Concordia College

Overseas Student Teachers

About:
Overseas teaching can be highly beneficial for students looking to enhance their independence, self awareness and global understanding. Since the overseas student teaching program began in 1989, Concordia students have taught in Spain, England, France Australia, Nepal, Costa Rica and more. Typically, students are placed in private schools that teach British or American curriculums in English, though many other countries are represented in the student body.

Once a student is placed at a school, arrangements are made for housing. Expenses for housing, as well as meals and transportation, generally range from $200-$250 per week.

Eligibility and Application:
The department only accepts highly motivated and qualified students into overseas student teaching programs. In addition to the requirements stated in the Admission and Retention Policy for all student teachers, the department recommends a GPA of at least 3.0 before applying, along with a demonstrated ability to function independently with a limited amount of on-site supervision.

Students must then write an essay that includes their name and major, the site where they want to teach and reasons for why they want to teach there. Students in secondary or K-12 education need additional letters of support from their department chair and special methods teacher (see below).

This application packet should be returned to Dr. Michael Wohlfeil, the coordinator of overseas student teaching. Students will be notified of their acceptance to the program promptly.

Students teaching in Europe or the Pacific Region are expected to complete the World Discoveries 150 (Study Abroad - Orientation) course prior to beginning their student teaching.

Letters of Support:
Because overseas student teachers must be able to function with a limited amount of supervision, students will not be accepted into the overseas student teaching program unless the major department feels that the student is independent, sufficiently proficient in the major and can work with relatively little on-site supervision.

Letters from professors in the major department do not have to be extensive, but should indicate thoughts about the applicant’s ability to do well overseas.

Letters should be e-mailed Dr. Michael Wohlfeil or Dr. Debra Grosz, or included in the student’s application packet.

Overseas Student Teaching Requirements:
1. At a minimum, you should send weekly e-mails to Dr. Debra Grosz. These updates should describe the school, the teachers, the students and your teaching with detail.

2. The first correspondence must include the detailed address of the school, a detailed home address, phone numbers of both the school and your home, and a fax number (if available). It should also include the names of all teachers involved.

3. You should obtain as much written feedback as possible during student teaching, using the standard college forms or any other form with which the cooperating teachers are comfortable.

4. You should have as many people as possible complete the Student Teaching Evaluation Form. These forms should be brought home rather than mailed. This is possibly the most critical aspect of this experience.

5. If you have access to a video camera, you should video tape at least one lesson and bring the video home. Concordia’s Television Center can convert any form of video used.

6. Upon return, you should give Dr. Michael Wohlfeil two photos – one of you teaching and one of your school. These are for Concordia to keep.