Formação de Professores de Inglês no Alumni

A formação dos professores é essencial no sucesso acadêmico dos alunos. Por isso, compartilho uma dica de curso de formação internacional de professores de inglês realizado no Alumni, em São Paulo. Seguem informações abaixo.

Selma

World Learning SIT TESOL Certificate Program at Alumni

• What is it?
The WL-SIT TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certificate Program is an intensive 130-hour course, which provides participants with practical knowledge and skills in teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL), as well as tools for reflection and growth in one’s work as a teacher. Participants who satisfactorily complete the requirements of the course receive certificates from the School for International Training (SIT), Brattleboro, VT, and USA. For further information on the course, which includes a section with Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the World Learning site (www.worldlearning.org). Once on the site, please click on “Professional and Continuing Education and Services” and then on “SIT TESOL Certificate Program."

• Who is it for?
People interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Although targeted at participants with little or no previous teaching experience, the course helps experienced professionals reflect on and effect changes in their current classroom practice. Since the course focuses on teaching methodology, not necessarily on language improvement, participants must demonstrate English proficiency (orally during the interview and in writing through their application essay) in order to take the course. Besides, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 or equivalent is required of non-native speakers of English.

Our goal is for participants to feel comfortable when participating in classroom discussions, when writing their reflective assignments, and when explaining grammar / vocabulary and correcting pronunciation while teaching their EFL learners. Former participants (both native and non-native speakers of the English language) have found it helpful to use any of the many grammar books available in the market to review structures and other topics before the course starts.
Please note that Alumni will only form groups with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 participants.

• Where?
The only place to offer the course in Brazil is Associação Alumni, a highly-reputed US-Brazil Binational center in São Paulo. The course is usually offered at our Jardins Branch, located at Rua Padre João Manuel 319. Tel. 55-11-3067-5322. The building is within walking distance from the Consolação subway station. Upon specific requests and depending on what individual needs are, Alumni can provide basic orientation to participants, but it is the responsibility of each individual to arrange flights, visas, housing, and payment in Brazilian currency (Reais).

• What´s the typical schedule? Intensive courses (January or July) run over a four-week period with classes all day long from 9 AM to 6 PM. Sessions are from Monday to Friday with occasional half-day sessions on Saturdays. Time outside the classroom is spent on reading, writing, and planning lessons. It is virtually impossible to be working during the course, even with private students. Extensive courses run over a four-month period. Sessions are all-day long on Fridays plus half-day sessions on Saturdays. Some of our former participants have worked part-time while taking the extensive course.

• How does it work? The program provides practical training through demonstrations, lesson planning, practice teaching, self-reflection, analysis, and feedback. Participants develop skills in teaching speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar and culture. During the program, participants (a) attend workshop sessions with trainers, (b) meet with course peers to plan lessons with trainers’ guidance, supervision and support, (c)teach EFL lessons to “volunteer” students recruited by Alumni, and (d)use their time outside the classroom to read articles, write essays, prepare materials for their teaching, etc.

• How are participants evaluated? Participants are evaluated on the basis of their lesson planning, teaching and analytical skills when reflecting on their classroom practice. At the end of the program, participants turn in a portfolio with evidence of their coursework and present a kit with their teaching tools. The course works on a pass-fail basis, with no grades allotted, but participants do receive a detailed evaluation letter signed by all course trainers. They also get a Certificate from SIT, mailed to Alumni about four weeks after the course ends. Participants meet individually with a trainer at different points in the course to review both strengths and areas that need improvement to ensure that teachers know exactly where they stand before the course finishes.

• How much is it?
The fee for this 130-hour program is R$ 3.877,00. If the course is an intensive one, full payment must be received before the end of the first week of the program. If the course is an extensive one, the first installment is due at registration and the remaining amount is spread out over the following months, but participants must finish paying for the program before the last session. Please note that Alumni does not offer discounts or scholarships for this program.

•How can I register or get more information?
By emailing fabio.carazzi@alumni.org.br, wagner@alumni.org.br or silvia@alumni.org.br