Via Lingua

Via Lingua International is partnering with the following charities to provide educational resources and tools for students and teachers around the world.

NEWS

Via Lingua at Bellarmine University, May 2013

Via Lingua is proud to announce its first TEFL program hosted by Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky starting in May! Our trainees will be carrying out their practice teaching in cooperation with the Migration and Refugee Services Program of Catholic Charities in the city.

Via Lingua at the upcoming 65th NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in St. Louis, Missouri!

Via Lingua will be attending the upcoming 65th NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in Houston, Texas, from May 26 - 31, 2013. Thomas Shandorf, Managing Director of the Via Lingua Group, will be presenting a session on international students and their cultural adaptation in educational programs entitled "Global Issues and World Organizations" with Sharyn Moore, a member of the Via Lingua Advisory Board.

Via Lingua International announces the 2013 Winner of the "Ernestine Moore" Scholarship

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2013 "Ernestine Moore" Scholarship for tuition. We received many outstanding submissions and the choice of topics and written expression were superb! Our winning selection described the close relationship between civic engagement and language teaching in developing countries. It captured the spirit of Ernestine’s life with at-risk children and families. We congratulate the winner and gratefully acknowledge all those who took time to participate!

Via Lingua opens a new center in Costa Rica!

Via Lingua is pleased to announce the opening of our newest TEFL Training Center in Costa Rica. Located in Tamarindo, the center offers an extraordinary opportunity to combine learning with exploring nature at its finest. Long considered one of the most beautiful and protected environments in the world. Costa Rica welcomes you with perfect weather all year. Opportunities to learn Spanish are also available.

Our school is located just 150 meters from the beach and is situated in a tropical garden. On the premises students can find three buildings and two ranchos (open air huts). There are several classrooms, a cafeteria and snack bar, and free high speed wireless internet. Students can enjoy the local wildlife, including iguanas and tropical birds all while listening to the ocean!

Globals Generation Focuses On Experience

http://www.npr.org/2012/07/10/156463825/globals-generation-focuses-on-experience

Via Lingua at the upcoming 64th NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in Houston, Texas!

Via Lingua will be attending the upcoming 64th NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in Houston, Texas, from May 27 to June 1, 2012. Thomas Shandorf, Managing Director of the Via Lingua Group, will be presenting a session on international students and their cultural adaptation in educational programs entitled “Building Bridges to Global Citizenship" with Sharyn Moore, a member of the Advisory Board.

Via Lingua International announces the 2012 Winner of the "Ernestine Moore" Scholarship

We are delighted to announce the award for the 2012 "Ernestine Moore" Scholarship for tuition. A high number of submissions made the selection both motivating and challenging! The winning essay described a love for language and the power of teaching that matched the spirit and work of Ernestine’s life with at-risk children and families. Here is a short excerpt in answer to our question, "Why I want to become an English teacher..."
"Everyday there is a newness and need for flexibility, as the students and teacher constantly ask questions and redefine objectives in order to find their voice in the language...people have a chance to empathize with the subjects they influence…in and out of the classroom."

We have also awarded two Honorable Mentions for submissions that depicted outstanding personal and professional reflection.

Graduate credits available for MATESOL Program at St. Michael’s College!

Via Lingua International is proud to announce a new educational partnership with St. Michael’s College, Vermont; which allows all Via Lingua graduates to earn credits toward the MATESOL degree offered there, and includes flexible attendance options on campus. Its long history of dedicated service to education and, specifically, TESOL, makes this institution an excellent environment for further study for those continuing on in the field.

Via Lingua International is proud to announce its newest partnership in Morocco!

Via Lingua International is proud to announce its newest partnership in Morocco! We are delighted to announce that our TEFL Programs will be available in Morocco starting in 2012, with locations in Rabat and Marrakesh together with The American Cultural Association (ACA). This is the not-for-profit, bi-national parent organization of the American Language Centers (ALC) in Morocco, which teach English as a foreign language. With 10 ALCs around the country, the ACA can boast a work force of more than 300 teachers and approximately 200 administrative support and staff members made up of many nationalities and people of of all ages. The American Language Centers are the first choice for English language learners in Morocco, and our student body represents every facet of Moroccan culture in both age and background and also includes people of other nationalities who may live and work in Morocco. The reason for this diversity is that the ALCs attract the best in teachers and students alike by offering truly unique experiences to both. By offering our TEFL Certification Programs in Morocco, Via Lingua International will be able to provide outstanding training and cultural experiences to our students, along with exciting and rewarding employment opportunities.

Via Lingua at the upcoming 63rd NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in Vancouver, Canada

Via Lingua will be attending the upcoming 63rd NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference in Vancouver, Canada from May 29 – June 3, 2010. Thomas Shandorf, Managing Director of the Via Lingua Group, will be presenting a session on international students and their cultural adaptation in educational programs enttitled "Global Citizenry: Understanding and Resolving Conflict" with Sharyn Moore, a member of the Advisory Board.

Via Lingua at the upcoming 45th TESOL Convention in New Orleans

Via Lingua Managing Director, Thomas Shandorf, will be presenting at the upcoming 45th TESOL Convention and Exhibit entitled "Examining the 'E' in TESOL" to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, March 17-19, 2011. The title of the presentation is "Global Citizenry" and he will be joined by Prof. Sharyn Moore, a member of the Via Lingua International Advisory Board. The presenters illustrate a series of activities that lead students to practice the process of understanding and resolving conflict. The reproducible resources, drawn from public and private organizations, integrate reading, research, writing, discussion, role-playing, and debate. A final project focuses on students' insights and their commitment to global citizenry.

Via Lingua International announces the 2011 Winner of the "Ernestine Moore" Scholarship!

Via Lingua is proud to award the 2011 "Ernestine Moore" Scholarship for tuition at our Florence center. A record number of submissions made the selection very challenging! The winning essay captured the special spirit and empathy of Ernestine’s life and work with needy children and families. Here is a short excerpt in answer to our question, "Why I want to become an English teacher".

Multiculturalism for me is a constant exchange of gifts and talents. This is the reason why I believe learning a language is a holistic process. I see it at as a creative process that unleashes both our rational and more intuitive aspects. It is an awakening to uncovered cultural backgrounds and to the richness of diversity.

Through the knowledge of languages we create a base for multicultural understanding.

We develop more opportunities to graciously slide through the barriers of differences becoming more aware and sensitive to the values they embody. The proper familiarity with a language enlarges our compass, our possibility to reach far out and yet still feel a sense of belonging.

Via Lingua International featured in the latest edition of the College of Teachers Newsletter, September/October 2010

See PDF

Via Lingua International is proud to promote the upcoming TESOL Week in Rome, Italy!

The Head Moderator of the Via Lingua TEFL Group, Alison Rice, will be leading TESOL seminars in Rome! You are invited to participate in a wonderful introduction to the field of TESOL with Via Lingua’s Moderation Director. Alison heads the ELT Institute at Hunter College, City University of New York! See PDF.

Via Lingua International is proud to announce the opening of a new center in Arequipa, Peru.

Led by Chris Larsen, the Via Lingua TEFL Program will be offered at a dynamic and contemporary English Center in Peru’s second largest city. Known for its natural beauty, the city is also a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Via Lingua at the upcoming 62nd NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in Kansas City, Missouri

Via Lingua will be attending the upcoming 62nd NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference in Kansas City, Missouri from May 30 – June 4, 2010. Thomas Shandorf, Managing Director of the Via Lingua Group, will be presenting a session on international students and their cultural adaptation in educational programs.

http://www.nafsa.org/

Via Lingua International TEFL Course Accredited by Prestigious College of Teachers, United Kingdom

Our TEFL course is now accredited by the College of Teachers, England. Our course has been accredited as the Advanced Course TESOL. The College of Teachers' qualifications are independently valid and stand alongside the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). This qualification is assessed at NQF - Level 5, FHEQ I

The College of Teachers (www.collegeofteachers.ac.uk) is a highly respected body and the British Council (www.britishcouncil.org) recognizes the College of Teachers, University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, Trinity College, London, and UK universities as validating bodies.

Via Lingua at the upcoming 44th TESOL Convention in Boston

Via Lingua Managing Director, Thomas Shandorf, will be presenting at the upcoming 44th TESOL Convention and Exhibit entitled "Re-imagining TESOL" to be held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, March 24-27, 2010. The title of the presentation is "Identifying Strategies for Addressing Student Stressors at School and Beyond," and he will be joined by Prof. Sharyn Moore, a member of the Via Lingua International Advisory Board.

Via Lingua Announces Scholarship Winner

Via Lingua is pleased to announce that the 2009 “Ernestine Moore Scholarship” has been awarded for a free TEFL Training program in Florence. The winner submitted an essay entitled “Inspiring the Global World Through English Teaching” which offered a unique insight into the need for and value of qualified, dedicated ESL instruction. The Selection Committee was honoured to review the creative submissions of so many prospective TEFL candidates!

Via Lingua Florence partners with Boston Educational Services to offer the iTEP Examination

Via Lingua Florence is proud to announce that it has become a Testing Center for the International Test of English Proficiency® — iTEP®. This innovative test delivers accurate, reliable English proficiency assessment in only 90 minutes and is used throughout the world by businesses, universities, English language institutes, and government agencies. In keeping with the best evaluative tools worldwide, it is recognized for its accuracy and reliability and demonstrates a high degree of statistical consistency and predictive validity. Its five sections are well structured to measure both an individual's overall proficiency, as well as his or her ability in each of the subject areas tested.

Via Lingua introduces new global job web site

Via Lingua has launched a new web site with all currently available TEFL jobs around the world! Visit us at http://www.tefl-info.com

Via Lingua 43^rd Annual TESOL Conference Participation!

The Managing Director of Via Lingua International, Thomas Shandorf, will be presenting at the upcoming 43rd Annual TESOL Conference “Uncharted Mountains Forging New Pathways” in Denver, Colorado, March 26-28, 2009, with Sharyn Moore, a member of the Via Lingua Advisory Board. Their presentation is entitled "Global Voices of Poetry". See description below.

International students who focus primarily on the mechanics of the language can be encouraged to see poetry as an opportunity not only to review structure and build vocabulary, but also to create a forum for intense conversation and cultural interchange.
The following poetic activities for communicative interaction and word manipulation will clarify how poetry can build student confidence and pleasure in creative expression.

Thomas will also be conducting a concurrent session at CATESOL 2009 (The California State TESOL Conference) in Pasadena, California, April 16-19, 2009, with Sharyn Moore, a member of the Via Lingua Advisory Board, entitled “Identifying Strategies for Addressing Student Stressors at School and Beyond.”

Via Lingua Moderating Body Partners with Pearson Longman for TEFL Training!

Pearson Longman Offers Innovative Online Training for English Language Educators
Teacher Development Interactive Provides Certificate of Completion from Hunter College

New York, NY - December 5, 2008 - A new online, video-based professional development program offers English Language (EL) teachers a dynamic way to learn and improve skills through a series of interactive modules combining classroom demonstrations, video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, supplemental readings, online discussions, and quizzes.

Teacher Development Interactive, from Pearson Longman, provides EL teachers a strong foundation in teaching methodology. Upon successful completion of four modules, students receive a world recognized certificate of completion from the English Language Teaching Institute (ELTI) of Hunter College, City University of New York, one of the oldest and most respected universities in the U.S.

This flexible program is available in two versions, self-study and teacher-led. Self-study is for teachers intending to study independently. They are able to follow the course at their own pace, and can monitor their progress electronically. The teacher-led version is for institutions wishing to administer the course to a group of teachers.

Modules focus on key areas of importance to EL teachers. The first four include Fundamentals of ELT, Speaking, Reading, and Listening. Each module consists of approximately 15-18 hours of content, and is "hosted" by a well-known author, researcher, or teacher trainer in the field of ELT.

"As a global solutions provider, we are excited to introduce a flexible, affordable program for teachers. They watch real teaching techniques in action, and learn from experts who deliver both the theory and practice of language teaching," said Joanne Dresner, President, Pearson English Language Learning Solutions.

"Teachers, whether newcomers or experienced, will benefit from this high quality professional development program. Presented in a lively, interactive way, this course truly demonstrates ELT best practices," commented Alison Rice, Director ELT Institute, Hunter College. For further information, visit http://www.teacherdevelopmentinteractivetdi.com/

50 years in Florence

The Via Lingua Center in Florence, Italy, at the American Langauge Center, is celebrating its 50th anniversary and commemorating its foundings through a series of events all year in collaboration with local and national authorities. The center was originally founded by USIS in 1959!

Via Lingua in the Middle East

Via Lingua Internatinoal is pleased to announce the development and opening of its first in-country TEFL Certification Program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The TEFL Certification courses will be available through selected language centers and open to native speakers and international educators seeking to expand their TEFL Training and Career Development.

Training Partnership with Virginia Tech University

Via Lingua is proud to announce the first in a series of Professional Training Seminars in collaboration with the English Language Institute of Virginia Tech University (http://www.eli.vt.edu), to be held on May 20th, 2008. Ms. Keiran Hilu, the ELI Academic Coordinator will be presenting a Training Seminars at the Via Lingua Center in Florence, Italy, for Via Lingua Trainers and area teachers on the following topic: "Adapting the Fluency First Approach to Academic Programs." Future Professional Training Seminars will include: "Integrating Computer-Assisted Learning" and "Preparing for the IbT TOEFL Test."

Founded in 1977, the English Language Institute prepares international students seeking admission to Virginia Tech and other U.S. colleges and universities through a rigorous program of intensive English training. Through its work, the Institute increases the quality and diversity of the Virginia Tech student population and enables outstanding international candidates to meet English language admission requirements. The English Language Institute is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs, an organization of accredited English language programs supporting ethical and professional standards for other such programs throughout the United States.

The English Language Institute of Virginia Tech is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) through April 2008 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S.
Founded in 1872, Virginia Tech is the largest and most comprehensive university in Virginia and among the top research universities in the US, with enrollment of more than 26,000 students on the Blacksburg campus, including 2000 international students representing more than 110 countries.
Virginia Tech's undergraduate engineering and cooperative education and internship programs are rated among the top 15 in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges 2008.

For further information, please contact info@vialingua.org, call toll-free in the US (888) 835-6207 or in the UK (44) 203-004-0943.
To request an information pack either by email or regular mail, please use our infopack request form.
If you would like a member of our staff to call you at your home, at a time convenient to you, in order to discuss any particular queries you may have before making a decision about where and whether you take a TEFL course, please fill out a callback request form.
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