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English as a Second Language Teacher

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High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Education and Training cluster Teaching/Training pathway.

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Educational requirements differ depending on where you want to teach. Many public elementary and secondary school teachers are involved in teaching English language learners (ELL).

In the U.S., the qualifications for classroom teachers vary from state to state, but always include a state-issued teaching certificate for public instruction.

First you must complete education degree requirements, exams and supervised instruction as a teaching intern. The requirements to teach at a private English as a Second Language (ESL) school or at a college or university are often different.

"To become an ESL teacher one needs to have an undergraduate degree and TESOL [teachers of English to speakers of other languages] training," says Branka Jankovic. She teaches at a college.

"TESOL training, which most employers require, is a TESOL diploma, but some schools would accept a TESOL certificate as well. However, if one wants to teach at colleges and universities, the requirements are different. One needs to have, in most cases, a master's degree and TESOL training, as well as more teaching experience," Jankovic adds.

To teach in most private language schools, a CELTA (certificate in English language teaching for adults), TESL (teaching English as a second language) or TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate and a university degree is required.

A master's degree is a requirement for teaching at the post-secondary level such as at community colleges, university and teacher training.

"Here at Emily Griffith, most of us have our master's degree in TESOL, but those who don't have been teaching at least 10 and mostly 20 years," says Kate Goodspeed. She's an ESL teacher for the Colorado Refugee ESL Program at the Emily Griffith Opportunity School.

When choosing a school, look for a program with qualified trainers with a master's degree, teachers with North American public and overseas teaching experience, a curriculum approved by governing bodies, and a supervised practicum.

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