Are you enrolled in another training program that requires you visit a language classroom to satisfy observation or practice teaching requirements? Will assisting our classes help you satisfy requirements for other classes?

We want you to spend time or practice with us!! In fact, we designed this entire program for exactly this reason – practice makes perfect for teachers/tutors in training; and exposure to more people helps learners broaden their communication skills.

The following are some considerations to take into account.

Observers vs. Assistants

Many programs require that you observe some English classes taught by a professional. The idea of observation usually means that you’ll be sitting in the back of the room taking notes. While there is nothing wrong with this, it doesn’t work as well for our language learning environments because they are generally very dynamic and hands-on.  So, all observers are actually “classroom assistants”, which means you will be asked to participate in the class under the direction of the “MC” (primary instructor). There will usually be enough time for you to take notes in between activities.  Trust us, it’s so much more fun than sitting in the back of the room!

Shadowing

The term we use for “Assisting” when you don’t have any responsibility in the class but you will be participating under the direction of the primary instructor. You are welcome to Shadow any class you want – Here’s the process.

Teaching Experience

If you want to teach with us and have your experience count for another program, there are two ways to do it:

• Enter one of our Certificate or Professional Development Programs (you can always waive your tuition through one of our Community Assistantships. We never require anyone who is involved in any TESL/TEFL/TESOL program to pay for our full certificate program because we designed it to work in tandem with other programs. You may need to complete a “Bridge Project”.)
• Create a Customized Professional Development Program. We can create something flexible that allows you to get your classroom experience, technical competence, and support in a timeline that works for you. You may need the approval of an advisor and/or complete a “Bridge Project”.

Who Signs Off?

If all you need are a few classroom experiences to supplement your online certificate or complete a classroom observation requirement and you don’t want any teaching experience or practical skills, you can have the “MC” you’re working with confirm your participation verbally or in writing. Your “MC” cannot (officially) evaluate your teaching ability, competence, or skills on behalf of P-P-T. If you want any teaching experience at all, see above.  Read more about Recommendations & References.

Volunteering

Because we’re not a non-profit, we can’t take volunteers, but you can volunteer with our partners. Read more about our Organizational Structure.

Research & Materials Use

If you’d like to do academic or other research with our apprentices, staff, or learners, we’d love to partner with you, but you’ll need to ask us first! Whether or not you need to ask us about using our materials, ideas, or techniques will vary depending on the situation. Read more about Research.

Extracurricular Activities

As a non-academic practical skills based program, we are out to bring people together where ever people want to be together. We’ve got this idea of an industry where being more professional means being more human. So, we want you to make friends and give gifts and become roommates, etc. But because boundaries and best practices are more flexible, you’ll need to be very careful and very clear where they are. Read more about Boundaries.