TEFL / TESOL Certification Programs in Seattle, WA

School of Teaching ESL – Seattle, WA and online:
The School of Teaching ESL (S-TESL) is located in the Licton Springs neighborhood in North Seattle, Washington. In conjunction with Seattle University, The School of Teaching ESL has created a cooperative agreement that gives students several choices regarding professional development in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). There are many good, practical courses leading to a certificate in teaching English. Ours earns post-baccalaureate credit from Seattle University, which many students find advantageous.

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The certificates are issued by Seattle University. With pre-planning, these credits can apply to a future master's degree in TESOL, thus saving both time and money. More than 3,500 certificates have been awarded since 1985, so most local administrators, and many overseas administrators, are familiar and pleased with the training their teachers got at S-TESL.

The School of Teaching ESL emphasizes decision-making, and the knowledge you need to make the many decisions you will be required to make in your teaching career. A well-seasoned instructional staff helps to prepare you for your next step in TESOL. The 900-level education credits from Seattle University and the Certificate in TESOL awarded by Seattle University will always be of value on your resume.

All classes are based on Facilitative Language Teaching, which recognizes the needs for both fluency and accuracy in a second language. Classes establish general guidelines; members apply these guidelines to specific teaching situations. Classes are task-based and project oriented. We believe people learn by doing. We want to teach you the way that we recommend you teach others.

Seattle University is accredited by the Northwest Association for Colleges and Universities. The College of Education is additionally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Our Mission:
Our mission is to prepare people to teach second and foreign languages in a wide variety of arenas and circumstances. Whether in the United States or abroad, teaching children or adults, working with advantaged or disadvantaged students, our graduates will be: Skilled, knowledgeable, resourceful, compassionate and commited to professional growth. The School of Teaching ESL also supports the mission statements of Seattle University and the Seattle University College of Education.

S-TESL offers a variety of class formats that can be applied towards certificates, or the ELL endorsement. Formats may be combined to earn your a certificate or endorsement.

* Four Week Intensive Classes
* Evening Classes
* Online Classes
* Summer Intensive Classes

All of our course formats are designed to maximize student success and learning.

TESOL Programs:
- 12 Credit TESOL Certificate
- 24 Credit TESOL Advanced Certificale
- ELL Endorsement Program
- Visiting Educators Program
- TEFL Program
- Seattle University (SU) Graduate Programs

S-TESL's Instructors:
S-TESL's academic staff works together on the school's curriculum and standards. They participate in an electronic discussion list, and meet together to discuss curricular issues at least twice a year. The group efforts reflect the following experience: They have at least master's degrees in TESOL, English, linguistics, education, or cross- cultural studies.

Members of the staff have traveled and/or worked in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. They speak Russian, German, Japanese, French, Malay, and Spanish. They have many of years experience teaching ESOL, EFL, and TESOL.

Our graduates' success proves we have excellent employment information and counseling as well as sound preparation to teach. S-TESL has had students working in over 50 countries and we have learned a great deal over the past twenty years from their experiences. We are always pleased by the many "small world" stories we hear about S-TESL students - locally and around the world - who have found other graduates. Our various certificate, graduate, and endorsement options provide opportunities for further professional growth too.