How is ESL Certified?

English as a Second Language (ESL) certification is determined by the teaching position and quality level of the students involved in the education. General ESL certification requires training in courses designed specifically for teaching English to non-native speakers. A preparation program, training internships and a prescribed list of training courses are mandated as part of the ESL certification for an officially recognized ESL teaching credential.

Teacher Certificates for Student Levels Kindergarten through Grade 12 are issued in the United States (US) of individual state training departments. Each state department determines specific requirements for credentialing. An additional requirement for most teaching credentials includes a co-certification to teach English or a foreign language.

ESL teaching degrees are earned at colleges, universities and online schools accredited by the language and professional teaching organizations. Accreditation to the program involves examining other ESL teachers and school administrators to assess the quality of the program prior to approval to issue credentials or certificates.

Online schools offer second language courses and training, but care must be taken to match graduation requirements with future employment requirements. Certification is offered by training institutions such as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching English as an Acquisition or Additional Language (ALZAVOLA), accreditation of TESOL Qualification International Organizations (IATQuO) and teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL). Each group has unique standards and training requirements.

Meeting the standard line does not automatically mean that the ESL certification meets the state department of training standards in the United States. California and Texas are pioneers in ESL education mandate public schools. ESL certification in these two states is among the most stringent in the field of work requirements, tests and coursework.

ESL certification courses include linguistic fundamentals, teaching methods and materials, intercultural communication and second language acquisition. Coursework in teaching a practicum that requires the teaching candidate to take the field to practice ESL teaching principles, foundations of grammar and pronunciation also has the task.

ESL and ESL teaching credential courses are available from accredited colleges and universities to traditional brick and mortar schools as well as Internet training programs. Most states require passing a standardized exam demonstrating proficiency in ESL theory related to English teacher certification and proficiency in the development of the language curriculum according to teaching methods.

State education departments frequently use the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - a commercially prepared exam offered by the New Jersey-based Educational Testing Service - to assess proficiency. Computer-based exams in reading, speaking, listening and writing are also given by international organizations and universities, including programs at the schools of the University of California higher education system.

A minimum score is required to pass any of the standardized ESL exams, including the TOEFL. Some programs offer course credit for passing these exams, while other training programs require passing but do not release the teaching candidate from any coursework mandate. In countries outside the United States, international English teacher certification and English as a second language certification are earned by ESL by taking courses in general language acquisition. These English and ESL courses leading to an ESL certification are offered at business schools and through online study. Instructors holding one of these certifications from an international school may apply for K-12 or These English and ESL courses leading to an ESL certification are offered at business schools and through online study.

Instructors holding one of these certifications from an international school may apply for K-12 or These English and ESL courses leading to an ESL certification are offered at business schools and through online study. Instructors holding one of these certifications from an international school may apply for K-12 or the University of the US certification teaching community using the certificate.

Approval of the certification is the responsibility of the state where the teaching application is filed. The training department determines whether the ESL, training, exams and prep courses match state guidelines.

A state can issue conditional approval and require additional courses or a practicum before full certification is granted. Partial certification in the United States frequently occurs in geographic regions with emergency requirements for certified ESL teachers.