Experience Teaching ESL in Ecuador from Penn State College of Education on Vimeo.

Teaching English Language Learners 

Summer 2021 Virtual Teaching Experience

Penn State offers an exciting alternative to the ESL certificate program offered on campus. The ESL certificate can now be completed with a field teaching experience abroad. The immersion program includes courses at Penn State University Park and at the Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador for a summer intensive study experience. Typically, the program is completed in one calendar year, beginning in January and ending in August. So that teachers can participate from a distance, courses on the Penn State University Park campus are scheduled during weekend sessions and complemented by online learning. In late June, the group travels to Ecuador's Andean highlands for an intensive five-week culture and language immersion and practice teaching experience.

For Summer 2021, we offer a virtual teaching practicum and modified course sequence. Go here for more information 

Scholarship Funding Now Available! 

For Summer 2021 virtual program, the application process is simple. Just go to the Application page and complete it. You should also be in touch with Elizabeth Smolcic (eas260@psu.edu) to learn about course registration and program dates and opportunities to support you financially in this program.

For Summer 2022, to apply, please complete the application form and submit the necessary documents as instructed on the How to Apply page during Fall 2021.

Read Penn State's newswire articles about the TESL program:

• College of Education student earns Erickson Discovery Grant
• Unique program helps Penn State students become citizens of the world as they teach English in Ecuador
• Research examines how study abroad preps teachers for diverse student population
• Ecuador Cultural Immersion for Education Students
• Penn State program offers ESL teaching experience in Ecuador
• Learning the Language: Student Spends Summer in Ecuador Teaching English

Related Web Sites

• Universidad de Cuenca
• Universidad de Loja
• Penn State Department of Applied Linguistics Academic Programs
• Penn State College of Education ESL Certification Program
• Teaching ESL page on Facebook