Maybe you’re new to teaching in Arizona and your human resources manager or representative just told you that you need a 45-hour Structured English Immersion course. He maybe he knew it the whole time he was in his teacher preparation program and put it off as long as he could.
Either way, if you’re reading this article, you probably need an SEI class ASAP and are looking for one that actually teaches you something that you can use with your students. You might even be looking for the most painless way to accomplish this.
Characteristics of the SEI Program
First, I want to share what Arizona Structured English Immersion is and what it is not. Let’s start with what it is not. This could help you save a lot of time and frustration as you work your way through the requirement.
What SEI in Arizona It is not-
- It does not apply to the approval requirements of the other two states that have Sheltered or Structured English Immersion: MA and CA. Each state has its own way of addressing your needs.
- It is not English as a Second Language or Bilingual Education.
- It is not a linguistic immersion in the strictest sense, as we might think of French immersion or dual language immersion.
What SEI in AZ it is-
- It is a great way to learn how to teach English language learners.
- It is a focused time to give students a great start in English at their level.
- It helps you understand how to reach English learners if you are teaching in a regular classroom, without feeling like you have to teach two different programs.
What to consider before choosing an SEI course
Before signing up for a Structured English support class, the two most important things to consider are 1) your schedule for taking the course and 2) what your learning style is.
Chronology: If you only have a week or two to finish the course, are a busy parent, or want to get started but don’t want to do the course on a schedule, you may want to consider a true self-paced online course. . This will give you the flexibility to have control over the time it takes to complete the SEI course requirement.
learning style: Do you enjoy interacting with other teachers from around the state, hearing their ideas, and learning together? If so, attend an interactive face-to-face course. On the other hand, if you like to use a computer to get things done, definitely choose an online class!
Either way, be sure to choose a company that is approved by the State Board of Education. As good as a course can be, nobody wants to do it twice.
Finally, make sure you choose a training company that teaches you research-based strategies to get your students where they are without the guesswork. You will feel safe and your students will succeed!