Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of this workshop? The workshop is an introduction to basic principles of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). It is designed to provide participants with an overview of major issues in the field of TESOL as well as hands-on experience with basic pedagogical skills needed to begin working effectively with English language learners in in the US and abroad.

Will I be able to get a job right after the workshop?
Jobs are available around the world for people with all levels of training. There are jobs you can obtain right after the workshop and others that would require additional training. We do not offer any job placement; however, we devote an entire session of the workshop to training and employment where we discuss these issues as well as show you where to find jobs at different levels.

Will the certificate be accepted by employers?
Employers vary greatly in the expectations that they have about training and experience. Some employers require little training or teaching experience while others may demand higher levels of training and greater teaching experience. The certificate you will receive upon meeting the workshop requirements will indicate that you have completed introductory training. If you plan to use this training to obtain a specific job, you may wish to check with potential employers to find out if this is the level of training they expect from job candidates.

Will I be certified to teach in other countries at the end of this workshop?
Certification in TESOL can be a muddy issue. There is no standard international certification for teaching English abroad. There is a wide variety of training at different levels for which one receives 'certificates'. These certificates indicate certain amounts of training. There are introductory courses like ours as well as more advanced courses which include 100+ hours of training. Beyond those courses, there are diploma programs and master's programs.

Will I be certified to teach ESL in public schools at the end of this workshop?
Teacher certification varies from state to state. It usually requires substantial coursework at the university level in addition to at least a bachelor's degree. Our intensive workshop does not lead to US teacher certification, though the training you receive in the workshop would certainly help you work effectively with English language learners of all ages (including K-12). Penn does offer a course of study for certified teachers who wish to obtain the ESL specialist credential. Current teachers who wish to gain more insight into working with English language learners are welcome to participate in the TESOL Workshop, though the workshop alone is not equivalent to the ESL specialist credential.

Can I teach in the US?
There are a number of private organizations (community centers, human resource departments, church groups, immigration support services, etc.) in the US which cater mostly to adult language learners. Like private teaching institutions abroad, these organizations have varying expectations about training and experience. There are job (and volunteer) opportunities in such organizations for people with different levels of training as well.