The World Learning SIT TESOL Certificate program is a 130-hour ESL/EFL teacher-training course that provides participants with the practical skills and confidence they need to be successful in the language classroom. Our certificate is internationally recognized and it will enable you to teach at quality schools around the world.

World Learning has been a leader in the field of TESOL for more than 30 years and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its teacher training programs. The World Learning SIT TESOL Certificate is offered at centers in Asia, Australia, North and South America and Europe.

The International Language Institute (ILI) has been providing teacher training for more than 20 years. In 1999, ILI expanded its offerings to include the World Learning SIT TESOL Certificate program. We offer the course six times a year in downtown Northampton, one of the liveliest downtowns in New England.

Why Study with Us?

“The SIT TESOL certificate course was worth every penny (and every second). I found a supportive family at ILI that allowed me to really work on myself and allowed me to become a better teacher, as well as to know myself better. I consider myself lucky to have chosen ILI over any other TESOL program, having found an amazing family in my trainers and fellow participants.” (an August 2007 graduate)

Combining the international expertise and reputation of SIT with the first-rate teaching and international ambiance at ILI, the World Learning SIT TESOL Certificate in Northampton offers unique advantages:

• Worldwide recognition. SIT graduates are now teaching English throughout the world.
• Top trainers. ILI’s trainers are certified by SIT, have Master’s Degrees in Teaching ESOL or related fields, and bring a wealth of practical teaching and cross-cultural experience to the program. Our trainers have worked together for more than 15 years.
• An extremely rich cross-cultural environment. Our ESOL students come from all over the world. Many are immigrants, others are international students preparing for college or graduate school. All have their own, unique stories.
• Participants observe our classes in action. Our teachers let you into their classroom and you learn from observing them and their students. ILI teaches ESOL as well as French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
• Participants develop skills in teaching speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary and cultural awareness.
• Participants learn about specific teaching areas each day, and apply what they learn in their daily practice teaching of adult ESOL learners.
• Participants gain a foundation in reflective practice that will enable them to continue to grow as a teacher long after the program has finished.
• Fewer participants, more trainers. With only 12 participants and 2 trainers per program, you will receive lots of individual attention.
• Graduate support and job-placement assistance. You will have access to our alumni listserv with thousands of SIT graduates around the world. Exchange ideas with other graduates, get information on job opportunities and share your adventures teaching English!
• Student-visa assistance for international applicants.
• Host family option. Rent a private room within walking distance of the school (see “Housing” below).

Who Should Take this Program?

The program is for people who want to develop as a teacher of EFL (English as a Foreign Language, e.g. English taught in Italy) or ESOL (or ESL – English as a Second Language).

Prospective teachers: The course offers solid, practical, teaching techniques to ensure you enter the classroom with confidence.

Novice and Experienced teachers: Through a process of reflection, experienced teachers explore and critique their teaching, deepen their practice and principles, and implement positive changes in a supportive environment. They explore a wide range of teaching and classroom management techniques.

Non-native speakers: Non-native speakers can teach English! The course is open to anyone who can function fully in an English-speaking environment. Our trainers assess applicants’ English through an extensive oral interview and a written essay. We provide student-visa assistance.

2008 Four-Week Intensive Program Dates

The schedule for this program (including workshop sessions and practice teaching (real classes!) with ESOL students) is Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5:15 pm. There are no classes or meetings on the weekends.

October 27 - November 21, 2008
*Register by Oct. 10th

January 5-30, 2009
*Register by Dec. 22nd

February 23 - March 20
*Register by Feb. 9th

June 1-26, 2009
*Register by May 18th

August 3-28, 2009

*Register by July 21st

 

September 14-October 9, 2009

*Register by Aug. 31st

 

 

Program Fees

Program cost is $2,300, which includes a $300 non-refundable deposit required with your registration. The balance of fees is due one week before the beginning of the course. Click on this link to download a TESOL Application and an ILI Fact Sheet.

For more information:

Karine Roesch
TESOL Training Program Coordinator
Phone: (413) 586-7569 x107
Fax: (413) 586-8927
E-Mail: karine@ili.edu

 

Former participants have said the following about our TESOL Certificate program

• “You should definitely take this course if you are serious about learning to teach ESOL. It’s NOT a ‘workshop,’ it’s a full-blown year-long college course condensed into 19 days!”
• "Better than the CELTA, different, but less draconian and more practical." (Peter Putnam, August 2007 graduate)
• "The course was amazing! I learned more than I thought I could about teaching.”
• "These were the best 25 days of my life."
• “Best thing I've done in a long time. It was very challenging and at least as inspiring, rewarding, mind-opening."
• "I learn by doing, so this was the program for me.”
• “The teachers were tops, the curriculum complete and well organized.”
• “Be prepared to live, breathe and eat TESOL for 4 weeks.”

Refund Policy

If a participant decides not to attend a course to which s/he has been accepted, s/he may apply the $50 application fee and the $250 non-refundable deposit to another course within 6 months, provided SIT is able to fill his/her spot in the original course. If the candidate is not accepted or the course is cancelled due to low enrollment, the $250 deposit will be returned along with the $100 housing search fee. If a participant withdraws in the first two days of the program, s/he can receive half of the tuition payment back, minus the $250 non-refundable deposit and the $50 application fee. Non-native speakers who decide to withdraw from the course in the first two days due to language difficulties will also receive half their tuition back minus the non-refundable deposit and application fee. There will be no tuition refunded after the first two full days of the course.
If a participant must withdraw mid-course for serious medical reasons or because of a family emergency, and can provide a doctor’s certificate confirming the situation, s/he can re-enroll within 6 months without payment of further fees. There will be no refund.

Obtaining the World Learning SIT TESOL Certificate

Acceptance into the program is not a guarantee that a participant will receive the certificate. If a 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. Instead, s/he will be awarded a Letter of Learning.

If trainers determine that at non-native English speaker’s English skills are inadequate to teach advanced-level students, the participant will not be awarded a certificate. Instead, s/he will be awarded a Letter of Learning.

The Letter of Learning details each participant’s accomplishments in the course including a description of his/her ability to plan, implement and evaluate an effective ESOL lesson.

Housing

ILI can assist you in finding local accommodation. Rented rooms for $125 per week are within a short distance of the school. There is a $100 housing search fee for this service. If you need this service, please fill out the Housing application and send it in with your TESOL program application and deposit.

Program Trainers

Karine Roesch
Alexis Johnson
Caroline Gear

Please visit our Staff Info page for Trainer Bios.

 

 

ILI is accredited by  a member of  and

Copyright ©2008 by International Language Institute of Massachusetts, Inc. ­ All Rights Reserved.