Korean Educators Complete ESL Training Program

Korean ESL students at Kennesaw State CCPEA group of 23 visiting Korean English teachers recently earned their English as a Second Language (ESL) certificates from Kennesaw State University’s College of Continuing and Professional Education. The program, created between the Georgia Department of Education and the International Teacher Training Institute, brings elementary and secondary teachers from Korea to the Atlanta area to gain experience in the American school setting in both public and private elementary and secondary schools. Pictured above is the group of students at the December 11 graduation ceremony with Languages Program Director Lyn Cohen (front row center).

The intensive 8-day ESL course gave these teachers an opportunity to discuss, reflect, and write about their impressions of the two education systems. The course featured a lecture by Dr. Jan Nourollahi, a professor in the teacher training program at Southern Polytechnic State University who discussed the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education program.

The students enjoyed a tour of the Kennesaw State University campus and delighted in the variety of items offered in the KSU Bookstore as well as lunch at The Commons, Kennesaw State’s nationally recognized dining hall. As avid coffee-drinkers, the Koreans enjoyed the opportunity to sample the coffees offered to students as well as typical American fare. They also attended the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s holiday celebration, Donuts and Notes, where they offered greetings to the attendees in Korean.

A second group of Korean educators will attend a new session starting in January.

For more information on the program, contact Lyn Cohen, program manager, at wcohen@kennesaw.edu, call 770-423-6765 or visit us online at ccpe.kennesaw.edu/esl.