What makes this program special?
This program offers students the opportunity to learn in a laboratory-like setting: They take classes and live in a location where English is a second or foreign language for most residents. In addition, those students who qualify are given the opportunity to apply what they learn in their courses by teaching undergraduate courses as they earn their degree.
Can I teach while I earn my degree?
Yes, as a graduate student in the MA program in TESL at the San Germán Campus of IAUPR, you are given the opportunity to acquire practical experience while you earn your degree. This experience consists of teaching one or more undergraduate ESL courses independently under the supervision and guidance of a teacher trainer.
Before you can be assigned a class, you must also turn in the following documents to the Department of Languages and Literatures.
- A letter to the Director of the Department of Languages and Literatures in which you indicate that you are interested in teaching as a graduate assistant. Indicate what, if any, experience you have teaching.
- Official (original) university transcripts sent directly to the Department of Languages and Literatures. (These are in addition to the ones sent to the Graduate Admissions Office when you applied.)
- Resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Photocopy of your birth certificate
- Photocopy of your Social Security card
- Photocopy of your driver’s license
- Health certificate (There is no standard form for this. It entails a doctor certifying that you are in good health to teach.)
- Certificate of good conduct
On arrival, the secretary will provide the following documents:
- Job application form
- Income tax exemption form
- I-9 form
All of the documents on the list should be sent to the following address:
Inter American University of Puerto Rico
San Germán Campus
Department of Languages and Literatures
P.O. Box 5100
San Germán, PR 00683
How do I get to San Germán?
You can fly from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Mayagüez, which is a 30-minute drive to San Germán. You can rent a car at the airport and drive into San Germán.
If you do not wish to fly into Mayagüez, you can either rent a car at the airport in San Juan, or take a “public car” or taxi to San Germán, a ride which usually takes approximately two to three hours. One public car company that provides service between San Juan and San Germán is the Linea San Germeña. From Monday to Saturday, they make two daily trips from the airport to San Germán. Passengers should call (787) 722-3392 on arrival to the airport and arrange for pick up. The first vehicle begins picking up passengers at 11:00 a.m. and leaves for San German around 1:30 when it is full. The second vehicle picks up passengers from about 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. If you go on one of these two scheduled trips, the charge is about $25 per person. You can also arrange for a vehicle to take you at another hour, but the charge will be about $125 for the entire car. For more information and reservations, call the above number, or the company office in San Germán (787) 892-1076.
Contact the Program Coordinator at MA-TESL before you come and she may be able to help you by giving you more detailed information on how you can get to the campus.
What about housing?
Most graduate students live off campus and rent houses, apartments or individual rooms. Housing is also available in the university’s dormitories. For information about the dorms, contact the Residence Hall Administrator at (787) 264-1912, extension 7300 or 7301.
What is San German like?
San Germán is a fairly small and quiet town with a population of about 40,000. It is one of the oldest and most attractive towns on the island. It is close to the west coast beaches, which are among the most beautiful on the island. The closest beaches are a 20-minute drive. The campus itself is perhaps the most beautiful campus on the island. It is situated on the rolling hills of a forest that covers over 200 acres.
How can I get more information?
Is there anything else you would like to know that is not addressed here? If you have any additional questions about the program, contact the program coordinator, Dr. Carol Moe, at ma.tesl@intersgprod.azurewebsites.net. If you would like to communicate directly with graduate students in the program, ask the coordinator to send you the names and e-mail addresses of students. They can tell you about their own experiences teaching and learning here at the San Germán Campus of Inter American University of Puerto Rico. They can also give you advice on housing, financial aid, and other issues not presented here.
For more information about Puerto Rico see the following section which contains links that deal with the island.