Level-appropriate songs for beginning adult ELLs

This is the PDF for a presentation on using level-appropriate songs for beginner adult English language learners that I gave at CATESOL's Regional Conference at University of Southern California on March 2, 2013.

Click here to access the file.
For best viewing and navigating results, download the file from Google Docs as a PDF and view with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Reputable TESOL Certificate programs

I frequently get emails from people who want to find respectable TESOL training programs.  Because TESOL certificates vary widely in quality, it can be difficult for employers to gauge their quality. If you're looking to get TESOL certification, you'll first want to decide which type of program you're interested in.  While there's a variety of training programs available, the following are what I would deem 'most reputable' (in order - the first being most reputable.)

1.  University-based program for credit. Getting a TESOL certificate from an accredited university will be the most  broadly accepted and respected program.  You would find the programs by searching universities near you - look in the linguistics, education, or English department for TESOL programs.

• Advantages: Name recognition, qualified instructors, classroom experience
• Disadvantages: More expensive, longer

2. Regional training programs from reputable institutions. Oxford and Cambridge are BY FAR the most respected names in TESOL, so anything sponsored by these organizations will be seen more favorably than some of the no-name programs.  This doesn't necessarily mean they're better in quality, just that they do have name recognition.

• Advantages: Quick, local, inexpensive
• Disadvantages: Training not as in depth, may not provide classroom experience

3.  Online training programs. Until you enroll in this type of course, it's hard to know the quality.  In addition, online education is still developing and establishing itself.  There may come a day when it is highly regarded, but for the time being, it's still viewed by many as a 'lesser' quality degree.  In a practical sense, teacher training is more effective when modeled in person, something that simply can't happen online.  You can find these types programs by googling "TESOL Certificate Programs".  I can't recommend any specific programs as I don't have personal experience with any.

• Advantages:  time flexibility, often less expensive
• Disadvantages: quality, reputation unknown, lack of face-to-face interaction for teacher training

The pros and cons of online TESOL training

Online TESOL training is growing in popularity, and I get many inquiries about what is the 'best' training program. In the article An online or onsite TESOL course...which is best?, Mich King lists a variety benefits of the online vs. onside program offered by INTESOL, a training organization in Europe (see table below).

While I am not against online education (and think King offers some great support for online education), I do believe it needs to be seen for its strengths AND limitations.  Since I direct an onsite training program, I thought I'd attempt provide a fuller picture for those considering teacher training by outlining the advantages to doing an onsite TESOL course.

Advantages to an online TESOL Course (M. King)	Some things to consider	Advantages to an onsite TESOL course
You have the chance to gain a recognised professional qualification at a lower cost.	‘Recognised’ is not a given – even if the sponsoring company advertises this.  Reputable employers are often looking for training programs that providereal-life classroom experience – not just book knowledge.	You develop a personal, not virtual, relationship with people who then become future colleagues and sources for references.
You can work at home in your own time without having to give up work, or take time off.	Are you a self-motivated, disciplined person?  While the flexibility of working at home sounds great, it’s a disaster if you don’t have the personal initiative to finish a course.	Being present classes holds you accountable and provides a set work schedule and deadlines.  Some people work better with this structure.
You have the option to work whilst studying. You can even start your first teaching job during your course!	This is not an exclusive option for online courses only.  Also, working while studying = NO LIFE.  Are you ok with this reality? (You may have to be if money is tight!)	Many onsite courses also allow for this option as they accommodate people who work full-time with evening and weekend classes.
You save money and time by not having to find accommodation or travel to a College every day.	Very valid.  Money/time aren’t always as flexible as we’d like them to be!!!  If this money & time are non-negotiable, an online degree is better than nothing.	Keep in mind that onsite degrees (depending on the host institution) are usually more reputable for now (I could see this changing as on-line education gets more established and regulated).  If it is truly a matter of money, it’s also important to consider if you’re getting a degree that will qualify you to get the kind of job you’re looking for.
If you want some observed teaching practice you can spend a week doing this when you finish your course, at a time that is convenient for you.	This is not documented by the program itself – sometimes employers request institutional documentation of classroom hours and observation on your own time may not count.  In addition, if you don’t have contacts with ESL teachers, it may be hard to find.	Quality onsite programs should provide you with in-class observations and experience.  On the ground, instructors usually have contacts in local communities where students in training can observe.
You can take as long as you like to complete an online TESOL or TEFL Certificate, allowing you to fit the course around your life, rather than your life around the course.	If you’re a disciplined, hard worker, this is truly a great option.  If you tend to start things and never finish them, don’t let this line of thinking suck you in!  You’ll be better off putting in the focus and work in an environment that holds you accountable.	A set schedule can be a benefit, if you are the type of person who works best with parameters set by other people.

TESOL organization offers online certificate

The Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) organization has just started an online training program.  While many online certificate programs are unpredictable in quality and reputation, the TESOL organization carries an excellent international reputation, and I would foresee it being more reputable than other online certificates (though I still hold that face-to-face courses are most effective).  However, if face-to-face courses are not an option for you, TESOL program looks like a valid option for training.

The Business of Language

Bill Fisher, the CEO of EF Englishtown, talks about the prospects of teaching English around the world.  His organization is the largest English teaching company in the world.  His interview with FOX news is very insightful about ESL job prospects around the world!

Differences among TESOL related masters degrees

Determining which type of program to pursue for TESOL qualifications isn’t as simple as one might think.  English language teachers come from a variety of training backgrounds – all valid and useful for their specific purpose, but quite varied in actual training courses.  Before pursuing training, it’s important to determine what type of job you are most interested in to identify the type of degree you’ll seek.  Each of the degrees described below provides English teaching qualifications, but for different contexts and settings.

	Applied Linguistics	MATESOL	M.Ed. / MAT
Audience	Those who want to use linguistics in a practical way	Those who desire to specifically teach English around the world	Those who seek teacher certification in the US
Sample Courses	Linguistic theory:Semantics Morphology Phonetics/phonology Syntax Language: First language acquisition Second language acquisition Psycholinguistics Teaching: Bilingualism Literacy Methods Materials	Linguistic Theory:Sociolinguistics Phonology Language: Second Language acquisition Structure of English Language analysis Teaching: Assessment Curriculum design Methods Materials Assessment Teaching pronunciation	Linguistic Theory:Linguistics for ESL teachers Intro to linguistics Language: Bilingualism Second Language acquisition Teaching: Multicultural education Methods Materials Assessment of language learners Literacy for language learners Technology in the classroom
Specializations	Language teaching Bilingualism/multilingualism Literacy Language acquisition Language planning and policy Pragmatics Translation	English for specific purposes English for academic purposes	Elementary Secondary Content  based (e.g. math, science)
Professional Organizations	Center for Applied Linguistics(CAL)  American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)	Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages(TESOL) International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)	Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages(TESOL)  National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)
The rundown	Masters in Applied Linguistics are best suited for those who want to study linguistics as well as teach English in a non-public education (US) setting.  The degree can also be used in other types of linguistic careers.	MATESOL degrees are best suited for those who want to teach English as a career.  Typically, jobs in intensive English programs at the university level and the better international jobs hire only candidates with an MATESOL.	M.Ed./ESL degrees are specifically for certification to teach ESL in American public schools.  Regardless of degree/experience, if a candidate does not have ESL certification of some sort, a school system will not hire them as a full teacher (though in high need areas, provisional licensures may be given.)

Overview of TESOL Certificate Programs

Certificates vary widely in quality and degree. You can get a TESOL certificate online or in class. You can get them from a well-known organization such as Cambridge or Oxford or from very local or purpose specific organizations (such as churches training for their mission or literacy organizations training for tutoring). The challenge is that there is no regulation of quality in TESOL certificates apart from institutional reputation.

Types of programs:

• Online training programs lack the crucial component of face-to-face and classroom experience. While a lot can be learned well on line, the actual interpersonal skills of being in front of and executing a classroom cannot.
• I much highly favor hybrid training programs that are partially online, partially in person. These can often work well with teacher schedules as the in person component is scheduled during holidays. I’m not at all against on-line learning – in fact, I think there are times when you can actually learn MORE online – but for certain courses, face to face experience is a must.
• University based programs tend to be more reputable when they are attached to accredited institutions. A for-credit university course certainly has the ability to cover more content than a weekend seminar that also offers a certificate program. It also carries the name/reputation of the university from which it comes (which can be good or bad, depending on the university).
• I’m not very familiar with for-profit training programs such as Oxford Seminars or AmericanTESOL Institute, though reviews are pretty unfavorable because they lack classroom experience.

Region specific qualifications

• Without a degree, it may be difficult to get into some parts of the Middle East and Asia.
• European countries typically require CELTA Certification.
• South America, Central, Africa and more developing countries will have looser qualifications.
• In the US, a TESOL certificate is more likely to qualify one for part-time employment.  The full time positions usually go to candidates with an MATESOL or related degree.

Prospective employers will look at:
1) institutional reputation
2) classroom hours
3) courses taken
4) field experience in the classroom. (Generally, a program with a minimum of around 60 hours of field experience is more highly regarded.)

The Bottom Line?

The more desirable the locale (read: good salary, appealing destination), the better the qualifications needed.