English Teacher Training

Two-Week In-Person Program

The English Teacher Training Program is customized to meet the needs of primary, secondary or higher education English educators. The program is adapted for undergraduate and graduate students, including in-service teachers. Instruction is provided by faculty from the San Francisco State University (SF State) English Department, M.A. TESOL Program and the College of Professional & Global Education. The program focuses on relevant training and mentoring based participants’ pedagogical contexts. This intensive two-week program provides 60 hours of learning experiences including instructional sessions with faculty, group work, school visits, classroom observations, meetings with local teachers and cultural enrichment activities.

English teacher calls on student in TESOL class

Program Goals

Goals are customized based on the needs of participants in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) contexts. In a typical program participant will achieve the following learning objectives:

  • Deepen understanding of current English teaching theory and methodology, particularly the Communicative Language Teaching Approach
  • Learn new teaching methodologies for reading, writing, speaking, listening and academic skills development
  • Develop best practices in curriculum design, lesson planning and sourcing materials
  • Gain methods for assessing and evaluating students
  • Learn to use technological tools and digital resources for teaching English
  • Engage and collaborate towards a common goal in group work projects
  • Grow your network of U.S. and international educators and engage in cultural exchange

About the Program

Program Faculty

Seminars and workshops will be facilitated by staff, University faculty members, teacher trainers and local school leaders. The following are faculty who have provided instruction for past teacher training programs.

Tenured Faculty:

  • David Olsher, Associate Professor, M.A. TESOL Program
  • Priyanvada Abeywickrama, Professor, M.A. TESOL Program
  • Robert Kohls, Assistant Professor, M.A. TESOL Program
  • Maricel Santos, Associate Professor, M.A. TESOL Program
  • Jerald Combs, Professor Emeritus, History
  • Sheldon Gen, Associate Professor, Public Administration

English Language Instructors:

  • Anita Seralathan, M.A. TESOL, Faculty at University of San Francisco
  • Katherine Cornelius, M.A. TESOL, Faculty at San Francisco State University
  • Lina Jurkunas, M.A. TESOL, Fulbright Language Teaching Fellow
  • Julia Schulte, M.A. TESOL, Faculty at San Francisco State University
  • Lea Gabay, M.A. TESOL, English Language Fellow Program Alumna

The list above is not comprehensive and additional faculty and/or language instructors may be engaged in the program. Faculty and instructors are selected based on meeting the needs of the students and program objectives.

Program Curriculum

  • Language Teaching Methodologies
  • Types of Learners
  • Communicative Language Teaching
  • Reading and Writing Teaching Methodology
  • Listening and Speaking Teaching Methodology
  • Pronunciation Teaching Methodology
  • Assessing Student Learning
  • Instructional Technology

Optional Topics

  • English and STEM Integrated Instruction
  • Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
  • English Medium Instruction (EMI)
  • Motivation and Classroom Management
  • Educational Leadership
  • English language development and presentation skills for participants

Classroom Observations and Culture Site-Visits

  • Classroom Observation Experiences and Meetings with Teachers
  • Cultural Enrichment Trips

Pre-Program Survey

Once participants are confirmed, they will be asked to complete a brief pre-arrival survey about their backgrounds and areas of interest. Survey responses will help guide administrators and faculty in developing relevant curriculum and activities to meet participant needs.

English Teacher Training Two-Week In-Person Program • Sample Schedule

Sample Schedule
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
WEEK 1
AM
Orientation
 
Campus Tour
Overview of Teaching Methodologies Classroom Observation 1 Communicative Language Teaching Listening and Speaking Teaching Methodology
 
Pronunciation Teaching Methodology
WEEK 1
PM
Cultural Enrichment: San Francisco Bay Cruise Types of Learners
 
Observation 1 Preparation
Observation 1
Debrief
 
Communicative Language Teaching
Listening and Speaking Teaching Methodology Cultural Enrichment:
de Young Fine Arts Museum
WEEK 2
AM
Reading and Writing Teaching Methodology Classroom Observation 2 Assessing Student Learning Instructional Technology Final Presentations
WEEK 2
PM
Reading and Writing Teaching Methodology
 
Observation 2 Preparation
Observation 2 Debrief
 
Final Presentation Preparation
Assessing Student Learning
 
Final Presentation Preparation
Cultural Enrichment: Mission Dolores Closing Ceremony and Celebration

Program Includes:

  • Unlimited San Francisco Public Transportation Pass, Municipal Railway (Muni)
  • Cultural Enrichment Activities
  • Online Pre-Departure Orientation
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Custom Scheduling for Custom Groups of 15 or More
  • Optional:
    • Roundtrip Airport Transportation
    • Organized Evening Activities and Weekend Trips

Visa

F-1 student visa not required. Participants can enter the U.S. on B-2 or visa waiver.

Fee

Estimated $1,600 per participant. 15 people minimum.
The fee does not include visa, insurance, meals or individual expenses.

Housing

We provide help with on-campus and off-campus accommodations. On-campus housing is only available in the summer.

SF State Campuses

The main campus is located in a quiet and safe neighborhood near the Pacific Ocean. The Downtown Campus is located in the heart of the business district, near social media companies — including Twitter, Pinterest and Yelp — and new economy companies, including Airbnb and Uber.

San Francisco State University sign

Contact Us

Contact us at globaled@sfsu.edu to plan your training.

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