for 2016

For more than 15 years our TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program has trained students for opportunities locally and abroad. After graduating from our program, many individuals set off for a journey of a lifetime — experiencing adventure and travel and getting paid for it.

Recently, program manager Lyn Cohen announced a format change to the TESOL program that will roll out in January 2016. The enhanced platform is designed to provide a more well-rounded educational experience along with placing individuals in a better position for future opportunities.

“Our newly reformatted comprehensive course will expand your career options by learning in an interactive environment taught by instructors who all have a master’s education,” Lyn said. “Our quality training program focuses on the essential foundations to becoming a teacher of TESOL and TEFL. Hundreds of invaluable resources are provided within the course materials, now including an Externship for live practice in the ESL classroom.”

Part of the change, Lyn said, was inspired by the development of formal guidelines within the industry. Recently, Tesol.org, a leading association, published their guidelines for this type of TESOL teacher training programs.

“While we have always considered our TESOL Certificate program as a leader in content and delivery, we want to ensure we continue that role by meeting or exceeding any standards adopted in the industry,” Lyn said.

New Class Format Options

• TESOL Classroom Certificate with Externship
• TESOL Online Certificate with Externship
• TESOL Online Certificate without Externship

Course Modules Include

• Issues of Culture
• Elements of Linguistics; Application in the ESOL Classroom
• Methods and Materials for Teaching ESOL; Lesson Planning and Content
• Teaching Grammar; Strategies for Effective Learning
• Externship; Practical, Hands-on Experience in the Classroom

Financial aid options include VA Education Benefits, MyCAA, Continuing Education Loans and interest-free Payment Plans.

The program garners great appeal from a diverse group of individuals. Those who could potentially thrive in the program include:

• Recent college graduates looking for their first job
• Translators
• Anyone seeking a second or part-time career who has a passion to teach
• Instructors or trainers seeking additional teaching opportunities
• Au pairs
• Former government or military personnel and spouses
• Missionaries and volunteers

Train to teach locally or abroad
Earning your TESOL Certificate will open doors to a world of opportunities. Potential teaching options include locally in private schools, volunteering with immigration centers or church missions or tutoring in person or online.

A sampling of regions where former graduates have found job openings:

• China
• Japan
• Central and South America
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates
• Italy
• Spain
• France

Occupational Trends

• Greater demand for ESOL teachers is expected due to a growing number of individuals looking to learn or improve their English skills — especially in areas of the U.S. with high immigrant populations (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• ESOL teachers earn a median salary of $41,806, according to PayScale.com.

A Graduate Reflects
“The quality of the program is excellent,” said Juanita Austin, 2013 graduate.

“It’s a very professional environment. They are on point with the skills we needed to learn. They gave us an idea of the type of environment and atmosphere of dealing with different cultures, local or overseas. They gave us realistic situations of atmosphere and classrooms. The different topics kept us engaged.”

You Can Do It
Do you desire more adventure and travel in your life? How about getting paid for it? Earn your TESOL Certificate and begin your journey!