FAQ
Juniata College has enjoyed an active student exchange with universities in Ecuador for the past 15 years. In our program you will learn how to communicate with English language learners, build awareness of language learning processes, and apply them in the classroom. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the program.
Questions
- Must I take the program for credit in order to get approved for the ESL Program Specialist Certificate that will allow me to teach ESL in Pennsylvania’s public schools?
- If I take the program for credit, may I use these credits toward an Instructional II certificate?
- What will the ESL Certificate program allow me to do in PA public schools?
- Can teachers who have completed prior coursework in TESL substitute a course for one in the Juniata ESL Certificate Program?
- What is the framework for the on-line Linguistics course?
- Do I need to speak Spanish in order to complete the field program in Ecuador?
- How old will the Ecuadorian students we observe and teach be?
- What will the experience of living with a local family be like?
- Will I have time to travel to other parts of Ecuador?
- If I apply, what are the chances that I will not be accepted?
Answers
- Must I take the program for credit in order to get approved for the ESL Program Specialist Certificate that will allow me to teach ESL in Pennsylvania’s public schools?
No, you may take the courses for Juniata credit (undergraduate) or non-credit and still receive a letter indicating that you have satisfied the requirements for the Pennsylvania ESL Program Specialist certificate.
- If I take the program for credit, may I use these credits toward an Instructional II certificate?
The full ESL Certificate program is 12 credits. Yes, you may use these credits toward the requirement of additional credits for the Instructional II certificate. You will also earn Act 48 hours by completing the program (either on a credit or non-credit basis).
- What will the ESL Certificate program allow me to do in PA public schools?
Every school district in the commonwealth must have an ESL teacher on staff holding the ESL Program Specialist Certificate. Juniata’s TESL program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as an approved ESL teacher training provider. Only Pennsylvania school districts can apply for the Program Specialist: ESL certificate on behalf of their ESL teachers. In order to qualify for the certificate, a teacher must have an Instructional I or II certificate.
- Can teachers who have completed prior coursework in TESL substitute a course for one in the Juniata ESL Certificate Program?
Juniata will evaluate previously completed coursework on a case by case basis. Please submit a request to Juniata to waive the particular course for which you may have already completed equivalent work and send a course description and/or syllabus for our review. Because of the experiential nature of the field-based program, we cannot exempt participants from enrolling in the two courses offered during the four weeks in Ecuador.
- What is the framework for the on-line Linguistics course?
You will be mailed information in early February with instruction on how to log on to the Blackboard system to access the online course. You will need Internet access and a web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape or another browser). There is a pre-course module that you will be expected to complete online before the face to face sessions in February at Juniata College. A textbook will be assigned for the course that will include weekly course assignments and reading. Other course activities will include a journal writing activity and participation on an online discussion board as well as other learning tasks. The work for this course will continue until April.
- Do I need to speak Spanish in order to complete the field program in Ecuador?
No, Spanish language proficiency is not required for the program. All certificate program courses will be conducted in English. A practicum for the Understanding Language Acquisition & Cognition course will include Spanish language instruction for participants. The amount of time in language classes will be minimal. The intent of the language study (and cultural immersion) is to experience the process of second language learning, analyze your experiences as you move through the process and consider how it might apply to the situation of your ESL students.
- How old will the Ecuadorian students we observe and teach be?
At the University of Otavalo, a short-term English language “minischool” will be offered to young people of both elementary and secondary ages. There will be several classes based on age and language proficiency. This will be an after-school program for the local children taught by experienced ESL teachers. You will have the opportunity to observe several classes, discuss what you see and then you will be guided in practice teaching during the second through fourth weeks of the program.
- What will the experience of living with a local family be like?
We will place one participant per local family and meals will be offered by the family in the home setting. Our on-site coordinator will select and orient families to prepare for this experience. Before our arrival, the families will undergo training to raise awareness of cross-cultural issues and the academic demands for participants in the program. In general, the families will not speak English. The community of Otavalo is small enough that participants will be able to walk to the university from the family’s home. The experience of hosting an international visitor will be a source of pride and prestige for the local families.
- Will I have time to travel to other parts of Ecuador?
Due to the academic demands of the program, there will not be time during the four weeks of classes for extended travel to other regions of Ecuador. There will be time for nearby excursions on weekends and the area around Otavalo offers many interesting one-day travel possibilities. Our local on-site coordinator will be able to offer assistance with travel destinations and any special travel requests after (or before) the courses are completed.
- If I apply, what are the chances that I will not be accepted?
We can accept a maximum of only 18 participants for the field-based portion of the program because of the logistics of practice teaching and international travel. (We are able to accept larger numbers for the other courses on Juniata’s campus.) We will accept candidates on a first come, first served basis. If we receive more applications than spaces, we will give priority to those who intend to complete the entire program at Juniata.