A Deeper Look
The University Teaching Program is ELIC’s flagship program, with teachers serving in China, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam and Myanmar.
Our commitment is to send the most dedicated, passionate, committed and engaging teachers. This commitment has enabled us to teach with excellence and to build bridges of friendship in Asia for thirty rewarding years. Opportunities abound outside of class to interact with students who will seek you out to practice English, learn your culture and talk about matters of the heart. These students can become life-long friends. If you think this opportunity resonates with your own heart, and if you have a yearning to be a part of something much bigger than yourself, we want to talk with you.
Teachers commit to a minimum of two years of service at a university. Those aged 50 and above may commit to a single academic year.
Most of our universities are teacher’s colleges, technical universities and comprehensive (liberal arts and sciences) universities. ELIC provides English teachers for colleges and universities throughout Asia at the invitation of country governments. ELIC teachers are hired by colleges and universities to be a part of the existing structure and curriculum of the school. A bachelor’s degree is required to teach in all five countries.
ELIC has been training and sending qualified teachers with native like English fluency to Asia for three decades.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ELIC is very committed to the professional development of our teachers and staff. Because of this we offer a wide variety of opportunities to develop and grow professionally. All incoming teachers begin with a comprehensive orientation to teaching and culture that includes a TEFL Certificate from Wheaton College. From there, opportunities for professional development can be tailored to individual needs. Below you will find some of these options.
EARN A TEFL CERTIFICATE FROM WHEATON COLLEGE
One of the hallmarks of our organization and program is the unparalleled quality of training provided. All new teachers earn a TEFL Certificate from Wheaton College prior to entering the classroom. This training includes an introduction to teaching English as a foreign language, Asian culture and communication, and a post-course practicum component and is designed to ensure that each teacher arrives in the classroom well equipped for a rewarding teaching experience. Seminars on key aspects of culture, building relationships with students and team dynamics are some of the additional training components designed to ensure a satisfying and positive experience in Asia. For those teachers planning to pursue one of the available master’s degrees, this TEFL Certificate can be taken for credit and the credits will transfer to our degrees offered through both Wheaton College.
EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE FROM WHEATON COLLEGE
This innovative program, offered by ELIC’s University Teaching Program, allows participants to enjoy a fulfilling teaching experience in Asia while simultaneously earning their Master’s level graduate degree. Since ELIC desires to equip its teachers for fruitful and effective long-term service in Asia, this graduate program is available to provide the tools necessary for our teachers to become the most effective teachers possible. Presently we offer a master’s degree from Wheaton College.
M.A. Intercultural Studies and TESOL — from Wheaton College Click here for more info.
Through a special arrangement with our partnering institutions, ELIC is able to offer reduced tuition costs by approximately 40% off the normal on-campus rate. The cost of tuition, along with incidental expenses such as books, room and board, and summer travel to and from their chosen institution, becomes a part of the teacher profile and is covered through the teacher’s financial support.
Teachers complete the coursework in three different settings: intensive on-campus summer sessions, intensive mid-winter break sessions in Thailand taught by faculty from the institution offering the degree, and distance learning courses completed in Asia while teaching. The intensive summer and winter sessions also include pre-class assignments most often completed in respective teaching contexts.
Enrollment in the MA program requires application and acceptance by both ELIC’s University Teaching Program and the educational institution offering the degree. As ELIC teachers are required to complete at least two semesters of teaching in Asia with ELIC prior to beginning their graduate coursework, it is recommended that they complete their application while in Asia six months prior to starting their degree.
EARN GRADUATE LEVEL CREDIT (Post M.A.) in TEACHER MENTORING and/or MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT
ELIC offers two additional professional development opportunities in TEFL to further enhance professional growth and effectiveness on the field. The Teacher Mentoring Certificate is designed to help experienced classroom teachers become effective in mentoring younger teachers. Each year those enrolled in this certificate are offered the opportunity to travel to North East India to mentor teachers in training. A second certificate focuses on Materials Development. Teachers enrolled in this specialization receive professional mentoring in designing and producing effective classroom materials and texts.
Both advanced specializations have been developed in conjunction with Wheaton College.
EARN A Ph.D. FROM BIOLA UNIVERSITY
For those who have served effectively in Asia and who have a continued long-term mindset, ELIC offers two Ph.D. degrees through a partnership with Biola University. These two degree options are in Inter-Cultural Education and Inter-Cultural Studies.
TAILORED MASTERS AND POST GRADUATE DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES
A number of our teachers and staff have been granted study leave to pursue other master’s degree or Ph.D. study options designed to enhance the effectiveness of their work.
LANGUAGE STUDY OPTIONS
Our experience over three decades of Asia service has been that learning the language aids significantly in adjustment to a new culture and in being able to work effectively with students in their cultural context. Because of this, we are strong advocates of language study. Language study typically follows at least one year of teaching. Among various language study opportunities in each of our countries of service, we have developed a highly-regarded language program on the campus of a Chinese university. One or two year study plans are available.
GRADUATE STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT GRANT
ELIC offers a Legacy Track for those beginning with the University Teaching Program who make a long-term commitment from the outset. Participants in the Legacy Track who have previously graduated from programs and institutions compatible with ELIC’s vision are eligible to apply for a student loan repayment grant for eligible outstanding student loans taken in conjunction with those degrees. This grant is renewable annually over the first 4 years of service in Asia with ELIC. Limited funds are available for this grant opportunity.
Qualifications for the University Teaching Program
COMMITTED CHRISTIAN
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
ELIC requires a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in any field of study.
NATIVE-LIKE ENGLISH FLUENCY
Our role is to serve the countries and universities where we have been invited to teach and they have contracted with us to send qualified teachers with native-like English fluency. Ultimately it is the Ministry of Education or the individual institutions that make a final determination of acceptance.
APTITUDE FOR TEACHING
Although previous teaching experience is not required, ELIC is looking for individuals who have an aptitude and desire for teaching. We provide comprehensive and outstanding training for all teachers prior to arrival in the classroom. For the University Teaching Program this training includes a graduate level TEFL Certificate.
COMMITTED TO SERVE IN A TEAM ENVIRONMENT
ELIC teachers serve in a team environment and must be committed to maintaining a positive and successful working relationship with their teammates.