[Sponsored Report] HUFS Tesol graduate courses well rounded

The HUFS Graduate School of Tesol has the “3+1 program” in partnership with the University of Hawaii at Manoa to facilitate international exchanges.

The Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) Graduate School of Tesol recently held an information session for the 2014 spring admission that opened Monday. The session provided information about each department and invited Tesol graduates to describe their experiences and achievements to potential applicants. A Q&A session was also held. The audience included university graduates, teachers, private academy instructors and prospective applicants.

The graduate school was established in 2009 to cultivate professionals in Tesol - or teach English to speakers of other languages - as a response to the fervent demand for proper English education in the era of globalization. It started off with evening master’s degree programs for 30 students in the departments of English Language Teaching (ELT) and ELT Content Development. Then, as the demand for professional English educators grew, the number of students expanded to 45 in 2011.

HUFS said its special teaching methods set it apart from the many other institutions offering Tesol programs. Its curriculum employs the latest ELT techniques to help students become well-versed in innovative technology and multimedia based on theoretical frameworks. A diverse faculty also encourages growth of multidisciplinary professionals in various fields such as ELT techniques, linguistics, material development and more. The school also has state-of-the-art facilities, enabling students to practice lessons in sophisticated studios and computer labs.

As part of the curriculum, students must take Theory & Practice I and II, Lesson Design, Course Design, Intro to LMS (Learning Management System) and more as core classes, and can choose afterward between creating a portfolio or writing a thesis. Taking classes from various departments of ELT and ELT Content Development is encouraged, as students can become adept in both theoretical and practical realms of English education.

There are also opportunities for studying abroad. The “3+1 program” enables students to spend three semesters at HUFS and one at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a prestigious school for language education. Credits acquired in Hawaii will be admitted at HUFS. The program is open to students who have completed more than two semesters and meet certain criteria.

Such differentiated strategies were encouraged by rapid technological advances and the changes that followed in the education environment.

“Sophisticated digital devices have allowed access to abundant information and materials both online and offline, making ubiquitous learning possible. Naturally, teaching English in the uniform way is now old-fashioned,” said a school official. “HUFS Graduate School of Tesol will equip future English educators with high-quality teaching methods by teaching all classes 100 percent in English and providing the country’s only English education program with IT or ICT.”

The admission deadline for the 2014 spring semester is Dec. 2. Interviews will be conducted Dec. 14.