Hello everyone,
It's always been my understanding that in order to teach adults at the junior college level, all one needs is a master's degree. Is this different for esl? I'm finding information that says one needs to be certified (tesl, clad) and have adult teaching credentials. Does it matter if the classes are for credit or non-credit? I live in California, if that helps. If anyone can clarify this for me, I'd really appreciate it!
requirements to teach
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I'm not sure where you live in California. All the community colleges have classes in credit, but the non-credit programs are sometimes with the community college and sometimes with the K-12 system. Currently, as far as I know, all of the adult non-credit ESL in San Francisco and San Diego is with the community college, whereas the Los Angeles and Oakland Unified School Districts have the adult classes. You'd have to check the city you were thinking of teaching in to be sure. The adult teaching credential may be for the K-12 systems.
State law requires a master's degree to teach in community college, whether credit or non-credit. I believe the particular degrees might be listed as well, but I'm not positive. Districts have some leeway, and hiring committees can list different elements as "required" or "preferred." They also have to have an equivalency committee for people who don't have the required elements but can show an equivalency through education or experience.
It sounds like you have been looking into classes through a K-12 system. When I first started teaching in 1969, the community college, "adult schools" and K-12 were all in the same district, and I had to have an adult teaching credential.
State law requires a master's degree to teach in community college, whether credit or non-credit. I believe the particular degrees might be listed as well, but I'm not positive. Districts have some leeway, and hiring committees can list different elements as "required" or "preferred." They also have to have an equivalency committee for people who don't have the required elements but can show an equivalency through education or experience.
It sounds like you have been looking into classes through a K-12 system. When I first started teaching in 1969, the community college, "adult schools" and K-12 were all in the same district, and I had to have an adult teaching credential.
Thanks for your reply, Lorikeet,
I'm in LA county. Looking at the TESOL requirements (at the Cal. state campus near me), I see that I need a certificate. When I spoke with one of the ESL professors at a local community college, she said all anyone needs is a master's, and that she didn't have a certificate. That's why I'm confused. However, the prof. has experience, which I do not. Anyway, I'm going to call the linguistic/Esl department at the university and ask.
I'm in LA county. Looking at the TESOL requirements (at the Cal. state campus near me), I see that I need a certificate. When I spoke with one of the ESL professors at a local community college, she said all anyone needs is a master's, and that she didn't have a certificate. That's why I'm confused. However, the prof. has experience, which I do not. Anyway, I'm going to call the linguistic/Esl department at the university and ask.