Qualifications for Teaching ESL

Public Adult Schools in California

Credentialing Information can be found on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website: http://www.ctc.ca.gov.

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:

1. A bachelor's degree in teaching English as a second language, or teaching English to speakers of other languages.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Possession of a full-time, clear California Designated Subjects Adult Education Teaching Credential authorizing instruction in ESL.

Credit

Statewide Minimum Qualifications for Full-time or part-time instructor are:

• 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

There are 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 Linguistics 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

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