 Immigrants who move to the United States often desire a working understanding of the English language to help acclimate them to American society. If becoming an ESL teacher in the U.S. is something you aspire to, you'll need training to master the intricacies of our language and work effectively across language barriers with people from different cultures. Colleges and universities offer a variety of ESL programs to prepare prospective teachers for the unique rigors and challenges of teaching ESL. Read on for help navigating your different degree and certificate options and finding an ESL college that meets your needs. 
Bachelor's Degree ESL Programs Since securing a position as an ESL teacher in a public school requires you to hold a state or national ESL certificate (see below), you will need to complete a bachelor's degree and certification requirements in order to begin your career. If you are just starting your post-secondary education, you can jump right into the ESL education world by finding a college or university that offers specific undergraduate ESL programs. While they can be hard to find, they offer the best way to break into the industry if you already know exactly what you want. However, if you would like to spend your undergraduate years experiencing a more diverse, liberal arts education, you can choose between many common bachelor's degrees. Each of the following bachelor's degrees work well as a foundation for a TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) career: - literacy
- linguistics
- English
- bilingual education
- general education
ESL Certification Programs ESL teachers in the U.S. are required to have teacher certification in the state in which they teach. While state requirements differ, many require, at minimum, a bachelor's degree, student-teaching experience and successful completion of a teaching exam, such as the PRAXIS. Since the No Child Left Behind Act requires teachers to prove they are "highly qualified" to teach their subjects, ESL teachers are usually required to receive what is known as an endorsement in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Because of this, there are now hundreds of options for ESL certification. Most ESL certification programs are taught by experts in the field and can often be completed within one year. Online programs and evening and weekend classes are available for those who need a flexible schedule. Topics covered include linguistics, language acquisition, intercultural learning, and curriculum development and assessment.
Master's Degree ESL Programs In the world of American ESL, college education most commonly leads to post-graduate work since most specific ESL programs available today culminate in a master's degree. Often, teachers with an ESL endorsement meet some of the course requirements for this degree during their certification program. These master's programs generally include unsupervised internships, so if you decide to go for your master's, you might enjoy this opportunity to apply and practice what you learned in class. Earning a master's ESL degree will prepare you to meet the demands of a growing immigrant population while increasing your earning and growth potential. Additionally, as a continuing education requirement in many states, earning your master's degree is an inevitable enrichment for many teachers. Doctoral Degree ESL Programs The two most common doctoral degrees in education (EdD) tracks involve either educational leadership at elementary or secondary schools or professor preparation. If you are interested in moving up the ladder in your school or district, you should secure as much education and experience as you can. Earning an EdD in an area such as English education, multilingual studies, or teaching and learning will prepare you to teach or lead the ESL teachers of tomorrow. An EdD or another doctoral degree is required if you want to become a university professor. For more information, see our ESL jobs article. As you can see, the list of available ESL programs is long and offers opportunities for continual enrichment and professional growth. As immigration rates continue to rise and the need for qualified, inspiring ESL teachers rises with them, you will do well to find an ESL college program to help put you in the front and center of this growing industry. |
