About the Program
The TESL certificate program is offered at Juniata College at the Universidad de Otavalo, Ecuador from February through August. Courses on Juniata's campus are scheduled on weekeends (the first coure is partially online) so that you may participate from afar. In June/July, you will travel to the Andean highlands of Ecuador for an intensive four-week learning experience. The TESL certificate program offers these unique learning opportunities:
- A teaching practicum with Ecuadorian English language learners
- Second language study (Spanish or Quichua)
- A homestay with a local Ecuadorian family
- Sharing ESL teaching practices with mentors and other participants
- Exploring the Andes - you will visit subtropical cloud forest, volcanic peaks, indigenous cultures and markets
All certificate courses offered in Ecuador are conducted in English. They provide an opportunity for reflection and a review of best practices currently applied to the ESL public school classroom. The weekend courses will establish a structure for future collaboration among teachers to continue professional development as they implement ESL teaching strategies in their classrooms and school districts. Read comments made by past program participants about their experiences during the Juniata TESL Program.
Pennsylvania ESL Program Specialist Certificate
Our program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's, Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation. Juniata's TESL certificate includes six courses and covers the competencies outlined by the state for the ESL Program Specialist certificate:
- English Usage and Language Awareness
- ESL Instruction, Methods and Materials
- Assessment and Support of Second Language Learners, Families and the Community
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
You may enroll in the program for credit or on a non-credit basis. Both options allow you to earn the ESL teaching certificate. After successful completion of the TESL program, certified teachers may request the endorsement from the PA Department of Education. To read more about Pennsylvania requirements for teaching ESL visit the Department of Education web site. Additionally, Juniata College and the Universidad de Otavalo award a "Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language Certificate" to all participants.
Note
Our program typically includes in-service teachers and pre-service Education majors. Because we offer intensive mentoring during the practice teaching experience, we accept a limited number of participants each year.