Program Add Ons
Pre-Departure TEFL Certification
CIEE has partnered with the TEFL Institute to bring a professional level preparation and certification program (about 130 hours) to all interested participants. CIEE participants will engage in a closed virtual classroom, moderated by a university professor with daily feedback, direction, and personal commentary to lead discussions for an interactive virtual learning environment. This is a comprehensive course that is rich with peer-to-peer, teacher-to-student, and student-to-teacher interactions. Following the 130 hour online course, TEFL students complete a practicum teaching ESL learners in their local community—the TEFL Institute provides support in finding a place near you to complete these hours. The goal, upon completion of the online course and practicum, is that the CIEE participant is genuinely prepared to teach English in the Dominican Republic from beginner to advanced levels and from one-on-one to large groups.
During the TEFL certification program you will study the four cornerstones of language learning: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Additionally, the course covers the basics of language methodology, linguistics, phonetics, and grammar, plus class lesson planning, curriculum development, classroom management skills, and language assessments.
Course Objectives
- Develop an awareness of the field and practices of TEFL
- Develop an understanding of the components of the English Language as related to teaching English to non-native speakers
- Design lessons for EFL/ESL students at a variety of levels
- Develop appropriate lesson plans for your English Language Learners in listening, speaking, reading and writing
- Consider and comment on the work of fellow classmates
Practicum
To complement and complete the certification program, participants will complete 20 hours of practicum experience by volunteering as a tutor or instructor at an EFL/ESL Clinic in their community. TEFL graduates avoid many of the challenges of learning on the job and can expect to feel prepared for a new and rewarding challenge of teaching English in the Dominican Republic.
Timing
TEFL certification programs generally begin 2.5 to 3 months pre-departure and last for about 60 days, giving CIEE participants time to complete the course before they leave for the Dominican Republic. TEFL students may conduct the online course and practicum simultaneously.
Enrollment
Candidates interested in becoming TEFL certified pre-departure should sign up for the course at time of application to CIEE. Adding a TEFL course after being accepted for the program will be considered based on timing. However, dropping the TEFL course after being accepted to the program is discouraged—applicants who choose to do so will be reevaluated to determine if they remain qualified to participate without the certification. If you wish to sign up late, contact CIEE to learn if space is available.