Sunbridge Institute of English "Courses and Resources for ESL Teachers and Students"

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

This is the certificate course that you should take if you are considering teaching overseas, are already a teacher looking for ideas, or to upgrade your knowledge about teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)

 

Hello!

My name is Dr. Robert Taylor.

I founded Sunbridge Institute of English almost eight years ago shortly after I developed this TESOL course. When I accepted a position to teach ESL overseas, one of the first things I heard was from other ESL teachers about how unprepared they were. Quite a few had accepted a teaching position without having any ESL training. Some people think that if you are a native English speaker, it means you are able to teach the language. Believe me, there's a lot more to it!

I developed this TESOL course based on my ESL studies and personal international teaching experiences. I wanted to help those teachers who were floundering due to lack of proper ESL training. Then I thought it would also be a very valuable course that would help aspiring new teachers to be well-prepared when they stepped in front of a class. I am gratified that the course has been so well-received and appreciated. Even experienced teachers tell me how much they learn from it.

"The methodologies, techniques and approaches to teaching English, as outlined in the Sunbridge Institute TESOL textbook, have proved a valuable resource to this teacher.  This course has allowed me to grow as an educator, and to provide more enjoyable and effective lessons to my students. Thank you Sunbridge Institute of English and Prof. Taylor."
~ Steven B., Bangkok , Thailand

What qualifications do you need in order to teach English overseas? Well, you should have a bachelor's degree. Now don't get me wrong, you can sometimes find overseas teaching jobs without a degree � but like anything else, the more education you have in the area you are interested in, the better your chances of finding employment. Makes sense, right? If you already have a state or provincial teaching license, that is an extra qualification that will help you as well. Some special types of schools require this.

"Hi Bob,
 Thanks for that bit of advice, and thanks for the course!  Here's an update for your archives. Since gaining the Sunbridge Certificate, I have applied for a number of jobs, all better than the one I hold at present, and was accepted for four of them. I finally decided to take a job at an international preschool that pays well. I know that I would not have been considered without the certificate. Thanks again,"
~Sue A., Bangkok , Thailand

Whether or not you have a BA, BSc, B Ed or other undergraduate degree, more and more schools are now asking for an ESL qualification . You will see ads asking for CELTA, TESOL, TEFL, or TESL. CELTA is a British qualification, preferred in Europe because they are closer to the source. CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. The other three acronyms are pretty well synonymous (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Teaching English as a Second Language and Teaching English as a Foreign Language).

Dear Dr. Taylor:

Let me thank you again for an interesting course. It covered a lot of ground but was easy to understand. I use the methodologies from the course that will help fill my objectives for a particular class. I feel that I have benefited from taking this TESOL course.

I am looking forward to receiving my certificate. Most schools here in China are only hiring teachers who have completed some sort of training course.

I will certainly recommend the Sunbridge course to any colleagues who are interested in improving their professional skills.

Regards,
Allen D, Xiamen , China

I think a good TESOL course is more valuable for a new teacher because it teaches a whole range of ESL methodologies, whereas CELTA teaches one � and that is for teaching adults. Most new teachers find themselves teaching in a regular school during the day and often moonlight after school with either private tutoring or in a language school. Language schools typically send teachers out to companies or provide extra English training for school-aged students. By the way, my TESOL course includes a lesson on CELTA.

Why do schools ask for a specific ESL qualification? They want to be sure that you have training in that area and will be able to step into a classroom as a well-prepared teacher. That is exactly what our course does � it gets you ready to teach. Unfortunately, as one of our graduates recently told me �Teacher's college did not prepare me for any of this!� You NEED an ESL qualification and, for my money, TESOL is the best one to get. It is an industry standard that is accepted worldwide and Sunbridge makes it easy to earn.

...I learned a lot about which lessons worked and how to improve them.  I also noticed that my student's English skills improved with her new confidence...
 ... I feel more self-assured and prepared as a teacher with my new techniques.  With more variety and motivating activities, English class is more satisfying for both the student and the instructor."
    ~ Melissa R., Khon Kaen , Thailand

What will you learn in my TESOL course? It will teach you more than 24 different ESL methodologies so that whether you are teaching K-12 levels (Kindergarten to grade 12), adults, tutoring special needs or specialty English classes, you will have a solid bank of methods, techniques and strategies to draw on. You will also learn about reinforcing your teaching, testing, measuring your effectiveness and preparing lesson plans. Schools need them, school boards want them and they will help you to keep on track � especially if you have multiple classes, which you will!

"Thank you for registering me for your TESOL course.  I found it very useful for me. It has taught me a lot.  It has also given me many fresh ideas as well as things to consider when I apply for another job.  I appreciate the useful pointers you have provided me.  Thank you again. I have recommended your course to many Canadians to take."
~ Margaret M, South Korea

In a nutshell, here is what you will learn:

The TESOL Course text is divided into four parts and 36 lessons.

Part One introduces the four essential language acquisition skills:

Listening	Reading
Writing	Speaking

 

Part Two gives you many methodologies, techniques, and approaches to teaching English as a Second or Foreign language.

- Communicative Approach - Sounds and Spelling - Phonics - Grammar Translation - Two languages together - Using Literature in the ESL Classroom - Content-based Learning - Audio-Lingual Response - British Method (CELTA - RSA Cambridge) - Audio-lingual Simultaneous Reading Feedback (ALSRF) - Dual Dialogue - Total Physical Response - Macrologue / Micrologue

- Word Frequency - Summary and Paraphrase - Interpretive Communication - Suggestopaedia - Community Language Learning - Whole Language Literacy Approach - Develop a story together / Never-Ending Story - Language Experience Approach - Video - Accelerated Grammar using VLIR - Using Humor in the ESL Classroom - Creative Genius - Using Music and Song

Part Three explores the explosive impact that computers and the Internet are having on language teaching and gives you many useful resources.

- Computer-Assisted Language Learning - Educational Games - The Internet – a Global Approach to ESL - Lesson Planning - Teacher-control vs. Student-control - Effective Learning Environment

Part Four is a valuable source of reference material and practical tips for teachers going abroad.

Assignments:  One written assignment is required for each 12 lessons.  A fourth assignment requires developing a five-day lesson plan on presenting one aspect of the English language.

As you can see, this is a very comprehensive course! Once you have mastered my course, you will discover that there are many ways to apply your new skills � classroom teaching, private tutoring, corporate training, ESP (English for Special Purposes such as Business, Technical, Legal or Medical English), college prep (TOEFL and TOEIC teaching) and homestay programs. My course can be the beginning of a new career in a foreign country or a whole new direction in your life. Existing teachers also use the course to upgrade their skills.

"I just loved the course!  I especially liked the last part where I got to apply my own creativity!"
~ Rose Marie G., Bangkok , Thailand

When I took my first ESL teaching course eight or nine years ago, it literally changed my life. I quickly received job offers from several Asian countries I was considering. Believe me, it is nice to feel wanted; to know that your skills and knowledge are appreciated somewhere in the world (though often they may not appear to be back home). Within weeks, I was on my way to Thailand where I then taught for eight years before returning to Canada this spring. In Thailand , an �ajarn' or teacher is highly respected. I went on to get my Masters, then Doctorate, which I doubt I would have done if I had not embarked on a teaching career. With those added credentials, I found myself being asked to teach online at several universities.

By the way, Sunbridge Institute of English is a registered institution in both Delaware, USA and Ontario, Canada. The Ministry of Education for Macau has even commented on how much material the course covers�how much knowledge it gives to new ESL teachers.

�Having previously taken a course that was mainly theory, yours was a refreshing change with many useful ideas and suggestions. Thanks again."
      ~   Linda M., Kelowna , British Columbia , Canada

Since developing this course, I have updated it three times. Like anything else, ESL teaching is constantly changing. Consider how the computer and the Internet have impacted on language learning. You will be amazed at the phenomenal amount of teaching material that is available to teachers � most of it absolutely free. More than any other type of profession, ESL teachers love to share their ideas and lesson plans with others. This will quickly become a huge resource for you.

"I´m happy to send you my four complete assignments about the TESOL COURSE.  It was sure very interesting studying with the Institute."
     ~ Angel A., Bogota , Columbia , SA

My TESOL course is online. You can register, study online or download the course text (in .pdf format) and access it offline, complete assignments and email them in � all right from your computer. I have tried to make it as easy as possible for you to take.

"It's been great to find your Institute and take your class this way.  Thanks for making it available for people in situations where we can take the course at home at our own pace". 

~ David S., Dover , Pennsylvania , USA

What is the tuition? Tuition is $325 USD. This is a small but truly important investment in your own continuing education that can pay you dividends for the rest of your life. You can pay this amount in full or split the tuition into two payments - the first when you register and the balance, plus a $10. admin. fee, when you complete the fourth and last assignment. You can pay by check/cheque (American vs British English is another thing you'll come up against as a teacher!) or major credit card.

The tuition is one of the lowest around and really delivers value for your investment. That is all you pay - nothing more. It includes access to the course materials, my personal feedback on your assignments, preparation and shipping of your certificate of completion by either UPS courier or EMS Special Delivery, depending where you are located.

BONUS: By completing our course, you automatically receive a $1,000 scholarship from Glengarry University towards a Master of Arts in Education/TESOL!

How long will it take me to complete the course? The course is based on a three-month/one term study period but if you have the time, you can probably complete it in several weeks. You can email your completed assignments back to us. This is an information course so the assignments are designed to test your knowledge of the material you have read. Sunbridge does not grade students but in the unlikely event that a student had trouble understanding the material, we would work with that student until we were satisfied that s/he had a good grasp of it.

When you complete the course, you receive a handsome certificate with a built-in transcript. Schools appreciate our certificate because it shows them exactly what you have learned. Some students accept positions overseas even before they complete our course. No problem...we will send your certificate to you wherever you are! We haven't lost one yet!

BONUS: Although Sunbridge is not a placement agency, we do have contacts with agents in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and other countries where there is a strong need for qualified ESL teachers. If you are interested in working in one of these countries, we'll gladly advise the agents of your interest. They will then contact you directly.

Whatever your goals are at this time, my TESOL course can help you to achieve them. I developed this course especially to help people just like you � people looking for something more, be it knowledge or a change in their life's direction. Register for my TESOL course and get started towards your goals today! Like me, you could be teaching in a foreign country within weeks! Click here to go to our registration form and started.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Taylor

Questions? Email me directly at [email protected]

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"There's no word in the language I revere more than 'teacher.' My heart sings when a kid refers to me as his teacher, and it always has. I've honored myself and the entire family of man by becoming a teacher."
--Pat Conroy, Prince of Tides

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