Is this a good TESOL program?

Work Teaching English in Taiwan
1

Help!

I have a question about TESOL programs.* A friend of mine has been accepted to Columbia University’s Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program in TESOL for the summer term (this summer, and classes begin very soon, I believe).

Her cost will be about us$10,000, including airfaire, and 8 weeks of her time, spent in NYC, USA. In return she will be matriculated in 6 courses and receive the certificate in August this year.

She’s a native Taiwanese, an engineer who intends to switch careers and to teach English here, but I’m not sure exactly how definite her plans are.

Q1: Is the Columbia program one that is recognized in Taiwan or China? That is, does it carry any “clout” or “brand power” that would hasten a payback on her investment?

Q2: Would getting a certificate from some UK university here be a better alternative?

Any help would be much appreciated!

*–I have briefly searched forumosa.com for information about TESOL programs, but I didnt’ learn anything about Columbia’s program, and that’s my real concern here.

2

Gosh, it all depends on what her plans are. If she

3

How in the world do they expect anyone – let alone a non-native English speaker – do six complete university courses in that length of time??

Keep in mind that room and board will eat up a good deal of the US$10K (if in fact that amount includes room and board; if not, then be ready to add on another couple of thousand).

4

They probably mean you get six credits for the program. Six credits was one class at my university, and one class is reasonable for a summer program.