Professional Certificate in English Language Teaching (PCELT)

Amideast, the largest American provider of English language training in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has partnered with World Learning/SIT Graduate Institute — a U.S.-based global leader in teacher education—to launch a unique certificate program for teachers of English.

Representing over 100 years’ experience in education, the two prestigious nonprofit organizations have joined forces to meet the growing demand in the Arab world for quality training in English language teaching and provide current and future teachers with the first  American-accredited teacher training program available throughout the region.

English language teachers--and particularly certified, expert English language teachers--are in high demand worldwide. With English language proficiency increasingly linked to better opportunities for youth and improved business performance in the MENA, the need for qualified teachers is now more critical than ever. PCELT directly addresses this need by training informed, analytical, and up-to-date teachers prepared to impact learners of all ages and backgrounds with different language goals. PCELT has a flexible, adaptable design that takes into account the many different language classroom environments and the everyday realities of teachers in a complex and rapidly changing world.

What is PCELT?

PCELT is an internationally-recognized TESOL certificate developed by Amideast and World Learning/SIT Graduate Institute to be delivered through Amideast’s network of offices in the MENA. The 120-hour program provides flexible delivery options and adaptable content to address different English language teaching needs and contexts – from public to private, urban to rural, traditional to alternative, resource-rich to resource-poor classrooms.

Who is PCELT for?

PCELT is designed for current and aspiring teachers of English who are proficient English speakers but who have little or no teaching background, as well as for experienced teachers who wish to upgrade or update their knowledge and skills based on the latest language teaching methodologies and emerging trends in the field. PCELT-certified teachers gain many rewards, including a competitive edge for career advancement and increased confidence in the classroom.

What is the PCELT approach?

PCELT is designed to provide up to 12 participants with needs-based, individualized attention throughout the training course. PCELT provides a meaningful blend of theory and practice, with an ongoing emphasis on hands-on experience and practical application to a wide variety of teaching situations. The overall program approach is grounded in experiential learning, critical thinking, and creative problem solving within a learner-centered framework.

Who are the PCELT trainers?

All PCELT trainers are experienced, credentialed, EFL teachers who have participated and passed the PCELT training certification course. Amideast Yemen’s PCELT Trainer, Dr. Shafiqa Anwar Fakir, has Master’s and Doctorate degrees in literature and linguistics from the United States, as well as years of classroom experience.

What do PCELT participants gain?

PCELT participants gain professional competence as English language teachers through interactive workshops, guided lesson planning, observed practice teaching, and continuous peer and trainer feedback. The comprehensive curriculum covers both the fundamentals of effective English language teaching and a wide range of adaptable modules on such topics as assessment, teaching young learners, teaching English for specific purposes, materials evaluation and development, computer-based language learning, and classroom research. In addition, PCELT incorporates workshops on emerging trends and issues of particular relevance to the Arab world, such as the role of English in international communication, social media, economic opportunity, and education reform. Participants also receive information about English language teaching options in the Arab world. 

About World Learning/SIT

Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), World Learning/SIT Graduate Institute is the oldest provider of the Masters of Arts in TESOL in the United States. PCELT draws on over 70 years of WL/SIT’s pioneering teacher education programs around the world.

PCELT offers you 

  • A foundation in the latest English teaching methods
  • A suite of adaptable modules for different teacher needs
  • Workshops on emerging trends and opportunities in English language teaching in the MENA region
  • Hands-on practice teaching with real students
  • Flexible course options, intensive and non-intensive
  • Networking with English teachers across the region

How do I register for a PCELT Course in Yemen?

Amideast currently offers only one course per year, usually in the late spring/early summer. Seating is very limited and often most spaces are already reserved for teacher-training program participants. Interested trainees should contact Amideast Aden at el.access-aden@amideast.org for more information regarding schedules, fees, and duration of the next PCELT course in Yemen.