University of West Bohemia



TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Certificate

Nineteenth Annual International Summer Language School

4 - 26 July, 2008

in cooperation with The University of Memphis

Pilsen, the Czech Republic

Application Forms - please go to this link for applications and current information


In the almost two decades since the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the learning and teaching of English has become even more essential to international communication. Throughout the world, there is a growing need for ELT [English Language Teaching]. Now motivated participants can earn a TEFL [Teaching English as a Foreign Language] Certificate that will provide you with the basic skills needed to 'teach your way around the world.'

The participants [known locally as TEFLers] will begin their course Saturday morning July 5, 2008, with an intensive workshop on practical methods of Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language [TEFL/TESL] taught by American, British, and Czech experts.

Four days a week during the following three weeks, TEFLers will spend:

Goals of the course
Structure of the course
Syllabus and texts
Requirements for certificates
Assignments
Professors


There will also be assignments that must be completed prior to the start of the Summer Program. Once you have registered, you will receive more detailed information about those assignments which will help you prepare for the intensive nature of the program.

Costs
Excursions
Accommodations
Courses available for American credit
Contact information

Two days a week [half-day Wednesdays and all-day Saturdays] the TEFLers join the other international students on excursions to historic and cultural sites, including Prague, the country's beautiful, dynamic capital, the famous spa towns of Franzenbad, Marienbad, and Karlsbad; the Sumava Mountains for hiking; and of course, the lovely villages, towns, and many castles around Pilsen [Plzen]. TEFLers will be able to work with their "students" in natural conversations and to discuss ideas and background in a more informal manner.

The program also includes

All classes are held in the new university campus. Breakfast, served in the University cafeteria is included in the price. Inexpensive lunches and dinners can be eaten in the many charming pubs, restaurants, and snack bars near the University and the dorms.

All foreign participants and many Czechs will live in the nearby University dorm which becomes the 'international' village for the school. Each participant paying full tuition will have a single room joined to another single room by the bath and toilet facilities. Near the dorms are athletic facilities [including tennis, riding, soccer, and volleyball], grocery stores, a Tesco Mall, gift shops, and many friendly pubs. Those receiving the scholarship price from Central or Eastern Europe will be housed in double rooms (two students to a room).

The University of West Bohemia is an integral part of Pilsen [Plzen], the second largest city [next to Prague] in Bohemia, the region that adjoins the southeastern part of Germany. The German border is about an hour away from Pilsen, and day trips to Regensburg, Munich, and Nuremberg are quite easy to arrange.

Pilsen is the home of the Skoda Locomotive Works and the birthplace of Pilsener beer; the compact and friendly city reflects the economic transformation and stunning urban renovations going on in Central Europe Although Pilsen is small by American standards, it has a lovely city center, an opera house, many theatres, parks, a zoo, and a very effective public transportation system. The tram and bus month pass that you may purchase to gain access to 24 hour service costs around $10. Like most Czech cities, Pilsen is extremely safe, friendly, and inexpensive.

Participants can, if they wish, earn American academic credit for the course through the University of Memphis [an accredited, state university in Tennessee, USA] or possibly with prior arrangements through their home institutions. A major benefit of the program is that all students, regardless of their home institution or residency, pay the low in-state rate for tuition for the courses taken in Pilsen.

Completion of the program will earn [1] many friends and great experiences in a country where everyone is interested in learning English and getting to know people from all over the world; [2] academic credits, if desired; [3] new and valuable skills that may help you travel the world; [4] a certificate to show prospective employers; and [5] a unique international experience. Apply here!


Excursions:
Two times a week, half-day and full-day trips to the most interesting historic sites of Central Europe complement course work in each of the languages.
List of excursions

Accommodations and Meals:
Single rooms in modern halls of residence where you will live, study, and communicate with people from all courses of study and many nations. Breakfast daily is included in the price. Nearby you will be able to buy inexpensively your choice of traditional Central European dishes or vegetarian fare in the many pubs and restaurants near the dorms and in the city. Please fill out the preference form which is part of the application process--note that TEFLers should and may arrive on Friday, July 4, 2008.

 

Cost: approximately US$1,325 (21,900 Czech crowns so the the exchange rate at time of payment will determine the exact dollar or euro amount)
Fee covers onsite tuition, accommodations, breakfast daily, excursions twice weekly, and cultural activities. Note this price does NOT include airfare. Tuition for non-Europeans can be paid with credit cards (visa and mastercard) or cash in the Czech Republic the first week of class. Do NOT try to do a bank transfer from the United States.

Travel arrangements to and from Pilsen not included. [A free university bus to Pilsen from Prague airport is arranged ONLY on Friday afternoon, July 4, 2008; reservations are required; sign up here after you have registered for the course.]<>

Courses offered Summer 2008 for American college credit (with additional payment):
American college credit may be earned through the University of Memphis for TEFL classes. All students pay instate fees: approximately $819 for 3 undergraduate hours and $1131 for 3 graduate hours. Up to 6 hours can be earned during the program. Additionally, those who register for UofM credit must pay international program fee payable to U. of Memphis International Office of $350 regardless of number of credits taken. The international fee includes the international student I.D. card. This card provides you with modest international insurance and access to student airfares.

Undergraduate Courses in Pilsen: 3 credits each

ENGL 4533
Issues and Techniques in EFL

ENGL 4530
Practicum in ESL/EFL

Graduate Courses in Pilsen: 3 credits each

ENGL 6533
Issues and Techniques in EFL

ENGL 7530
Field Experience in ESL/EFL

You can quickly register as a non-degree graduate student (i.e. you already have an undergraduate degree from anywhere);

Non-degree Application

If you will need undergraduate credit, contact the coordinator for the necessary paperwork.

Deadlines:
Please plan on applying in February 2008 and by May 2008 at the latest. However, since there are usually last minute cancellations, never assume it is too late to apply.

Further Information:
Charles Hall, Ph.D. or Gabriela Klečkov, Ph.D., Applied Linguistics, Department of English, University of Memphis, TN, USA 38152;
email: tefl02@yahoo.com; fax: 901/678-2226.

Applications

people and staff of all ages and backgrounds
[interactive map] [weather info] [European map ] [train schedules to and from Pilsen] [arriving in Prague] [applying for an American passport] [student travel to Europe : planes, trains, student I.D.s, and transporter beams] [currency converter]

 

Charles Hall's HomePage

More information on the Czech Republic