by Adrienne Johnson
This article is intended to help guide teachers who are trying to decide on a TESOL training program, as well as to help administrators evaluate the quality of training that potential hires might have. Part 1 addresses various teaching contexts while Part 2 focuses on factors to evaluate a program.
With a steady need for more educators trained to teach English to speakers of other languages, and a growing number of options available for pursuing such training, choosing the ‘best’ program can be a challenge. The TESOL field is diverse in terms of teachers, students, needs, locations, and requirements. Therefore, choosing the program that is right for you depends on a number of factors, including your goals and prioritizing different program components (i.e. quality, cost, flexibility, and time to completion).
WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?
The first step to choosing a program is to determine what it is you hope to do with the training you receive. This section will provide guidance on teaching in a variety of different roles both in the United States and internationally.
Teaching ELs in a U.S. preK-12 public school
If you wish to teach English learners (ELs) in a preK-12 public school in the United States, there will be strict limitations on the programs you must choose. The requirements for EL teacher certification are determined on a state-by-state basis and typically involve some combination of testing and coursework taken through an accredited institution of higher education.
Some states require teachers to have additional certification in a content area, beyond EL certification. For instance, if you teach ELs in an elementary school, you may need elementary certification and EL certification. If you teach math to ELs in high school, you may need math certification and EL certification. In some states, you only need to pass a standardized test on EL related knowledge, and the grade levels you are certified to teach also varies. Occasionally, you will be able to transfer certifications across state lines, though you may need to address gaps in training when doing so.
In sum, becoming certified to teach in public K-12 school in the U.S. can be a really complex process!
Your best source of information is the state department of education for the state in which you hope to become employed, though universities and colleges with departments of education can also provide guidance.
Teaching ELs in a U.S. preK-12 private school
Regulations tend to be more flexible in preK-12 private schools than for public schools, so you may not need to complete the same level of training required for a public school teacher. It is best to check with the school where you hope to work to confirm, though, as they may still prefer someone who does have state teacher certification.
Teach English to international students at a university
Typically, to teach at a university level you need at least a Master’s degree. Often you will need a Master’s degree in TESOL or a related field such as English in order to be competitive and qualified to teach in this setting. This tends to be true at universities in the U.S., as well as abroad, though it is always best to look for sample job postings at universities similar to those to which you hope to apply to identify commonly required qualifications.
Teaching preK-12 ELs outside of the U.S.
There are multitudes of opportunities to teach English learners in both public and private school settings outside of the U.S. If this is your goal, you will have to determine the settings in which you are interested in working. You could be a teacher in an accredited international school, which often requires teacher certification similar to what is required in U.S. public schools. Many countries have private or government-run programs which might simply require any type of bachelor’s degree and, often, native-like English proficiency. Some programs may require a specific number of TESOL training hours, a specified type of TESOL certificate, or may provide higher levels of compensation based on certain types of TESOL teacher training or certification. As with other opportunities, it is best to ask the organization where you hope to teach before choosing a training program.
Other EL teaching opportunities
There are many opportunities to teach English learners who are adults, or to teach in a volunteer capacity. For formal, paid adult EL teaching opportunities, it often helps to have a Master’s degree. Most volunteer organizations appreciate all volunteers, regardless of training, but it is important to note that the more appropriate training you have, the better prepared you will be to meet your students’ needs.
Dr. Adrienne Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Missouri Western State University, preparing both undergraduate and graduate teachers to teach English language learners. Adrienne earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics (Second Language Acquisition) from the University of Kansas following 8 years teaching K-12 English language learners in rural and inner-city public schools in South Korea, Chicago, and Michigan. She has taught in EFL, ESL, bilingual, sheltered, and dual language environments and is always learning. Originally from Colorado, when she is not teaching, you can find her running, biking, swimming, playing with her kids, and just enjoying being active outdoors.
