News Article

Gonzaga University’s master of arts in teaching English-as-a-second language (TESL) program will host its ninth annual TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Summer Institute July 5-27 will help meet the growing need for expertise in teaching English.

The 3 ½-week- program is esigned for those interested in teaching English in the United States or abroad. The program will explore current methods, materials, and principles used in teaching languages (e.g. English, Japanese, French, Spanish, and Chinese) to non-native speakers. All classes will be held at the Rosauer Center for the School of Education on the GU campus.

The program offers a combination of coursework from experienced professionals on the theory and practice of language teaching, and a unique practical teaching component known as the ESL Language Camp. The camp allows participants to gain valuable experience teaching ESL children, teenagers and adults in the Inland Northwest. Summer Institute participants will graduate with the credential to teach worldwide, and gain four credits toward the MA/TESL or an ESL endorsement .

Students will learn how to apply these methods to the specific needs of language learners during a three-week language camp designed for ESL students in the community. Since the Gonzaga MA/TESL Program serves a variety of different learning and teaching populations, the Summer Institute Program is structured to address the teaching and learning needs of the participants. As such, the course remains student-centered although the students will be introduced to a broad range of second language principles, theories and methods. Students will focus on their particular teaching situations, areas of interest, or fields of research.

Classes begin Thursday, July 5 and will be held Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.. The cost for the four-credit, reduced-tuition course is $1,900, plus a $45 application fee.

On the last day of the Institute, Friday July 27, from 9 a.m.-noon at the COG on the GU campus, the MA/TESL program and Institute participants will host a mini-conference titled “GU Taste of TESL” for area teachers interested in ESL teaching, ESL public school endorsement information, ESL/EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teaching overseas or international travel. This event is free and open to the public.

The Institute addresses an increasing need for expertise in ESL teaching. The development of the TESL Summer Institute and the ESL Language Camp launched a collaborative partnership between Gonzaga’s MA/TESL program and Spokane public schools.

The Institute is specifically designed for individuals interested in: Obtaining a certificate to teach English overseas; receiving a K-12 ESL endorsement for the public schools (requires 12 credits in addition to Summer Institute; getting a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA/TESL); gaining hands-on, practical experience teaching English to non-native speakers of all ages; networking with ESL/EFL professionals, as well as international students in the Spokane community; developing cross-cultural communications skills that are vital in today’s competitive job market; and receiving an introduction to applied linguistics and its connection to culture.

The ESL Language Camp is a multi-age, multi-national English language experience for a variety of students including those who are returning from last year, newcomers to the community and students who want a jump-start for the fall. The Language Camp has served more than 40 ESL students each of the last six years.

For more information or to register for the TESOL certificate course, please contact Amber McKenzie at (509) 323-5560. For more information or to enroll in the afternoon ESL Language Camp, contact Joan Johnston at (509) 323-3655 or visit the Summer Institute Web site.