|
Greetings from Indiana University!
 The Department of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (LCLE) at Indiana University (IU) is offering a specialized professional development program in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) via distance education. The program is made possible by the "New Idea Development and Implementation Grant" from the School of Education.
The program was developed to address the immediate need for qualified and knowledgeable English language teachers and teacher trainers overseas and in the US. For example, since 2002, there has been a 300% increase in the demand for teachers to teach English abroad. Countries such as China, Taiwan and South Korea have government mandates for the teaching of English in the public schools. In the U.S, where currently there are 5.1 million learners requiring help with English as a second language, there are only approximately 142,148 ESL certified public school teachers in Title III language instruction programs. Thus, the need for qualified professionals in EFL and ESL is simultaneously challenging and exciting. The EPDE certificate program described here provides an opportunity for interested individuals to take action and to make a difference in the global community and in the one closer to home wherever that may be.
Faridah Pawan, Associate Professor in EFL/ESL & EPDE Director.
* The picture above shows Professor Pawan with fourth graders at Tsinghua Elementary (Beijing, China) in May 2009.
|