1. What is the School for International Training? The School for International Training (SIT), located in Brattleboro, Vermont, offers master of arts degree programs in teaching; conflict transformation; international education; social justice; intercultural relations; sustainable development; intercultural service, leadership, and management; and a master of science degree program in organizational management. Also offered is a certificate and diploma program in NGO leadership and management and more than fifty undergraduate-level study abroad programs. The mission of the School is to enable participants to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and awareness needed to contribute effectively to global understanding and world peace. SIT is recognized nationally and internationally for its work in language teacher education and has been educating learner-oriented and culturally sensitive language teachers in its Master of Arts in Teaching program for over thirty-five years. It has prepared over 2000 active professionals who are working in the field today making significant contributions as classroom teachers, administrators or consultants throughout the USA and in over 70 countries around the world.   SIT is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. For more information, visit the following links: www.sit.edu or http://ourworld.worldlearning.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SIT 2. Why should I take the SIT TESOL Certificate course? SIT is one of the pre-eminent institutions in TESOL Training in the world, with more than 35 years of experience.  The SIT TESOL Certificate is the premier US-based certificate and is recognized worldwide.  The innovative course curriculum was designed by SIT faculty, based on humanistic, experiential, and progressive teaching. The SIT course provides practical ESOL teacher-training in which participants develop skills in planning lessons and teaching speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, and culture. The sessions are highly interactive and experiential. The course includes planning lessons and teaching twenty-four hours of classes to "real" ESOL students. Trainers observe your teaching and give practical advice after each session. Graduates of the SIT TESOL Certificate find challenging teaching positions in the U.S. and abroad, or return to their current jobs with new skills and greater knowledge, awareness, and satisfaction. 3. Who teaches the course? The SIT TESOL Certificate course is taught by two full-time trainers working in tandem. Trainers are experienced ESOL teachers who have worked with adult learners, and have previous training experience.  The average trainer/trainee ratio is 6:1. The trainers teach the course content, process discussions, coach participants in developing lesson plans and in planning and teaching. They also observe participants' teaching and provide feedback to participants after each teaching session. 4. Is the course the same at all sites? All courses follow the same curriculum and are taught by SIT-trained trainers. In addition, each course is assessed by an evaluator who observes lesson planning and practice teaching sessions. The evaluator reviews participants' written work and collects direct feedback from course participants. The evaluator ensures that the program meets SIT standards and that participants are meeting the goals and requirements of the course and are on track to receive their certificates at the end. 5.  What is the difference between the Intensive course and the Extensive course? The main difference between these two types of courses is the schedule.  The intensive course takes place over a 4 week period, with classes meeting everyday, Monday through Friday.  The Extensive course takes place over a 12 week period and workshops are primarily held on Saturdays and some Sundays.  Practice teaching and observation are held two evenings per week (participants generally need to attend only one of those two nights).  The extensive course is designed for participants who have other responsibilities such as full-time jobs and cannot study intensively for one month.  The Trainer/Trainee ratio during workshops may vary between 6:1 and 12:1.  The Trainer/Trainee ratio during practice teaching will be no greater than 6:1. 6. What kind of people take this course? Participants are a diverse group. Many are college-age students who are interested in traveling and working overseas. There are also working professionals preparing to enter TESOL as an alternative career or in retirement. Non-native English speakers with strong English skills also take the course so they can teach English in their own countries or elsewhere. Many experienced teachers find the Certificate course a valuable introduction to SIT's model of reflective practice. 7. What are the entrance requirements? You must have a high school degree and show a capacity for college-level education including a good understanding of the English language and solid writing skills. You must remain calm under pressure, be willing to accept the authority of your trainers, commit to conveying a difference of opinion in a respectful manner, and be willing to work as a positive team player. All applicants must submit an application along with a one-page handwritten essay, as well as have an oral interview (which can be done by phone) with the program manager. Non-native speakers need a minimum TOEFL score of 550 for the written test or 213 for the computerized version, or an IELTS Band 6.0 or higher. Non- native speakers must also have a second interview to ensure their listening/speaking skills are adequate to take the course and to teach English. All participants must show a willingness to plan and teach in groups and to work reflectively. 8. What kind of job will I be able to get with this certificate? The SIT TESOL Certificate will open employment opportunities both at home and abroad.   It can qualify you for a position in a language institute or an adult education program in the United States, Canada or overseas. Most college and university teaching positions, however, require you to have a master's degree. SIT also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching degree (see question 12 for discounts available to holders of the SIT TESOL Certificate). Completion of the SIT TESOL Certificate will give you access to the SIT job resource data base as well as the network of SIT alumni around the world. 9. What kind of job search support will be provided after I receive the certificate As a graduate of the program, you will have access to information about ESOL teaching positions worldwide through SIT's Professional Development Resource Center, located on SIT's Brattleboro campus. To facilitate networking, SIT maintains a listserv that connects graduates of all SIT courses. In addition, SIT's Professional Development Resource Center offers valuable support during employment searches. In addition, SIT TESOL Certificate holders are invited to apply for teaching jobs at the over 125 schools in the International House (IH) network through IH London. Available positions can be accessed on-line at www.ihworld.com/recruitment. 10. Will SIT’s TESOL Certificate enable me to teach ESOL in U.S. public schools? The SIT TESOL Certificate may qualify you for an aide position in a public school ESOL program. However, to teach in the public schools in the U.S., you need public school certification, a process which generally involves an undergraduate degree followed by a period of full-time student teaching in a public school under the direction of a veteran teacher. Specific requirements vary from state to state.  Graduates from the program should apply to the state within which they wish to teach for an ESOL endorsement. 11. Can I get college credit for the course? Participants can petition any college or university to recognize the course hours spent in the program and issue undergraduate or graduate academic credit. If you are interested in pursuing this option you should check with the Registrar's Office at whatever college or university you are attending or plan to attend.  Graduates of the course may receive 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) granted through The School for International Training.   Please contact SIT or the course manager for details. 12. After I finish the certificate course, if, at a later date, I decide to complete one of SIT's programs leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching, is there any special financial aid available for me as a certificate course alum? Yes. Any SIT TESOL Certificate holder who enrolls in one of the SIT Master of Arts in Teaching degree programs will be given a tuition reduction of $2,000. 13. Does everyone who attends the course get a certificate? Acceptance into the course is not a guarantee that you will receive the certificate. If trainers feel that any participant has not successfully completed or mastered any segment of the course, or has not completed the written work satisfactorily, the participant will not be awarded the certificate, but will be awarded a letter of course attendance instead. To complete the certificate successfully, you must meet all the program requirements: 1.        attend all the program sessions (allowances are made for absence due to emergency situations); 2.        communicate effectively and fluently in written and oral English; 3.        successfully meet the goals and objectives of the program; 4.        successfully complete all the student teaching requirements and all program assignments. Trainers in the course will meet with you to give you feedback on all aspects of your work in the program. You will also do a self-assessment and a peer assessment as part of your program requirements. 14.  What is the difference between TESOL, TESL and TEFL? Essentially they all mean the same thing.  The acronym TESOL stands for “Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages” and is an umbrella term that encompasses both TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).  North American-based organizations tend to favor the term TESOL; whereas, European-based organizations tend to use the terms TESL and/or TEFL. 15.  Do I need to speak the language of the students I will be teaching? No.  In order to ensure that students get a maximum exposure to and practice in English, the SIT Certificate teaching strategies all focus upon using English to teach English.  In this way, students not only have a deeper, more meaningful language learning experience, but teachers are also equipped with the skills necessary to teach classes of students from a variety of linguistic backgrounds. 16.  Does SIT offer other academic programs? Yes.  For more information about the range of academic programs offered by SIT, please visit www.sit.edu.