SIT TESOL Certificate FAQs
Getting TESOL Certified is critical to having a satisfying experience teaching English overseas. Below you will find more than 'just the faqs' to our TESOL Certificate course. You will also find links to informative blogs and websites that will help you determine if taking this TESOL Certification Program is right for you.
1. What is the School for International Training?
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, 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. 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.
3. Who teaches the course?
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.
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?
Participants are a diverse group. Many 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.
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.
7. 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 the United States or overseas. Most college and university teaching positions, however, require you to have a master’s degree. SIT also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching degree As a graduate of the program, you will have access to information about ESOL teaching positions worldwide through SIT’s Professional Development Resource Center, located on SIT’s Brattleboro campus.
8. 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.
9. Can I get college credit for 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.
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.
11. After I finish the certificate course, if I decide to complete SIT’s program leading to a MA TESOL, is there any special financial aid available for certificate alumni?
Yes. SIT certificate holders who enroll in any SIT master’s degree program will be given tuition reductions in the amount 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:
- attend all the program sessions (allowances are made for emergency situations);
- communicate effectively and fluently in written and oral English;
- successfully meet the goals and objectives of the program;
- successfully complete all the student teaching requirements and all program assignments.
13. What’s the difference between TESOL and TEFL?
TEFL stands for " Teaching English as a foreign language". TESL stands for “Teaching English as a Second Language”. TESOL is an umbrella over the previous two covering any student that is not a native speaker of English. It stands for " Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages". It is more common in North America and large state sector colleges in Britain. Because of this, TESOL is the most commonly requested certification on job postings.
14. Do I need to speak the language of the people I’ll be teaching?
No, you do not need to speak the learners’ languages. Though you certainly are granted the opportunity to learn other languages, many schools prefer you to use the target language {English}. There are many solid reasons for this. First and foremost, if you’re speaking their language, who’s getting the practice. Secondly, for many learners, the only chance they have to practice speaking and listening to English is with you in class.
15. How much money can I except to earn?
As with anything, you’ll need to look at the whole picture to get a good idea of what kind of lifestyle you’ll be able to lead. First, note how much you are earning versus the amount of time you teach. A full teaching load is between 20 and 25 hours per week. Secondly, note the cost of living. How much money will you need to spend on rent, food, etcetera? Thirdly, consider the perks of the position. Is your airfare being reimbursed? Is your housing subsidized? Do you receive an end of contract bonus? For more information on this click here! Because salaries are so relative, it’s a good idea to consider how much you’ll be able to save rather than how much you’ll be earning.
16. What is the TESOL/TEFL field like in terms of job opportunities?
The opportunities for individuals with a TESOL certification or a TEFL certification are boundless. Check our our employment page to get an idea of what is out there You’ll find tons of links to websites that offer information on overseas jobs, teaching English abroad, and other TESOL related documents.