The final class of the six-course program, the TESOL practicum, provides practice teaching under the guidance of a mentoring teacher. This can be done locally, in the student's home community or in a foreign country.

Local Practica


International Practica
We have several practicum options abroad that students can participate in. For full information and application procedures, please follow the links given.

All international practica must be pre-approved by the TESOL Director. Before beginning the application process, consult with the TESOL Director and International Advisor regarding the appropriateness of these practicum placements for your educational and professional goals. The TESOL Director will also provide guidelines for completing the practicum in conjunction with these placements, which vary in nature and scope.

Some placements require considerable advance planning; be sure to check on deadlines, qualifications and requirements. You also might want to take a look at the State Department's website regarding safety information for students traveling abroad - http://travel.state.gov/studentinfo.html (For further possibilities, consult the “Professional Organizations” and “Job Listings” sections on the International Teaching Jobs website list.) 

Japan: Guy Healy, Japan
Several American students (or recent graduates) will be selected to intern each term with Guy Healy, Japan as part of the teaching team for the ENG Project.  This is a non-salaried position however the major expenses of coming to and living in Japan are covered including airfare, lodging and most meals.

There are a variety of internships available.  Cities currently include Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Kagoshima, Japan.  Most interns are place at a specific age-range from elementary school to college based on experience.

Chile: Bellingham's Sister City of Punta Arenas, Chile
Information Sheet (pdf format)
Teaching in Chile is an excellent option for independent and responsible TESOL students who wish to experience another culture while completing their practicum. Placement is by recommendation of the TESOL director and the Bellingham Sister Cities program. TESOL and the Bellingham Sister Cities program have established this opportunity in Bellingham’s sister city of Punta Arenas, the capital of the Magallanes region, at the southern tip of Chile. Students live with host families, volunteer in a local school, and live with the rhythm of a Bellingham-sized city by the water in Patagonia.

Morelia, Mexico: One of two schools in Morelia may meet your needs:

• CCL (Centro Cultural de Lenguas): http://www.ccl.com.mx Practicum offered through established language school in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. Mentored practicum, Spanish courses some cultural activities, homestays.  Academic credits granted only for TESL 430, WWU’s practicum course. WWU financial aid does not ordinarily apply; consult with TESOL Director if financial aid is needed. Available year-round, including a one-month summer intensive option for those with prior teaching experience or who are education / English majors (with permission of TESOL Director). Apply through TESOL office; consult with International Advisor for application procedures.

• UNLA (La Universidad Latina de America): www.aha-intl.org/morelia.html (go to “Mexico” section). Program in Migration Studies with TESOL Practicum course, at an university located in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. Apply through WWU’s International Programs and Exchanges Program (IPE), (360) 650-3298, www.wwu.edu/~ipewwu; program run by AHA International. Full course load with credits transferable back to WWU.  WWU financial aid generally applies. Homestays, planned excursions and a full range of services for participants. 10-13 weeks, offered each quarter.
   

France Assistantships (assistants d’anglais):    http://www.ciep.fr/en/assistantetr/index.htm and http://frenchculture.org/education/support/assistant/2004-05.html (latter site has full application procedures, application forms and more detailed information.)  For details on Caen placement, go to http://www.ac-caen.fr/politique/assistant.php; click on “Le guide de l’assistant étranger.”) Government-sponsored program in France, run through an agency called CIEP. Competitive application process.  Placements in various regions of France or in other French-speaking countries. Program runs October through April (departure in September). Stipend provided for seven months, French health insurance (supplemental medical / emergency evacuation coverage needed). Applicants encouraged to apply for assistantships through the University of Caen, with which WWU has a direct relationship. Two or more years of college-level French and junior or higher standing required. Consult with Dr. Vicki Hamblin, French professor (Modern & Classical Languages Department, Vicki.Hamblin@wwu.edu), early in fall quarter prior to application. Dr. Hamblin’s website, http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~hamblinv/index.html,
contains many useful links to information about France.

Click here to read a letter from a student who taught in France through this program.

Worldwide:

• IE₃ Global Internships: http://ie3global.oregonstate.edu. Internships offered worldwide in education and other fields. Search by region or type of internship. For current students with junior or senior standing. Host country language ability required for some placements. Apply through WWU – International Programs & Exchanges office - 650-3298 www.wwu.edu/~ipewwu

• ELTAP (English Language Teaching Assistant Program), University of Minnesota, Morris Campus: http://www.eltap.org.  Practicum placements in various locations worldwide. 12 semester credits (18 quarter credits) offered through University of Minnesota, transferable to WWU.  Placements normally for 11 weeks, with mentoring and supervision. Consult with TESOL Program Director regarding completion of TESL 430 practicum through ELTAP. For more information on specific placement opportunities, contact Prof. Craig Kissock, GST / ELTAP Director, kissockc@mrs.umn.edu, (320) 589-6402. Apply through WWU – International Programs & Exchanges office (650-3298, www.wwu.edu/~ipewwu).

• Teaching & Projects Abroad: www.teaching-abroad.co.uk/ . Program based in the UK with a U.S. office, offering educational and other kinds of internships in various locations around the world.