Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi there!

My name is Tanya and I am about a year away from doing my student teaching. I am have been seriously considering getting my ESL endorsment on my teaching certificate. I have hear mixed messages on the subject. Some teachers in the school were I volunteer tell me that it will just be a waste of my time, and others tell me that there is a new movement out there that will one day require me to have my ESL endorement. I feel that I should get my endorement now instead of later. What do all of you teachers currently in the school systems have to say?

Having the endorsement will open doors for you, especially under "no children left behind." I remeber wanting to do some esl jobs but couldn't since I didn't have the endorsement. I think if it is not too much trouble you should do it. If anything for the education.

I sincerely don't think that it will be required for all teachers some day.

Well that is good to hear that there isn't a movement to require all teachers to get the endorsment. I had just heard that from a few teachers that were working in the mesa public school district. As soon as I transfer to ASU I was going to ask what classes I need to take to get my endorement. Do you have to know spanish or can you use any foreign language for the endorement? Does anyone know????

There are many American, licensed, ESL teachers that do not speak any foreign languages.

Although you don't have to be fluent in another language, some states do require you to take 12-16 credits of a foreign language to receive your endorsement. Plus it looks great on your resume, in an incleasingly diverse world, that you know another language! It sure won't work against you.