| Program StrengthsCEDEI enrolls over 900 Ecuadorian students in English classes year round. They are taught by a staff of 40 teachers. The school is well known in Cuenca and has strong community ties. TEFL students are encouraged to observe EFL classes at CEDEI and also to interact with experienced teachers. All the staff are exceptionally friendly, helpful and more than willing to give advice to newcomers. Almost every English speaking country is represented on the staff, and whether you are from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom or New Zealand, you will probably find a fellow compatriot at CEDEI. CEDEI's TEFL instructors are well-qualified, dedicated professionals who offer their expertise and real life experiences to aspiring TEFL teachers. They have traveled widely and have taught overseas in a variety of countries. Our instructors delight in bringing their extensive life and teaching experiences to the TEFL classroom; they also provide a constant source of encouragement, knowledge and international contacts to our TEFL students. Dr. Beatrice Jacobson BA, English, Seton Hall University; MA, English, Penn State University; PhD, English, University of Iowa Currently, Bea is Professor of English and Director of Women's Studies at St. Ambrose University. Previously, she taught English and Women's Studies and Director of the Reading/Writing Center at Augustana College. She has worked with CEDEI since 1992, studying Spanish, bringing study abroad programs, teaching English and TEFL. She also serves on CEDEI's Board of Directors. "I value the opportunity to acquaint students with the Andean world. My work with CEDEI and with TEFL in particular enables me to continue growing, personally and professionally, responding to situations and questions that enrich the rest of my work in the US, and my life as well." Contact Bea: bjacobson@cedei.org Dr. Kathleen McInerney BA, MA, SUNY College at Fredonia; PhD, University of Iowa Kathleen is Associate Professor of Bilingual Education at Chicago State University and has been an Associate Professor of English at CSU. Prior to her position at Chicago State, she taught in the English Department and Reading/Writing Center at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. Her research interests include critical literacy, culture and schooling, and diaspora and immigrant literature, including Irish Studies. Her publications include work on assessment, teaching English and Irish-American women's literature. Kathleen's teaching life has focused on mentoring student teachers of English and Spanish, teaching methodology courses, and working with children in schools as well as adult learners. She also has extensive experience teaching in Latin America. Kathleen considers Cuenca her second home, and the CEDEI community her extended family. Contact Kathleen kmcinerney@cedei.org CEDEI's staff and TEFL instructors have widespread experience in schools, companies and universities throughout the world. Every TEFL student is encouraged to take full advantage of the human and technological resources at CEDEI in order to make well informed career choices. Many TEFL graduates start their teaching careers at CEDEI within days of finishing the TEFL course, thus making a smooth transition from student to teacher. Its warm and collegial atmosphere makes CEDEI a wonderful place to start a teaching career. We therefore encourage our TEFL graduates to gain practical experience in our structured, supportive and professional environment. Since the TEFL students mix daily with the CEDEI staff and language students, there is ample opportunity to discuss teaching possibilities in many different countries. | | |