Internationally Recognized
TEFL Certificate Courses
Gateway to a Wider World
CONTENTS
Introduction and Welcome
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1.
Who are we?
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2.
Course Structure and Content
4
3.
Assessment and Certification
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4.
An international experience
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5.
Employment and career opportunities
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6.
Quality Assurance
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7.
Graduate credits for a Master’s Degree in TESOL
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8.
Course fees and special offers
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9.
Enrolment and payment procedures
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10.
Contact information
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1
Introduction and Welcome
Dear Friends,
We hope you will find this information helpful when considering the possibility of studying with
us on a Via Lingua Advanced TEFL certificate course.
Via Lingua Advanced TEFL Certificate courses are offered as regular intensive four-week
courses at various locations around the world. They are provided throughout the year and enable
graduates to gain the necessary certification, which allows them to teach English abroad. Parttime courses are offered at some of our centers, as well. Our programs are unique in the field of
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), both in terms of the content and the structure.
All our TEFL and cultural programs are underpinned by a commitment to:
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cutting-edge research in relation to TEFL pedagogy
life-long learning and cultural exchange
the development of transferable skills
the enhancement of life skills
individualized study programs
the celebration of talents and achievements
the encouragement of personal choice and responsibility
All our courses exceed the international standards that are laid down for the regulation of the
industry. We are now very proud to announce that our complete TEFL course program is
moderated by the English Language Teaching (ELT) Institute, Hunter College, City University of
New York. This prestigious institution also operates the International English Language Institute
(IELI) which is a member of AAIEP (The American Association for Intensive English Programs)
and UCIEP (University and College Intensive English Programs). We are also very proud to
inform you that all Via Lingua TEFL Programs qualify trainees for graduate credits towards a
Master’s in Education offered through NOVA Southeastern University, Florida. In addition, the
Via Lingua CTEFL program is accredited by the College of Teachers in the U.K., one of only
four course accreditation bodies in the country. Finally, our International Advisory Board brings
together a group of outstanding professional educators who are leaders in the field of international
education.
Although it is impossible for us to offer an ironclad guarantee of employment for all our
graduates, we do provide an advisory service, which almost always leads to their employment
within a few weeks of completing the course. Eighty per cent of those trainees who begin their
job-search during the course have an offer of employment before the end of the course.
As we celebrate our twelfth year of offering the Via Lingua TEFL certificate course, we are
happy to announce that well over 3,500 students have graduated from our courses and moved
successfully into the world of teaching English as a foreign language. Are you ready to join
them?
Thomas
Shandorf
Best
Regards
,
Thomas Shandorf
Managing Director
Managing Director
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1. Who are we?
Via Lingua is one of the world’s largest and most well established TEFL certification
providers. With offices and branches in several countries worldwide, we are able to
provide opportunities for study in a wide range of fascinating locations. Our extensive
network of international contacts enables us to help graduates secure jobs in their chosen
destination after completing the course.
The current management team includes the owner, Tom Shandorf, as well as Steve
Patten, the Academic Coordinator. In addition to this, we have an Academic Board that
is responsible for curriculum development and academic standards.
The Via Lingua TEFL Certificate course is a carefully designed program, which has an
international reputation. We pride ourselves in providing a standardized course with
local variations, as well as a challenging and exciting environment for aspiring teachers
of English as a Foreign Language.
Via Lingua offers four-week and part-time TEFL certificate courses in a large and expanding
number of locations worldwide. We currently have training centers Italy (Florence and Sardinia),
Greece (Crete), Hungary (Budapest), Russia (Saint Petersburg), Saudi Arabia, Turkey (Istanbul),
Portugal (Porto), Mexico (Guzman), Peru (Arequipa), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Vietnam (Ho
Chi Minh City), U.S.A. (New York),Thailand (Pattaya), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Chile (Santiago),
Panama (Panama City) and Morocco (Marakesh) .
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Further details of these locations can be found on our website at www.vialingua.org. We
are currently working with potential partners in order to expand our worldwide
representation.
The advantages of our wide global network are twofold: firstly, it offers students the
opportunity to choose a course in a location, which suits their individual requirements.
Secondly, it enables us to develop an ever-increasing network of global contacts with
schools and training establishments, which help us in our efforts to secure teaching
positions for our graduates.
2.
Course Structure and Content
Your success on the Via Lingua TEFL Certificate course depends on the development of
an effective partnership between the course providers and the course participants.
We guarantee to provide you with:
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An internationally recognized and approved program, focusing on five key
aspects of successful language teaching:
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Pedagogy theory
Language awareness
Teaching skills
Life skills
Cultural awareness
A program which is moderated by the ELT Institute, Hunter College, City
University of New York and accredited by the College of Teachers (U.K.)
A four-week on-site course in one of our international locations
The option to undertake a part-time version of the course in certain locations
A minimum of 120 hours of tuition
A minimum of eight academic hours of supervised and supported teaching
experience with genuine non-native speakers of English
Tuition, mentoring, support and advice from experienced and well-qualified
practitioners
Reference materials and teaching resources
We expect you to:
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Attend all foundation training sessions and workshops
Complete all assignments within the agreed time-frame
Work collaboratively and cooperatively with other course members
Engage in the process of self-reflection
Commit yourself fully to the program
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By the end of the program you should be able to:
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Teach English in a wide range of international locations
Engage effectively with people from a variety of cultural experiences and
backgrounds
Assess the individual and group needs of your students
Plan and deliver lessons for students from a variety of age groups
Plan and deliver lessons for students at different levels of English language
competence
Demonstrate and explain aspects of English grammar and phonology
Make informed choices about teaching materials
Design and develop your own teaching materials
Design formative and summative assessment activities to evaluate student
progress
Engage students in the process self assessment
Reflect on your own practice and manage your own professional development
needs
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3.
Assessment and Certification
Effective assessment is a collaborative process and the Via Lingua program is structured
in such a way that all stakeholders make a contribution (trainees, trainers, students of
English as a Foreign Language and external moderators),
We guarantee to provide you with:
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A framework for personal and professional standards that acts as our benchmark
for assessment purposes.
Formative and summative assessment activities that support and guide trainees as
they develop new skills.
An internationally recognized TEFL Certificate.
A TEFL Certificate that is recognized and accredited by Nova Southeastern
University and counts towards a master’s degree program.
We expect you to:
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Complete all assessment activities.
Meet the minimum requirements as identified in the framework for Personal and
Professional Standards.
By the end of the program you should be able to:
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Engage in the process of self assessment
Reflect on your own practice and manage your own professional development
needs
Demonstrate to potential employers that you have reached a high standard in
relation to teaching skills, pedagogy theory, language awareness, life skills and
cultural awareness
Meet the expectations of students and employers
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4.
An international experience
One of the most important aspects of our TEFL program is the opportunities we provide
for you to experience the excitement of living, studying and working in a foreign country.
For some trainees this can be a challenging prospect and so our trainers provide you with
a supportive and safe environment where you can “find your feet” and then venture out
into the unknown.
We guarantee to provide you with:
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Standardized, centrally located and inexpensive accommodation
Opportunities to live with host families
An orientation pack prior to arrival
Workshop sessions on living and working in a foreign country
Foreign language lessons
Cultural awareness sessions
We expect you to:
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Respect the host culture
Take the opportunity to get to know local people
Take care of yourself and not put yourself at risk
Make an effort to familiarize yourself with new customs, new ideas, new food, a
new language.
By the end of the program you should be able to:
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Communicate at a basic level in the host country’s language
Appreciate the challenges and opportunities of living, studying and working in a
foreign country
Feel confident about finding your way around the town, making new friends and
looking for employment
Appreciate something of the history, art and culture of the host country
Feel confident enough to plan for your first year of living and working in a
foreign country.
Employment and career opportunities
Supporting you as you seek your first appointment as a TEFL teacher is of primary
importance to us. Approximately 80% of our trainees who actively seek employment
during the duration of the course will have secured at least one job offer before they
complete the program.
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We guarantee to provide you with:
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Guidance, advice and support from our experienced team of trainers
Access to our global network of language schools and training establishments
Advice and support in preparing resumes, preparing for interviews and
negotiating contracts
Details about job vacancies
Detailed and supportive references
Opportunities to further your academic career with Nova Southeastern University
We expect you to:
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Discuss your requirements and employment goals with us
Actively engage in the process of seeking a teaching position
Complete your professional portfolio and share this at interview with prospective
employers
By the end of the program you should be able to:
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Clearly define your employment goals
Apply for a variety of international teaching posts
Present yourself effectively through a resume and at an interview
Negotiate a contract with an employer
Take up your first teaching post
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6.
Quality assurance
The quality of our program is a primary concern for us. We rely on your feedback in
order to make on-going improvements in the quality of the services we provide to you.
We guarantee to provide you with:
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A course which is moderated by the prestigious ELT Institute, Hunter College,
City University of new York,
A course which is endorsed and accredited by Nova Southeastern University
A course that is internally moderated
A course that is approved by our Academic Board and Advisory Board.
We expect you to:
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Provide us with feedback about the quality of your experience (before, during and
after the course)
Complete all formal evaluation forms which we provide
Provide us with constructive criticism on how we can improve the services we
provide
By the end of the program you should be able to:
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Have confidence that you have experienced a first-rate program
Believe that the program has prepared you for the challenges and opportunities of
life as a language teacher
Recommend our program to friends and family members
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7. Graduate credits for a Masters Degree in TESOL
Effective January 2008, all Via Lingua trainees who successfully complete our 4-week
course, qualify for Graduate Credits for an advanced degree.
Nova Southeastern University (NSU), U.S.A., has reviewed the Via Lingua CTEFL
course and is proud to award graduate credits to all Via Lingua graduates. NSU provides
all Via Lingua graduates with a certificate, stating that they have earned credits towards a
Masters Degree in Education with a specialization in Teaching English as Foreign
Language.
The Master of Science program in education, with a specialization in Teaching English as
a Foreign Language, focuses on training current and future educators in the areas of
foreign language instruction, curriculum development, and assessment and evaluation.
This specialization provides students with a foundation in second language learning
theories and instructional technologies and distance education; it then allows students to
further explore advanced studies in applied linguistics or technology. Course content is
research based and is infused with best practices in education.
Coursework in the Teaching English as a Foreign Language specialization is conducted
entirely online. This approach allows students to receive and submit coursework and
interact with participants and professors via the Internet. This distance delivery option
allows busy professionals to complete their degrees without having to leave their jobs or
travel long distances.
Faculty members for the Master of Science in Education are recognized scholars and
educators from Nova Southeastern University and other major universities and
institutions throughout the country. In addition, many are also highly respected
professional practitioners. They are carefully selected on the basis of their subject
expertise, teaching abilities, and professional involvement. Most importantly, they are
united in their desire to not only educate, but to inspire students to use what they learn to
inspire others.
For additional information, please see the NOVA Southeastern University website:
http://fischlerschool.nova.edu/programs/ms/education/degreeonly/tefl.htm
8. Courses, fees and special offers
Courses run regularly all through the year at many of our more popular locations in
Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. In other locations courses they run 2-5 times per year,
with particular emphasis on the busier summer months from June – September. Exact
dates for each location are posted on the homepage for each centre on the
www.vialingua.org website.
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The cost of the course varies slightly between the differing locations but is normally
between EUR 1300 – EUR 1500. This includes all course tuition, materials, coursebooks, airport pickups, moderation, and examination and certificate fees. This price
does not include the cost of accommodation.
Occasionally, during the quieter season of the year (January – April) we may offer
discounts for early bookings in certain centres, either on the accommodation or on the
course fee. Special packages may also include deals on travel arrangements.
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Enrollment and payment procedures
Potential trainees are directed to the on-line enrollment form at
http://secure.vialingua.org/enrollment.asp in order to apply for a place on the course. As
long as applicants fulfill our standard entry requirements (college/university degree, a
native English speaker and at least 21 years of age) and the chosen course is showing as
having availability on the pull-down list on the form, applicants may confirm their
enrollment by filling out the secure payment form for the necessary EUR 275 deposit.
The remaining balances of the course fee, as well as the costs of accommodation, are paid
to the local center on the first day of the course.
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Contact information
If you would like to discuss any aspects of this brochure with a member of the
management team, please contact us at our central email address:
info@vialingua.org
We very much look forward to meeting you in one of our exciting and stimulating course
venues!
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Index of Photographs
Front Cover:
Florence, Italy, viewed from the Duomo.
Page 1:
Welcome to Via Lingua! Pre-course dinner.
Page 3:
Graduation day with the trainers at Via Lingua!
Page 5:
Getting ready to teach!
Page 6:
Teaching Practice during the course.
Page 8:
Study session
Page 9:
Relaxing by the pool after teaching,.
Page 11:
Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
www.vialingua.org
©Via Lingua 2009
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