1. What is World Learning, and what is the School for International Training?
World
Learning is a private, nonprofit international organization with both
academic and field project capabilities. Through its four program units
– School for International Training (SIT), World Learning for
International Development, World Learning for Business, and the
Experiment in International Living – World Learning is a leader in the
fields of sustainable development, teacher education, language
training, international exchange, study abroad, peacebuilding, and NGO
management.
The School for International Training, located in
Brattleboro, Vermont, is World Learning's accredited institution of
higher education. Established more than 40 years ago, SIT offers Master
of Arts degree programs in teaching, conflict transformation,
international education, social justice, intercultural relations,
sustainable development, intercultural service, leadership, and
management; and a Master of Science degree program in organizational
management. Also offered is a certificate and diploma program in NGO
leadership and management and more than fifty undergraduate-level study
abroad programs.
The mission of SIT is to enable participants to
develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and awareness needed to
contribute effectively to global understanding and world peace. SIT is
recognized nationally and internationally for its work in language
teacher education and has been educating learner-oriented and
culturally sensitive language teachers in its Master of Arts in
Teaching program for over thirty years. It has prepared over 2000
active professionals who are working in the field today making
significant contributions as classroom teachers, administrators or
consultants throughout the USA and in over 70 countries around the
world.
2. What is TESOL Training Costa Rica?
TESOL
Training Costa Rica (TTCR) is an education center located in a small
town near La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Currently TTCR offers the SIT TESOL
Certificate course, professional development workshops for English
teachers and places volunteer English teachers in rural communities.
3. Why should I take the SIT TESOL Certificate course?
The
SIT course provides practical ESOL teacher-training in which
participants develop skills in planning lessons and teaching speaking,
listening, reading, writing, grammar, and culture. The sessions are
highly interactive and experiential. The course includes planning
lessons and teaching twenty-four hours of classes to "real" ESOL
students. Trainers observe your teaching and give practical advice
after each session.
4. Who teaches the course?
SIT
TESOL Certificate course trainers are highly qualified, experienced
ESOL teachers who have worked with adult learners and have previous
training experience. They are licensed by SIT through a rigorous,
multi-step process and bring a strong passion and dedication to their
work.
The trainers teach the course content, process
discussions, coach participants in developing lesson plans and in
planning and teaching. They also observe participants' teaching and
provide feedback to participants after each teaching session.
5. Is the course in Costa Rica the same as the SIT courses at other sites?
All
courses are delivered by SIT-licensed trainers and focus on the same
content areas, teacher skills, and course outcomes. In addition, each
course is assessed by an evaluator who observes lesson planning and
practice teaching sessions. The evaluator reviews participants' written
work and collects direct feedback from course participants. The
evaluator ensures that SIT's high standards are upheld.
6. What kind of people take this course?
Participants
are a diverse group. Some are college-age students who are interested
in traveling and working overseas. There are also working professionals
preparing to enter TESOL as an alternative career or in retirement.
Non-native English speakers with strong English skills also take the
course so they can teach English in their own countries or elsewhere.
Many experienced teachers find the Certificate course a valuable
introduction to SIT's model of reflective practice.
7. What are the entrance requirements?
You
must have a high school degree and show a capacity for college-level
education including a good understanding of the English language and
solid writing skills. You must remain calm under pressure, be willing
to accept the authority of your trainers, commit to conveying a
difference of opinion in a respectful manner, and be willing to work as
a positive team player. All applicants must submit an application along
with a one-page essay as well as have an oral interview (which can be
done by phone) with the program manager. Non-native speakers need a
minimum TOEFL score of 550 for the written test or 213 for the
computerized version, or an IELTS Band 6.0 or higher. Non-native
speakers must also have a second interview to ensure their
listening/speaking skills are adequate to take the course and to teach
English. All participants must show a willingness to plan and teach in
groups and to work reflectively. Participants who attend the
Brattleboro course must fill out a medical form and have a doctor fill
out a portion of it as well. The doctor's portion of the form must be
based on a physical from within the past 12 months.
8. What kind of job will I be able to get with this certificate?
This
certificate can help you find an entry level position in a language
institute or an adult education program in Latin America, the United
States or overseas. If you hold a university degree and have residency
in Costa Rica you can also get a job in the public sector. Most
college and university teaching positions require you to have a
master's degree. SIT also offers a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree.
9. How will this course help me find a job?
During
the course there will be at least one session dedicated to the job
search and individual counseling is available. Graduates of the
course have access to our connections in Costa Rica and also to SIT's
alumni listserv which offers both a discussion and job information.
In
addition, SIT TESOL Certificate holders are invited to apply for
teaching jobs at the over 125 schools in the International House (IH)
network through IH London. Available positions can be accessed on-line
at www.ihworld.com/recruitment.
10. Will SIT’s TESOL Certificate enable me to teach ESOL in U.S. public schools?
The
SIT TESOL Certificate may qualify you for an aide position in a public
school ESOL program. However, to teach in the public schools in the
U.S. you need public school certification, a process which generally
involves an undergraduate degree followed by a period of full-time
student teaching in a public school under the direction of a veteran
teacher. Specific requirements vary from state to state.
11. Can I get college credit for the course? Are CEUs available?
Participants
at this site can petition any college or university to recognize the
course hours spent in the program and issue academic credit. If you are
interested in pursuing this option you should check with the
Registrar's Office at whatever college or university you are attending
or plan to attend. Twelve CEUs are available for an additional cost of
$300 to those who successfully complete the course.
12.
After I finish the certificate course, if, at a later date, I decide to
complete SIT's program leading to a Master of Arts with a concentration
in TESOL, is there any special financial aid available for certificate
alumni?
Yes. Any SIT TESOL Certificate holder who enrolls in
one of the SIT Master of Arts in Teaching degree programs will be given
a tuition reduction of $2,000.
13. Does everyone who attends the course get a certificate?
No.
Acceptance into the course is not a guarantee that you will receive the
certificate. If trainers feel that any participant has not successfully
completed or mastered any segment of the course, or has not completed
the written work satisfactorily, the participant will not be awarded
the certificate, but will be awarded a letter of course attendance and
learning instead. To complete the certificate successfully, you must
meet all the program requirements: 1) attend all the program sessions (allowances are made for absence due to emergency situations); 2) communicate effectively and fluently in written and oral English; 3) successfully meet the goals and objectives of the program; 4) successfully complete all the student teaching requirements and all program assignments. Trainers
in the course will meet with you to give you feedback on all aspects of
your work in the program. You will also do a self-assessment and a peer
assessment as part of your program.
For more information, please contact: TESOL Certificate
School for International Training Brattleboro, Vermont 05302-0676 Tel: 802-258-3310 Fax: 802-258-3316 Email: tesolcert@sit.edu
