About ELI Teachers
ELI: About Our Teachers
When evaluating a language program, the first question to ask is, “Who are your teachers?”
At the American University of Mongolia’s English Language Institute, we know that the No. 1 key to maintaining a quality language program is its teachers. This is why we have very high standards for the teachers who work in our program. In addition, we strive to make the teaching environment one that is both challenging and rewarding so that teachers are encouraged to grow and develop and language learning professionals.
Education
The ELI requires that all teachers in the General English Program have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and a TESOL Certificate. To teach in the Academic English Program, a teacher must hold either an MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics from an American university. A strong educational background in modern English language teaching principles is a must for success in the classroom.
Commitment
Teachers in the ELI must be committed to their profession. In other words, they must self-identify as teachers and see TESOL as a career, not a job.
Experience
Some classroom experience is a must before ELI teachers can be given their own classes. We require new teachers to complete 12-week classroom practicum that includes reflective teaching and peer observation workshops before being given their own students.
Professional Development
TESOL is a relatively young field and is constantly changing. In addition, the sign of a true professional is a commitment to continuing education. ELI teachers are required to devote five hours every week to continuing their professional education. This can be peer observations, workshops, discussion groups, conferences or online courses.
Practical Teaching Load
Our full-time teachers are required to spend no more than 20 hours per week in the classroom. This ensures that the quality of instruction they provide is very high and that they also have time to devote to program development, lesson planing, grading, student conferences and continuing education.
Paid Time for Lesson Planning, Grading and Student Conferences
The 20 hours per week when teachers are not in the classroom allows teacher ample time to create dynamic and engaging lessons that meet their needs of their students. They can also use the time to give detailed feedback to students on their work. Finally, our teachers are required to make themselves available a few hours each week to meet with students and discuss any issues they may have. In short, it is the ELI’s philosophy that good teaching begins and ends with the teacher. Inherent in this is the understanding that teachers are not able to meet their fullest potential if they don’t first have the support of their administration to do so.
The American University of Mongolia English Language Institute does not discriminate against non-native speaking teachers. Click here for a 2006 International TESOL position paper on this topic in both English and Mongolian.
