ESL Teaching Certification
Requirements for Teaching English as a Second Language
Are you up to date with ESL teacher requirements? Read on for some important information and procedures for ESL teaching certification.
Teaching English as a second language abroad gives you a chance to mix travel and work together. In the United States, many teachers decide to teach English as a second language (ESL) to new adult immigrants or ESL students in the public school system. Either way, you'll need to find out the requirements for ESL teaching certification.
ESL Teacher Requirements Abroad
Most teaching posts abroad require at least a bachelor's degree for teaching ESL. You will also need a work visa as an English teacher. Pursuing an ESL teaching certificate is not necessarily a requirement, although some more serious employers realize the educational value of hiring a certified ESL teacher as opposed to one who simply speaks and writes English fluently. If you decide to go this route, read literature on schools, culture, working environment and culture of your host country. Dave's ESL cafe provides a wealth of information on ESL teacher certification programs and provides survival tips for a prospective and new ESL teacher.
ESL Teacher Requirements in the United States
ESL teacher requirements in the United States are a bit more complex. If you decide to teach ESL to school-age immigrant children in public schools, you will need to complete teacher certification according to the teacher requirements of your state. If your state has them, you can also enroll in alternative ESL teacher certification programs. Find out also the possibility of registering for an online teacher certification ESL program as well as specializations, endorsements or other framework of ESL coursework.
Teaching ESL at Colleges and Universities
Many immigrant ESL adults register for ESL courses at community colleges or at ESL learning centers that may be affiliated with a college or university. Depending on whether you decide to teach ESL either in the US or abroad, you will need to complete appropriate coursework on least on the MA level, if not on the PHD level such as a degree in TESOL. (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TEFL. (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
ESL Teacher Training
Like any job or degree pursuit, the best way to test whether teaching ESL is right for you is to spend a few hours volunteering or finding a summer job in the ESL field by signing up as an ESL tutor. LiteracyCorps, a division of Americorps offers paid stipends for teaching ESL in six cities across the United States. If you are accepted into the program, you are also granted an education award, which you can put towards the cost of a ESL teacher certification program. You can also volunteer your ESL teaching services through any continuing adult education program, community center or library.
Good Luck! With the proper research, you can weigh your options carefully, before plunking down your cold hard cash for an expensive ESL degree or related program.
