The teaching location and grade level of the students involved in the instruction determine English as a second language (ESL) certification. Training in courses designed specifically for teaching English to non-native speakers is required for general ESL certification. An officially recognized ESL teaching credential requires completion of a preparation program, training practicum, and a prescribed list of education courses. Individual state departments of education in the United States (US) issue teaching certificates for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The specific requirements for credentialing are determined each state department.
A co-certification to teach either English or a foreign language is also required for most teaching credential holders. Language and teaching professional organizations accredit colleges, universities, and online schools that offer ESL teaching degrees. Program accreditation entails a review other ESL teachers and school administrators to assess the program’s quality before it is approved to issue credentials or certificates.
Second-language courses and training are available through online schools, but it’s important to match the degree requirements to the job requirements. Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching of English as an Acquired or Additional Language (TEAL), International Accreditation of TESOL Qualifying Organizations (IATQuO), and Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) are some of the certification programs available (TEFL). Each organization has its own set of standards and training requirements.
Meeting the online requirements does not imply that the ESL certification meets state department of education requirements in the United States. California and Texas were among the first states to make ESL mandatory in public schools. The coursework, testing, and fieldwork requirements for ESL certification in these two states are among the most stringent in the country.
Linguistic fundamentals, teaching methods and materials, cross-cultural communication, and second-language acquisition are all covered in ESL certification courses. Teaching pronunciation, grammar fundamentals, and a practicum that requires the teaching candidate to go out into the field and put the ESL teaching principles into practice are all required. Accredited colleges and universities, as well as traditional brick-and-mortar schools and online education programs, offer ESL courses and teaching credentials.
Most states demand that you pass a standardized exam demonstrating your knowledge of ESL theory, teaching methods for English teacher certification, and second language curriculum development. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a commercially prepared exam offered the Educational Testing Service in New Jersey, is frequently used state education departments to assess competency. International organizations and universities, as well as programs within the University of California higher-education system, administer computer-based exams in reading, speaking, listening, and writing. To pass any of the standardized ESL exams, including the TOEFL, a minimum score is required. Some education programs award course credit for passing these exams, while others require passing but do not exempt the teaching candidate from any required coursework.
Taking ESL courses in general language acquisition earns you an international English teacher certification and an English as a second language certification in countries other than the United States. These English and ESL courses, which lead to an ESL certification, are available at commercial schools and online. Instructors with one of these certifications from an international school can use the certificate to apply for K-12 or community college teaching certification in the United States.
The state where the teaching application is filed is responsible for approving the certification. The state education department determines whether the ESL courses, training, exam, and preparation meet the state’s requirements. Before full certification, a state may grant conditional approval and require additional coursework or a practicum. In the United States, partial certification is common in areas where certified ESL teachers are needed urgently.