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Frequently Asked Questions |
1. What is the School for International Training (SIT)? 2. Why should I take the SIT TESOL Certificate course? 4. Is the course the same at all sites? 5. What kind of people take this course? 6. What are the entrance requirements? 7. What kind of job will I be able to get with this certificate? 8. Will SIT’s TESOL Certificate enable me to teach ESOL in U.S. public schools? 9. Can I get college credit for the course? 10. Can I get graduate credit for the course? 12. Does everyone who attends the course get a certificate? 13. What’s the difference between TESOL and TEFL? 14. Do I need to speak the language of the people I’ll be teaching? 15. How much money can I except to earn? 16. What is the TESOL/TEFL field like in terms of job opportunities? If you have any additional questions you would like answered,
The School for International Training (SIT), located in Brattleboro, Vermont, 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 the School is to enable participants to develop the skills, ¬ 2. 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 thirty six hours of classes to “real” ESOL students. Trainers observe your teaching and give practical advice after each session. There are many TEFL courses, TESL courses, and TESOL courses offered around the world; however, SIT’s method of empowering participants via reflective practice and experiential learning place this course apart from the rest. The SIT TESOL Certificate course is taught by two full-time trainers working in tandem. In most cases, the trainers will hold an MAT from the School for International Training. Trainers are experienced ESOL teachers who have worked with adult learners, and have previous training experience. 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. See John Kongsvik’s background!! 4. Is the course the same at all sites? All courses follow the same curriculum and are taught by SIT-trained trainers. 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 the course meets SIT standards, and assesses participant ability to meet course goals and requirements before certificates are awarded. 5. What kind of people take this course? 6. 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. 7. What kind of job will I be able to get with this certificate?
8. Will SITs 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. 9. Can I get college credit for the course?
10. Can I get graduate credit for taking the course? Participants may choose to pursue the option of five graduate credits to be awarded upon successful completion of the course. There is an additional $500 fee for these five credits. 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. Of the five graduate credits, up to two may be applied toward the Academic Year World Learning SIT Master of Arts in Teaching, and these would take the place of the two one-credit electives. It is not possible to apply any of the five credits toward the Summer World Learning SIT Master of Arts in Teaching. Yes. SIT certificate holders who enroll in any SIT master’s degree program will be given tuition reductions in the amount they paid to take the course. 12. 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 instead. To complete the certificate successfully, you must meet all the program requirements: 13. What’s the difference between TESOL and TEFL?
14. Do I need to speak the language of the people I’ll be teaching?
15. How much money can I except to earn?
16. What is the TESOL/TEFL field like in terms of job opportunities?
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