Location:
Colorado School of English, Denver, Colorado
Learner Outcomes:
The Teaching English as a Second Language/Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate Program prepares participants to begin teaching English to adults in the United States and abroad. The intensive course provides in-class instruction, observation of professionally taught ESL classes, and classroom teaching experience. Upon completion of the course, teachers-in-training will be able to: identify language learning theories and teaching approaches in their components, engage students in learner-centered and communicative lessons, develop coherent and effective lesson plans, recite and use effective principles of classroom management, teach listening, speaking, pronunciation, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary, incorporate games, music, drama, TPR (Total Physical Response) and C.A.L.L. (Computer Assisted Language Learning) throughout lesson plans, identify issues and strategies of acculturation for teachers and students, develop a targeted job search and resume, and evaluate job offers and contracts.
Instruction:
The course provides a foundation in learning and language acquisition theories. It also includes instruction in classroom management and lesson planning, focusing on specific skills such as: reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Teachers-in-training learn how to handle error correction and how to incorporate games, drama, music, and other multi-sensory activities in the classroom. Other topics covered are: C.A.L.L. (Computer Assisted Language Learning), acculturation, evaluation and use of textbooks, error correction, testing and assessment, use of technology in the classroom, and career skills. Communicative methodologies, focusing on learner-centered practices are presented throughout the course and serve as a foundation for a guided student practicum, which includes a carefully devised curriculum and trainer observation/consultation to help the teacher-in-training improve his/her teaching. The four components of the course are: 90 hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of in-course teaching practicum, final examination and oral interview, and 20 hours of post-course practicum (student teaching, observations, and lesson planning). NOTE: To receive the certificate, as well as the credit recommendations, students must successfully complete the academic course work, including observations and the practicum. A separate certificate will be issued for the post-course practicum.
Credit recommendation:
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Introduction to English as a Second Language (1/11).
