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TESOL NEWSLETTER
January - February 2011
FROM JAMES STAKENBURG
The new year is here, and with new excitement and new adventures to be had. The ESL industry in China is booming and we are now able to guarantee job placement here for all TESOL Certificate graduates. We also have jobs available in Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Georgia. The industry in New York is really regaining strength too, after the effects of the recession. We are also excited to offer new short specialty TESOL courses this year, in addition to our Certificate courses.
 | | Me at the Great Wall. |
Language and culture are inherently linked, so this month we look at ways to teach culture in the ESL classroom. I hope the ideas are helpful for you - or will be in the future if you're comtemplating a new career in TESOL.
Happy New Year! James
212-867 8700
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China
The Inside Scoop (word-of-mouth advice from someone who's been there)
Sharon did the TESOL course in 2009 and is working as an ESL editor and teacher in Shanghai:
Especially in Shanghai, knowing English means better opportunities, what with so many tourists and expats here, so students are generally highly motivated to learn English. Some students are... (read more)
 | | Shanghai |
John lives in Shanghai and works as a recrtuitment agent:
The demand for native-speaking English teachers in China far exceeds supply. Native speakers with a TESOL Certificate can easily find work in China. Beijing and Shanghai are ... (read more)
Please note: While every endeavor is made to ensure this information is accurate, Rennert is not responsible for any incorrect information. |
TESOL Teaching Ideas
It's impossible to cover every type of activity in the course, so this is a (hopefully helpful) forum for sharing additional ideas. If you have any great ideas/ activities etc that you would like to share, please email me
10 WAYS TO TEACH CULTURE
Presented by Joe McVeigh & Ann C. Wintergerst, Ed.D. at TESOL Convention, Boston, 2010
1. CULTURE IS:
TASK:
Take a minute to write down your own definition of culture. Complete this sentence:
Culture is ________________________ .
Take 2 minutes to discuss your responses with a partner. 
2. CRITICAL INCIDENTS
A critical incident offers students a brief story or vignette in which some type of cultural miscommunication takes place. Students read and discuss the incident to try to understand why the miscommunication took place and how it could have been prevented.
Steps:
· Prepare copies of the critical incidents.
· Divide students in small groups.
· Distribute the handouts to the students. Tell them how many incidents you want them to discuss.
· Direct the students to read the incidents one at a time and to work together to answer the questions at the top of the handout.
· As a class, discuss the critical incidents, the solutions from each group, and the area of cultural conflict described.
Note that students are not given answer choices but are asked to come up with their own conclusions.
Continued here ...
Handouts are also available. |
Job Opportunities
There is a LOT of demand for TESOL certified teachers inChina right now. We provide guaranteed job placement for native-speking graduates of the course. A wonderful opportunity  to gain valuable teaching expertience while immersing yourself in a very different culture.
We also have positions available in Thailans, Saudi Arabia and Georgia - an interesting sampling of international locations. |
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Explore Rennert on Facebook
Rennert's TESOL program has a Facebook page and sign up as a fan. You can see course photos, join discussions, find out details of upcoming events at Rennert, and meet new friends.
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 | | Sign in China |
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Free Professional Development
Workshops at Rennert
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All WL-SIT TESOL Certificate Alumni in New York can attend Rennert's free in-house professional development workshops for for the rest of their career.
Professional Development sessions are held each month.
Last month the session was on ways to get students speaking more in class. The topics for November are to be set soon and SIT @ Rennert alumni will be emailed with thr course details.
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Observing ESL
Classes at Rennert
It's very common for people to wonder exactly what happens in an ESL classroom.
"How can you teach English without also speaking the students' language?"
"How is a communicative language class similar to, or different from, my own language learning experiences?"
"Will I enjoy teaching as much as I think I will?"
To take some of the mystery out of this, we welcome those interested in becoming teachers to come and observe classes at Rennert. Participants on the course as well as alumni of the course also have standing invitations to observe classes any time. This is a really great opportunity for new or experienced teachers to gather extra ideas and techniques. And if you are thinking about becoming an ESL teacher but aren't quite sure if it's the right thing for you, this is a great chance to see what it's all about.
If you are interested in coming in and watching a class, just give me a call or send me an email.
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Personal Updates
from course alumni
1. Chris (July 2009) - back in Brazil and planning to return to Canada in February
2. Kim (July 2009) - on a round-the-world trip after leaving Turkey
3. David (July 2009) - back in NYC after a year in Morocco
4. Sharon (August 2009) - working as an ESOL editor and teacher in Shanghai
5. Carl (July 2010) - teaching privates and group classes in NYC. Thinking of heading to Morocco.
6. Alison (January 2010) - just back from South Africa and Senegal
7. Eric (July 2010) - working at NYLC here in the city
8. Sally (February 2009) - moving to Chile in February
9. Dela (Sep-Dec 2008) - doing her Masters at Hunter
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