Seattle University College of Education Welcomes Korean ESL Teachers 

Thirty-seven teachers from South Korea are spending four weeks at Seattle University this summer. These elementary and secondary teachers are learning instructional pedagogy from an American point of view and polishing their skills as teachers of English as a second language. Dr. Jian Yang, program director for the SU TESOL program (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and Associate Dean, Dr. Susan Ellen Bacon, designed the program with faculty at Keimyung University Foreign Language Institute Division of International Education in Daegu, Korea.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of their development and growth as teachers,” says Dr. Bacon. “Seattle is a perfect city for an international learning experience, and we would like to bring future groups to our campus.”

The four-week immersion course at SU is the culmination of a three-month course for the teachers. They are living in residence halls on campus and have participated in scheduled activities such as a Duck Tour of Seattle and a visit to nearby Northwest School. Many have also toured the city and some have also ventured to Vancouver, B.C. They attend classes, many taught by SU TESOL alumni, Monday through Friday. They will complete the course on August 16.

This is the first program of its kind hosted by the College of Education. For more information about the TESOL program, please contact Dr. Yang at 206-296-6170.