A person who wants to work in the field of English has a variety of options, many of which focus on teaching. Bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and PhDs in English, English education, and writing are all available in English. Certificates or degrees in English as a Second Language, or ESL; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL; Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL; and English Language Learner, or ELL, certification are among the other English qualifications. The specific qualifications required will be determined the individual’s career objectives.
If a student does not want to teach, he or she can earn an English degree, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and then look for work in other fields. Earning a minor or concentration in college can help a student improve his or her credentials; for example, a technical writing concentration can make a student a more valuable job candidate for companies or businesses looking to fill a technical writing position.
The qualifications for teaching English can vary a lot. After earning an English degree, a student can pursue a teaching credential, allowing him or her to teach in elementary or secondary schools. While working for a school, the teacher may be required to improve his or her English skills in order to serve a more diverse student population. English teachers in many parts of the United States, for example, may be required to obtain an ELL endorsement in order to teach non-native English speakers in the regular classroom. This certification requires the teacher to complete coursework and certification exams, after which the English teacher will be in compliance with state and federal laws regarding the teaching of English.
Some teachers prefer to work in countries where English is not the native tongue. A TEFL certificate is required in this case. Some teachers will work toward this certification while teaching, while others may obtain it before beginning their careers. Another common certificate for the same purposes is TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). The TESOL endorsement covers topics covered in both TEFL and TESL certification, making the teacher an even more appealing job candidate. Teachers instructing in non-English speaking countries, as well as non-native populations in English-speaking countries, will benefit from these certificates and endorsements.