Field Experience

Field Experience - An optional component of the 12 credit certificate program

Beginning Winter Quarter 2010, S-TESL students will be encouraged to complete ten hours of field experience in an ESOL classroom as part of the 12 credit TESOL certificate program. The verification of the field experience will be submitted to the director. The TESOL student may apply for the verification of field experience at the time of application for the TESOL certificate or separately. At least 12 credits of S-TESL coursework must be completed prior to applying for the field experience component.  

The TESOL student must submit the following:

  • Field experience verification form (completed by host teacher)
  • Reflection sheet
  • Cover sheet
  • A Seattle University transcript of your School of Teaching ESL coursework.

The School of TESL Director will write a letter verifying the specific courses the student completed and the field experience. This letter – in conjunction with the certificate – will be useful to graduates when applying for teaching positions that require evidence of classroom experience.

Download the Field Experience Packet for guidelines, FAQs, and essential forms.

Field Experience FAQs

1. I have had contact time in an ESOL class before I began studying TESOL. Does this count?
No. Experience obtained prior to the start of your STESL certificate program does not count. We will only accept field experienced obtained after you've begun your studies at STESL, and all field experience requirements must be completed within on year of completion of your TESOL certificate courses at STESL.

2. Will my certificate state that I have completed this field experience?
Not directly on the certificate, but students who have completed the field experience will receive a verification form from the host teacher. In addition, students will receive a letter of verification from the director when the certificate is processed.

3. Does S-TESL help students find contact time?
Yes. S-TESL cannot place you, but the school maintains a list of community contacts (see below). During your studies, you may have developed contacts that you can use. If you have questions, please contact the Director, Bernice Ege-Zavala at bezavala@seattleu.edu .

4. Is there a deadline for completion of the field experience?
Yes. Field experience must be completed within one year of completion of TESOL studies.

5. When should I apply?
You may submit your application after you’ve completed at least 12 S-TESL credits. It is recommended you apply for your field experience component at the same time you apply for your certificate.

Resources for volunteer opportunities in the Puget Sound region

King County Library System

Volunteers needed for Conversation-based and other ESL programs. The King County Library System offers many free ESL programs throughout King County. These include Talk Time, Basic ESL, and Citizenship Prep classes. We are looking for volunteers who can commit to at least three or four quarters. Most groups run from September through June. Some free training is available, depending on the program.

If interested, please contact the Literacy and ESL Specialist:
Phone: (425) 369-3454
960 Newport Way NW
Issaquah, WA 98027
Website: www.kcls.org

University Presbyterian Church

4540 15th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Carol Johnson, Director
206.524.7301

Helping Link

P.O. Box 28068
Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: 206. 781.4246
Evenings: 6:00 – 8:00
Weekdays: Tuesday and Thursday

They ask a commitment of 2 hours a week for 6 months

Korean Community Counseling Center

(Woodland Park United Methodist Church Building)
302 NW. 78th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 784-5691
Email: KCCC1983@aol.com

North Seattle Community College ESL Program

Kim Chapman
Phone: (206) 528-4521
Email: Kchapman@sccd.ctc.edu

Refugee Women’s Alliance

Pat Flores, Volunteer Coordinator
4008 Martin Luther King WY S.
Seattle, WA 98108
Phone: (206) 721-8441
Email: pat@REWA.org
Web: www.rewa.org

Salvation Army

Community Center in White Center
9350 16th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98106
Phone: (206)767-3150, ext. 12
Email: stepreilly@hotmail.com

Seattle Goodwill

Betsy McFeely
1400 S. Lane St.
Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: (206) 860-5731
Email: betsym@seattlegoodwill.org
Website: www.seattlegoodwill.org

South Seattle Community College at Holly Park

7058 32nd Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: (206) 723-6822
Email: klysaker@sccd.ctc.edu

Literacy Source

720 N 35th St
Seattle, WA 98103-8816
Phone: (206) 782-2050

St. James ESL Program

Our program focuses on teaching English as a Second Language to refugees and immigrants through individual and small group tutoring. Volunteers receive complete training, and regular ongoing support. In return, we ask volunteers to commit their time and energy to our students and to helping us maintain effective services.
At St. James ESL Program we offer four different programs:
General Tutoring , Enhanced ESL for Visually Impaired & Blind, ESL for Citizenship & ESL for Refugee & Immigrant Mothers.

804 9th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 382-4511

North Seattle Family Center

3200 NE 125th St. Suite #2
Seattle, WA 98125
Phone: (206) 364-7930
Email: nfctr@juno.com

Bellevue Locations

Hopelink-Eastside Literacy

14812 Main Street
Bellevue, WA 98007
Phone: (425) 643-1912

ESL small-group teacher (must attend orientation, complete an interview and training workshops) 2 hours per week (plus planning time)

Must be available on a consistent basis for a minimum of 9 months.

St. Louise’s English for Immigrants Program

Volunteers prepare and file lesson plans, attend occasional meetings, and teach on Monday and Thursday nights. Tutoring experience is helpful. Join a dedicated group of volunteers.

ESL Program Contact
St. Louise Parish
141-156th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
Margie Liberton
Phone: (425) 401-8434

Bellevue College

Volunteers are asked to commit to 2-4 hours per week for a minimum of six months. During this time you will receive training and on-going support and direction from the teachers and staff in the program.
Elaine Nutter
Volunteer Literacy Program
Phone: 425-564-2349
Email: elaine.nutter@bellevuecollege.edu

Shoreline Community College

If you would like to know more about this volunteer program, call Betsy Binnian, Coordinator of Volunteers in ESL/ABE at Shoreline Community College.

For online application visit Shoreline's Volunteer Program ESL/ABE program page.

Betsy Binnian
Phone: (206) 546–6959 E-mail: bbinnian@shoreline.edu

Other Volunteer Opportunities

The web is a great resource for volunteer opportunities, both locally and abroad.

Some volunteer links: