TESL Course and Certification
If you enjoy linguistics and speak a second language, consider training in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). Teachers need to complete a training program before coming certified. Read this article to find out more. Schools offering Teaching ESL degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What TESL Training Programs Are Available to Me?
Training in TESL is more than having a good grasp of English. You also need to know about the culture and educational levels of your students. Not only must you teach the basics of the English language, you must also be able to teach the rules of communications. Although speaking a second language is not a requirement to become a TESL teacher, it makes working with students much easier. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a minimum of a bachelor's degree is required to teach TESL, and training beyond that, such as a master's degree, is highly recommended (www.bls.gov).
A typical training program for TESL is designed for undergraduates, graduates or those who have declared linguistics as a major. The programs stress second language acquisition, TESL methodology and linguistics. You'll find these programs at colleges and universities, both public and private. You can also take certification training programs online. Schools offer them in either a hybrid format or 100% online.
You'll learn about the culture and cultural diversity of target students. Programs teach you how to assess your students' language and build coursework that will help the student improve their grammar. You'll learn about the history of ESL education and how education influences a bilingual student. Programs often cover the theories of second-language acquisition (SLA) and discuss how factors unrelated to linguistics influence the learning process.
What Is the Certification Process?
States have different requirements for TESL teachers. Each state specifies the number of credit hours and teaching experience you need. This experience can be gained through a college-supervised student training program. Each state administers the exam, either at the Board of Education or a state certification testing site.
What Will Training Prepare Me for?
Certification in TESL allows you to teach English in K-12 schools with the proper certification. You can teach at community colleges and adult education centers with certification and a bachelor's degree. Work can also be found as a translator or teaching abroad. Corporations also employ TESL teachers to help transition foreign workers into the system.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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ESL Teacher FAQs
