This fall, Harper College will offer a new certificate program to prepare people to teach English to non-English speakers. Associate Professor Alina Pajtek recently answered questions about the new TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate.
What is TESOL?
TESOL, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is a very exciting and
rewarding field in which people can make a difference by helping others. As a TESOL
teacher, you can help immigrants learn English, work with people of different cultures
in a study abroad program, or travel to other countries to teach English.
Why is Harper College offering this new certificate?
Because of our global economy, in which English is so important, there is a high demand
both here in the United States and internationally for speakers of other languages
to become competent in English. Students of different backgrounds as well as people
in the workplace require more and more fluency in English. This certificate addresses
this need by providing Harper students and the community with training opportunities
to become teachers of English to speakers of other languages.
Who should consider earning this certificate?
This certificate is entry-level, so it is for anyone interested in becoming a teacher
of English to speakers of other languages--current Harper College students, people
who want to change careers or are looking for a second career, retirees, and other
members of the community. TESOL certificate graduates can expect to find jobs in the
US as ESL tutors or instructors in non-profit organizations, libraries or study abroad
programs. They would also qualify for jobs abroad teaching English to Speakers of
Other Languages.
How will this certificate prepare students for a new career or help them with an
existing one?
The TESOL Certificate offers both hands-on and theoretical training necessary to teach
English to Speakers of Other Languages in both domestic and international contexts.
This certificate includes course work and hands-on experience in theoretical Linguistics,
language and culture, English as a Second Language teaching methods, and depending
on students’ choices of elective courses, in other areas such as Humanities, Education,
Anthropology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Literature. Through the Practicum, one of
our required courses, students will gain classroom experience in Teaching English
to Speakers of Other Languages. Some of the activities that our students will engage
in are: observing ESL classes, planning and teaching lessons, writing a teaching philosophy,
discussing lessons with their Practicum coordinator, and reflecting on the qualities
of good ESL teachers.
How long will it take me to earn this certificate?
Since this is only a 16 credit certificate, students can complete everything in one
year, part time. If students have had Education or Linguistics courses before, they
can begin the program at any time; if not, we recommend that students start in the
fall semester with LNG 105 and with category B courses (Education or Early Childhood
Education).
Do the courses in this certificate program transfer?
Yes, all classes in the certificate program (except the one-credit LNG 229: Practicum
for TESOL Certificate) transfer to other colleges and universities. Three required
courses (LNG 105, 205 and 220) can also be used towards the ESL Endorsement for teachers
in the state of Illinois. Also, all coursework in the certificate can be used for
the associate of arts degree. In fact, students could work on both at the same time
and earn credit for both the certificate and the AA degree. Also, many of the courses
required by the TESOL certificate also count towards Harper’s Distinction in International
Perspectives. Lastly, students who pursue this certificate and plan to transfer would
have the opportunity to continue working in TESOL in their future undergraduate and
graduate programs of choice.
What else should I know about this new program?
While the TESOL certificate is a new program, the ESL and Linguistics Department at
Harper is well-established within the College community through its affordable, high-quality
programs. Additionally:
For more information on earning the TESOL certificate, contact Professor Alina Pajtek at 847.925.6670 or via email.
