1. You can teach in New York or abroad. |
The WL-SIT TESOL Certificate is the highest standard of entry-level TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. It is recognized throughout the world and also allows you to teach at any private sector language institution or organization in New York (together with a Bachelor Degree in any discipline). Many graduates of the TESOL Certificate choose to use their certificate to travel and live abroad, but many also prefer to stay in the local area or other cities in the U.S. and teach to the large number of English language students here. |
2. Job assistance is provided. |
This is provided during the course and throughout your career. Rennert regularly hires outstanding candidates from the TESOL certificate course; you will be connected to the SIT listserve to facilitate job networking throughout your career; you will also receive job updates via the alumni newsletter; upon completion of the course you will be provided with a comprehensive database of NYC schools and organizations that offer ESL classes; you will receive job information about other countries, including the insider scoop on many countries from teachers who have lived and worked there; you will also receive information about job websites and professional organizations to join; and you are given personalized assistance with your résumé. |
3. The course includes at least 6 hours of assessed practice teaching with real ESL students. |
Guided lesson planning, practice teaching and post-teaching feedback sessions are an integral part of the course. Some TESOL courses offer practice teaching with fellow course participants; however it is impossible to truly experience what it is like to teach language learners if you don't have experience with actual students. Some TESOL courses offer practicum that is not observed by a trainer or followed by feedback sessions. The post-teaching feedback sessions are some of the most valuable parts of the learning process in which participants have many 'a-ha' moments. |
4. The certificate is issued by the World Learning SIT Graduate Institute. |
SIT is a leading American university in the field of language education. SIT has developed groundbreaking, internationally recognized curricula and programs for organizations such as the Peace Corps, USAID, and the United Nations. |
5. The SIT course is directly based on experiential learning. |
In each module you will have hands-on experiences with the skills, lessons, teaching frameworks and teaching techniques ESOL teachers need. Using these experiences you are guided by the trainers to inductively discover the information you will then apply to your teaching. The small class sizes (maximum 6 participants per trainer) allow for optimal involvement in the learning process. There is less focus on learning language and more focus on learning how to teach language than other TESOL courses. |
6. The WL-SIT TESOL Certificate has a strong focus on reflective practice. |
More than any similar certification, the SIT program has a strong focus on developing reflective skills in the course participants. By the end of the course, in addition to having the basic skills and knowledge to become an effective teacher of ESOL, you will have developed skills that enable you to reflect on your lessons in terms of your students' learning. This means that you will finish the course/ start your new career in a strong position to continue to grow and develop professionally. |
7. You get the benefits of Rennert being a language school. |
While completing the course you will be surrounded by ESL students and teachers and have access to the full teachers' resource library in addition to the designated TESOL library. You are also able to observe experienced Rennert teachers before you sign up, during the course and any time after completing the course that you would like. Observing other teachers is a great learning opportunity for all teachers. |
8. You will have access to continuing Professional Development after the course. |
All alumni of the TESOL Certificate are encouraged to attend the free in-house Professional Development workshops that Rennert offers to its teachers. These are held every two weeks. As part of its teacher training program, Rennert also offers regular weekend grammar seminars. Many TESOL course participants are concerned about their existing knowledge. In response to this, Rennert offers a weekend overview of key aspects of English grammar. This optional seminar can be taken either before or after the TESOL Certificate course. All alumni also receive a bimonthly e-newsletter with teaching tips and ideas, personal updates, job updates and details of professional development sessions. |
9. The SIT course has at least 130 hours of face-to-face instruction. |
This is 10 hours more than most similar courses. This extra 10 hours allows the trainer(s) greater flexibility in responding to the needs of course participants and provides the course participants with additional instructional support. Some courses offer information on-line. There is no substitute for face-to-face interactive, hands-on workshops when learning about practical teaching skills. Courses shorter than 120 hours of instruction are not widely recognized as providing prospective teachers with the sufficient knowledge and skills that reputable schools require their teachers to have. |
10.Graduate credits are available. |
5 graduate credits are available from SIT. |
