Job Discussion Forums

[denise]

This will be my fifth year of EFL teaching abroad. At some point (like, next year...), I would like to return to the US. Given the unappealing ESL job market back there, I was thinking about switching to high school ESL.

For those of you who've made the switch from EFL to ESL--was it as difficult for you as it seems to be? Not difficult in terms of the actual teaching, but in terms of getting the right qualifications.

I have an MA in TESOL, and I've taken the CBEST, but I don't have a state teaching credential or a BA in education. I have done countless internet searches, emailed and called schools with credentialing programs, etc., but I simply cannot get a straight answer regarding what I need to do to get properly certified.

Can anyone give me some guidance?!?!? I have gotten the impression that my MA is basically worthless in the public school system and that I've got to get a BA or another MA in education, which seems ridiculous. I was under the impression that I only needed a one-year credential, but I just can't find good information.

I am primarily interested in teaching in California or Oregon.

Please help!!! Puh-leeeeeease!!!!

d

[Sherri]

Hi Denise
My husband is currently interested in getting his credentials too. We are in Hawaii. He has a PhD in Chemistry and wants to teach in high schools. (I found a job in the local community college by the way after 25 years of living abroad!)

Anyway we did the same thing, searching the internet looking for answers and it is so confusing. The way we sorted things out here was going to the local university, calling them and finding out that he needs a one-year program. It seems to be different in every state (maybe every region?) He is going to an interview at the end of July to talk more about it. I have heard from people in the education program that it is fairly easy to get grants and loans to help you through the year as well.

Have you seen this website:
http://www.recruitingteachers.org/channels/clearinghouse/

It seems to be the most comprehensive. Best of luck.
Sherri

[Gordon]

My understanding is that every state has different qualifications, California having a more rigorous qualification process than most states.

Canada requires a BEd, which is normally an additional 12 months on a BA. Your masters should not be useless. It will help you get into the program and should get you a higher salary as well.

[melirae]

I only have knowledge about Georgia, as I am going to start a program myself soon to qualify me to teach in the public school system here, but maybe this will help your search.

Look for a professional standards commission or the dept of education for the state you're interested in and see what they have on their sites. In GA there is a program called TAPP (teacher alternative preparation program) that allows people with any undergrad degree to begin teaching after attending an orientation/training session. This is mostly for high needs ares- Math, Science and Foreign Languages- but they do offer positions in other areas depending on the needs of the school system. Participation in the program allows you to teach and earn a 1st year teacher's salary while working toward a provisional certification which you can use until you are able to get your full renewable certification.

Maybe other states have the same sort of programs...

[guest of Japan]

I just did a quick net search and found this.

Minimum Qualifications for
ESL Teachers
California and Nevada
CATESOL has compiled the following information about ESL teaching qualifications to assist people new to the field or to California or Nevada as they make employment decisions. These are general guidelines only, however, and variations and exceptions may exist from one district or school to another and from one year to another. Please be sure to check with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (916-445-7254),the Nevada Department of Teacher Licensure (702) 687-3115, or with individual districts for more detailed and current information about the requirements.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALIFORNIA
K-12 / Adult Education / Community College - Non-Credit / Community College - Credit / Intensive English Programs / College and University
ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL (K-12)
Minimum qualifications for serving English Learners in California
A complete list of qualifications can be found on the Commission�s website (http://www.ctc.ca.gov) in the leaflet entitled "Serving English Learners".

Teachers assigned to provide instruction in English language development (ELD), specially designed academic instruction delivered in English (SDAIE) or content instruction delivered in the primary language must hold appropriate authorization. There are several certificates and authorizations for teachers to work with English learners. The most common are:

For teachers currently credentialed:

Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization or BCLAD emphasis
CLAD Certificate (by coursework or examination)
BCLAD Certificate (examination only)
Bilingual Cross-cultural Specialist Credential (coursework)
Certificate of Completion on Staff Development (such as SB 395 or SB 1969)

For beginning teachers:
(the certificates described below are available at the request of the employing agency or from Commission-approved programs)

University Internship
Credential with English Learner Authorization or BCLAD emphasis
District Internship with English Learner Authorization
Pre-Intern certificates with English learner, CLAD or BCLAD authorizations.
Emergency Multiple and Single Subject Permits with English learner, CLAD or BCLAD authorizations

For teachers trained out of state:

Apply directly to the Commission on Teaching Credentialing to see if the out of state program is comparable to California's. If granted, you will receive a teaching credential and a separate CLAD certificate. Refer to the CTC correspondence 03-0016 at www.ctc.ca.gov for more information.

ADULT EDUCATION
Qualifications for Teaching ESL
Credentialing Information 2005
Taken directly from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Website at: http://www.ctc.ca.gov

Full-Time Adult

The Preliminary, Clear, or Professional Clear Full-Time Adult Education Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach the subjects named on the credential in courses organized primarily for adults. In addition, the holder may serve as a substitute in courses organized primarily for adults for not more than 30 days for any one teacher during the school year.

Adult Education Teaching Credentials are issued to individuals who meet the requirements listed below and who apply through and are recommended by either a Commission-accredited Local Education Agency (LEA) or by an Employing School District (ESD). A list of accredited LEAs (leaflet CL-506) may be obtained from the Commission's website.

Requirements for the Full-time Adult Credential

For the five-year* preliminary credential, all of the following requirements must be satisfied:

Verify five years of experience and/or education (as specified on page 2) related to each subject to be named on the credential
One of the following requirements must be satisfied:
possess a high school diploma
possess a diploma based on passage of the GED Test
possess the foreign equivalent of a high school diploma
Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). (For more information, contact the CBEST Program, National Evaluation Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 340880, Sacramento, CA 94834-0880, 916-928-4001, or www.cbest.nesinc.com.) Applicants for the Adult Credential in non-academic subjects are exempt from this requirement.
U.S. Constitution - applicants must satisfy one of the following requirements:
complete a course (at least two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution (Submit a copy of the course description for evaluation purposes.)
pass an examination in the Provisions and Principles of the U.S. Constitution given by a regionally-accredited junior college, community college, college or university
Obtain verification, signed by a Commission-accredited LEA, or by an ESD authorized to do so in accordance with guidelines established by the Commission, that the applicant has been fully apprised of the requirements for both the preliminary and professional clear credentials, including Level I and Level II requirements of the program of personalized preparation

Core Requirements for the ESL Adult Education Credential (non-credit):

A bachelor's or higher degree completed at a regionally-accredited college or university and completion of 20 semester units or 10 upper division semester units in one or any combination of the following: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English, Language other than English, Linguistics, Bilingual/bicultural studies, Teaching Reading, Speech

COMMUNITY COLLEGE - NON-CREDIT
Statewide Minimum Qualifications
To teach English as a second language (ESL) in a noncredit program teachers must meet one of the following criteria:

A bachelor's degree in teaching English as a second language, or teaching English to speakers of other languages.
A bachelor's degree in education, English, linguistics, applied linguistics, any foreign language, composition, bilingual/bicultural studies, reading, or speech; and a certificate in teaching English as a second language, which may be completed concurrently during the first year of employment as a noncredit instructor.
A bachelor's degree with any of the majors specified in subparagraph (2) above; and one year of experience teaching ESL in an accredited institution; and a certificate in teaching English as a second language, which may be completed concurrently during the first two years of employment as a noncredit instructor.
Possession of a full-time, clear California Designated Subjects Adult Education Teaching Credential authorizing instruction in ESL.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE - CREDIT
Statewide Minimum Qualifications for Full-time or part-time instructor
Master's in TESL, TESOL, applied linguistics with a TESL emphasis, linguistics, with a TESL emphasis, English with a TESL emphasis, or education with a TESL emphasis ;

OR
Bachelor's in TESL, TESOL, English with a TESL certificate, linguistics with a TESL certificate, applied linguistics with a TESL certificate, or any foreign language with a TESL certificate;

AND
Master's in linguistics, applied linguistics, English, composition, bilingual/bicultural studies, reading, speech, or any foreign language;

OR
The equivalent of the above. See individual districts for equivalencies.

INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAMS
No statewide qualifications; requirements vary by institution but general guidelines include the following:

Full-time Instructors - Master's in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or closely related field plus a minimum of two years of directly relevant teaching experience. Teaching experience in EFL programs abroad is preferred.
Part-time Instructors: University based IEPs require a Masters in TESOL, Applied Liinguistics or a closely related field, plus a minimum of two years of directly related teaching experience. Some proprietary language schools only require a Bachelor's of Arts; at least 6 months of teaching experience in ESL

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES
Minimum Qualifications for ESL Teachers
There are no statewide qualifications for public or private colleges or universities. Interested persons should contact individual institutions. The following guidelines for UC and CSU generally apply to private colleges and universities as well.

Teaching ESL full-time or part-time: Instructor positions require a Master�s in TESL, English, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or a Master�s degree in a closely related field with a TESL certificate.
Teaching TESL full-time or part-time: Lecturer positions require a Master�s or Doctoral degree in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, or Education. Professor positions require a Doctoral degree in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, or Education.

[coming soon]

Hello Denise,

The regulations change from state to state in the USA. In florida, you can actually start teaching at any level provided you have the right credentials and you have one year to get your certification. There is a shortage of teachers at the high school level in general, especially in the ESL field.

College is pretty much similar. Some universities offer special English classes for international students because it is assumed that they have different needs from the locals.

There are plenty of ESL openings in the USA but they're not generally advertised from what I have seen. Most schools just lack the funding and/or get one of the graduate students to teach a class or two after having them go through a 2 week workshop.

I would say that your best bet is to contact the schools in your district and ask them directly about the required qualifications.