Common Qualifications for English Language Teachers

Posted by freemexy on November 15th, 2019

Individuals who wish to pursue a career teaching English to speakers of other languages can choose from several pathways to establish their teaching qualifications.

A bachelor of arts (BA) or science (BS) degree is usually a prerequisite for any of the programs listed below. In most countries, it is impossible to obtain a work permit for an ESL/EFL teaching position without a BA/BS degree.Internationally recognised teacher training programmes

Just as there are numerous methodologies in language teaching, there are also a wide range of options to launch your education in TESOL. To help you explore these options, TESOL's Directory of Degree & Certificate Programs lists institutions that offer teacher training programs (certificates, and bachelor's and graduate degrees) in TESOL.
Introductory Programs

Many institutions have created programs that fall in between the TEFL certificate and TESOL endorsement or add-on certification. These programs may take one to two semesters and are designed to provide initial teacher training for overseas teaching assignments. The credits from these shorter programs may be applied toward an endorsement or master's degree upon return to the United States.
Elementary or secondary school teachers in most states in the United States must have a degree in education with an endorsement or add-on certification in ESL. Certification requirements can be obtained from state departments of education, and may be reciprocal from state to state. University teacher training programs offer the required courses and are another source of information regarding state certification requirements.

Many U.S. teachers who want to teach internationally, but who intend to return to the United States to continue teaching, choose to pursue this type of certification or endorsement. The advantage to the endorsement or add-on ESL certification is that it offers more in-depth training for international positions than the TEFL certificate. It also usually counts toward the completion of the master's degree or state certification upon return to the United States. In other words, TEFL certificates do not count toward employment qualifications for most schools in the United States, but endorsement and add-on certification in ESL do. The training can take two to four semesters of full-time study at an accredited institution.
Common Certificates

Those who decide not to begin their teaching career with a master's degree can choose from several other options. Neither the CELTA nor an independent TEFL certificate alone is sufficient qualification to teach in most institutions in the United States, though the practical training required as part of the certification process greatly enhances teaching skills.

In general, the minimum qualification to teach EFL in private language schools overseas and in some private language schools in the United States is a TEFL certificate. Usually, TEFL certificate courses in the United States and Canada are highly intensive, running full time over the course of two to six weeks.These courses focus on practical training and also teach different language methodologies.

Because of the scope of information that must be covered, a four- to six-week intensive course is likely to be more valuable than a shorter version. Most respected TEFL courses offer 100+ classroom hrs and have a practical training component. Many institutions are accredited by varying state organizations, and many of these TEFL courses are excellent.