Perhaps you are new to teaching in Arizona and your director or human resources representative just told you that you need a 45-hour structured English immersion course. Maybe you knew about it the whole time you were in your teacher preparation program and put it off as long as you could.

Either way, if you’re reading this article, you probably need an SEI class ASAP, and you’re looking for one that will actually teach you something that you can use with your students. You might even be looking for the most painless way to achieve 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 move towards meeting the requirement.

What SEI in Arizona it’s not-

• It does not apply to the passing requirements of the other two states that have Structured or Shielded 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 language immersion in the strictest sense, as we might think of French immersion or dual language immersion.

What SEI in AZ is-

• It is a great way to learn how to teach students learning English.

• 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 enrolling in 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 like interacting with other teachers from across the state, hearing their ideas, and learning together? If so, attend an interactive face-to-face course. On the other hand, if you like using a computer to get things done, definitely pick up 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, no one wants to do it twice.

Finally, be sure to 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!