U California Irvine Launches Online Certificate Program in English Language Instruction
The University of California Irvine Extension is
launching an online certificate program designed to train teachers of English to
speakers of other languages.
The
certification program, which will begin this
spring with two courses, is designed to be a mix of theory and
practical
experience in second language instruction. It is expected to provide
core
knowledge of the field: aspects of linguistics and sociolinguistics,
English
structure, teaching methods, literacy development, curriculum
development and
language assessment.
The
target audience for the program will be recent
college graduates, international students, aspiring educators, career
changers
and current teachers interested in improving their skills.
The
new Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages (TESOL) program will be designed to allow students
to earn a
certificate in eight months.
Beginning
April 4, "Theories of TESOL" will teach
participants the language acquisition process and provide an
understanding of
language development. Launching May 9 will be "Teaching Reading and
Vocabulary
Skills," in which teachers can learn to help students develop reading
fluency
and comprehension skills.
To
follow are courses titled:
- Methods
of TESOL;
- Teaching
Listening and Speaking Skills;
- Teaching
English Grammar;
- Teaching
Writing and Vocabulary Skills; and
- Teaching
Practicum.
"Mastering
the English language can be a challenge
for non-native speakers," said Angela Jeantet, director of education
and
business program at UC Irvine Extension. "The TESOL program equips
teachers with
the skills and techniques to effectively teach non-English-speaking
students."
For
more information, visit the TESOL Web site or
call (949) 824-9427.
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.