ENGLISH TEACHING MAJOR

This major is designed for students who want an English teaching position.

Description

• The bachelor and licenciatura degrees in English Teaching are designed to prepare its graduates to teach English to speakers of other languages in any environment.
• This program offers training that gives our graduates the advantages of a higher job-placement rate and greater income than those who want quick certificates. When you choose UAM´s program, you will experience how the faculty bring together knowledge and skill from English improvement, education, humanities, literature and technology to equip you for effective service in the growing field of English language instruction in Costa Rica.

 Who is the UAM´s English Teaching Program for?

• Regular students who have a basic-intermediate proficiency in English
• New teachers of English
• English teachers who need a degree
• Teachers of English to adults
• Public and private school teachers

 Why choose UAM´s Program?

• The program is designed to fit your needs as a full-time employee because classes are offered at night and on Saturdays in three different shifts.

• Work with experienced and enthusiastic faculty who are experts in their areas of specialization.
• Free access to English lab during the day and night shifts
• Specialized English classroom with sound system and video beam
• 80% of the English Program is in English Language

 What are the employment opportunities?

• English graduate degrees prepare students for work in a wide range of careers. The obvious career is teaching at secondary education.
• For those who are not interested in secondary education, there is the possibility of teaching at the college level, or in language institutes.
• Another career area is working in writing and editing. The English graduate has experience in independent thinking, creative interpretation and analysis, writing, presenting and documented research. All these skills are useful in business, call centers, real estate, public relations, sales and marketing, management and administration. 
• Many of our graduates decide to earn another graduate degree such as a master degree.

 What will I experience in the program?

• Reading and discussing at higher levels.
• Engaging in literary conversations with faculty and fellow students.

• Using critical pedagogic theory in the analysis of the national situation
• Specialized courses in evaluation and assessment
• Conducting research on different topics.
• Phonetic studies
• Reading and writing in areas of personal interest.
• Applying critical thinking and research skills to workplace assignments and responsibilities.
• Expanding your horizons by working with highly-trained faculty.
• Working with open-minded and curious students of English

 Can I take proficiency tests?

Yes. If you consider you have the level of knowledge to take a one-and-only test for obtaining the credits of certain courses, you can do it. You can ask for it at the Academic Department in the first weeks of each quarter. There is a limit in the quantity of courses you can take in this modality. Ask the academic department for restrictions.

How long will it take me to complete the program?

A full time student can complete the program in 8 quarters for the bachelor degree and 4 more for the licenciatura degree.

We have many part time students as well, who complete the program in more quarters depending on the quantity of courses taken. It is recommended to take at least two courses as minimum per quarter.

 When are classes offered? 

The majority of our classes meet once a week

In the evenings: 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. or

On Saturday in three shifts:

8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(Not all courses are available for all shifts though)

 Can I take classes online?

There are a couple of online classes in our program (habilidades profesionales).  However, the majority of the classes meet on campus.

 Can I transfer credits from other universities?

We accept up to 60% of our program for validation (18 courses)

Only recognized university credits are eligible for transfer. 

Consideration, analysis and formalization of transfer credits are made upon request before or in the first quarter of registration only.

 How do I get certified for MEP?

Upon completion of different levels, you can ask for a certificate or diploma concurrently accepted by Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP) as follows:

“Autorización”: 51 credits, 12 courses (MT-1)

“Suficiencia”: 68 credits, 16 courses (MT-2)

“actitud superior”: 101 credits, 26 courses (MT-3)

Bachelor degree: 133 credits, 32 courses (MT-4)

Licenciatura:   165 credits, 42 courses (MT-5)

 Can I visit campus and meet with a professor?

Yes.  Email englishdept@uam.ac.cr and request a visit. 

 Is there a practical component in the UAM´s program?

Yes.  There is a quarter practicum experience where our students work with existing English teachers in different public institutions.  These practicum experiences usually take place at a local community high school.

 Can I receive financial aid?

UAM does not offer any scholarships for our programs.  However, all students can apply for a government loan through CONAPE.

We offer a monthly payment system (letra de cambio)  that also works for our students.