Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Course Details: The Center for Language Education & Development

FALL 2011 COURSE DATES

TEFL Online: August 8 – December 16

Trainees will log in up to 3 times a week to interact with their instructor and classmates, and complete assignments. Trainees will also visit schools in their location for class observations. On Saturday August 13, trainees are invited to meet each other and their instructor at Georgetown University. This session is optional.

TEFL Practicum: 5 Saturdays (November 5, 12, 19 and December 3, 10)

Trainees must attend all 5 days of the TEFL Practicum.

Graduation event: Monday December 19, 5:30 pm.



COURSE STRUCTURE

Online: Daily instruction online with daily assignments which can be submitted at the end of each week.

• Lectures:        Posted online for the week
• Readings:      Textbook chapters and articles assigned each week
• Tasks:             Small group activities, observation reports, projects, and lesson-                    planning exercises submitted via the Internet                
• Discussions:  Theories analyzed and reviewed on discussion board or chat line
• Homework:     Submitted via the Internet by posted deadlines

Practicum: Full-time intensive 5-day course.

• Methodology sessions
• Teaching observations
• Practice teaching
• Feedback sessions

COURSE TOPICS

• Teaching Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Pronunciation
• Using a communicative, student-centered approach to teaching
• Planning cohesive lessons with clear goals and varied activities
• Making effective use of the textbook
• Developing materials to complement textbooks and textbook comparisons
• Using authentic materials and tools
• Combining traditional and contemporary teaching skills and resources
• Practicing error-correction techniques
• Assessing student achievement

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of TEFL Online
• Successful completion of TEFL Practicum
  • Preparation of lesson plans for teaching
  • Successful teaching of final individual lesson
  • Completion of one materials development project
  • Compilation of professional portfolio

TEXTBOOKS 

• Estimated textbook cost: $150
• Participants are to purchase their own textbooks in time for the first week of class.
• Textbook titles will be provided when participants are notified of selection for the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the GU-TEFL course compare with the other TEFL courses available?

Is this an accredited course?

How many hours a week should I expect to spend on this course?

Do I have to be available during specific hours for the online course?

What kind of computer equipment do I need for the online course?

I have no experience in the field of TEFL. Is this course suitable for me?

Is the GU-TEFL class culturally diverse?

My goal is to eventually attain a Masters in TEFL. Is this course suitable for me?

Where can I teach English with the GU-TEFL Certificate?

Is this certificate equivalent to certification to teach in public schools?

Will Georgetown University help me secure a teaching job after the program?

What is in the teaching portfolio?

What is Communicative Language Teaching?

What is the difference between ESL, EFL, and ESOL?

How does the GU-TEFL course compare with the other TEFL courses available?
A: Most TEFL courses provide 120 or fewer hours of instruction, and are either online or on-site. The GU-TEFL course offers 240 hours instruction time with our expert instructors, and includes the advantages of both online and in-person classes. The combination of the online instruction and a face-to-face live practicum ensures that trainees receive all the elements of a comprehensive TEFL certificate. Additionally, TEFL Online is a required course in GU's Master of Arts in Teaching (MA-TESL) program.

Is this an accredited course?
A: Georgetown University is not only accredited, it was recently named among the Best Colleges by the Princeton Review.

How many hours a week should I expect to spend on this course?
A: During the online portion of the program, trainees can expect to spend 12 hours a week on assigned readings, homework, and contributions to the discussion board. During the one-week practicum, trainees can expect to spend approximately 7 hours a day in class, between lessons, lesson planning, and teaching.

Do I have to be available during specific hours for the online course?
A: No. As long as you meet the instructor’s assignment deadlines, you can do the coursework any time during the week. The only specific times you need to be available are for online meetings that you set up with your instructor. These would be at times that are convenient to you both.

What kind of computer equipment do I need for the online course?
A: You will need a computer with a fast and reliable Internet connection, MS Office-compatible software installed, Windows Media or comparable audio-visual program installed, and ability and permission to download programs from the Internet. You would also need a set of headphones that can be plugged into your computer.

I have no experience in the field of TEFL. Is this course suitable for me?
A: Yes. If you have strong English skills and a desire to teach, this is the perfect course to gain the foundation skills and confidence you will need for your new career.

Is the GU-TEFL class culturally diverse?
A. Yes. In the past few years alone, we have had representatives from Belgium, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Turkey, and the U.S. Trainees have plenty of opportunities to learn about each other’s cultures and classroom expectations.

My goal is to eventually attain a Masters in TEFL. Is this course suitable for me?
A: Yes. In fact, since TEFL Online is a required course in GU's Master of Arts in Teaching (MA-TESL) program, you will have a chance to experience Masters-level study.

Where can I teach English with the GU-TEFL Certificate?
A: In the U.S., you could seek teaching positions at adult education centers, community colleges, and private language schools. Overseas, you could consider teaching at all of the above as well as English programs in some public schools. Recent TEFL graduates have attained positions at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, The College of St. Elizabeth, Georgetown Preparatory School and Lado College. Others provide private tutoring for international executives.

Is this certificate equivalent to certification to teach in U.S. public schools?
A: No. U.S. public school systems vary in the requirements for ESL teachers but most require a specialized K-12 certificate or endorsement.

Will Georgetown University help me secure a teaching job after the program?
A: No, but equipped with the GU-TEFL Certificate and a teaching portfolio, each graduate is in a strong position to enter the job market that he or she chooses.

What is in the teaching portfolio?
A: A complete teaching portfolio will include a description of your teaching philosophy, a video of you teaching a class, sample lesson plans and instructional materials projects, and support letters from your GU-TEFL instructors. Graduates will be able to provide either an electronic or a hard copy version of the portfolio, depending on the preference of the prospective employer.

What is Communicative Language Teaching?
A: Communicative Language Teaching is an established and highly-regarded approach in which students learn a language by using it in authentic situations. Students learn not through memorization and drills but by actively using the language to perform everyday functions.

What is the difference between ESL, EFL, and ESOL?
A: These three terms are often used interchangeably. ESL stands for English as a Second Language, EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language, and ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. For more detailed descriptions of these and other common acronyms, click here.