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ESL/TESOL/Bilingual Teacher Education Programs

(found programs from 681 schools)

Below is a directory (broken down by state) of all of the ESL/TESOL/Bilingual Teacher Education programs we could find, from over 1,700 accredited colleges and universities across the US.

Introduction to English as a Second Language Teaching Careers

According to the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) there were approximately 5.3 million students with limited English language skills enrolled in the nation’s schools as of the 2007-2008 school year. Schools are required by law to provide services that help these students learn English while making appropriate academic progress. English as a Second Language teachers fill this role. Below is an interview with Linda New Levine, chair for TESOL's Professional Development Committee, which discusses the teaching of ESL as a career.





English as a Second Language Teaching Job Description

ESL teachers instruct students whose first language is not English. The goal is to teach English language learners to read, speak, and write English, so they can achieve grade level proficiency in their regular classrooms. ESL teachers must be highly knowledgeable in the content and structure of the English language as well as the methodology for teaching English to non-native speakers. Unlike foreign language teachers, ESL teachers may have a class in which a variety of native languages are spoken. According to the American Federation of Teachers, the five most common languages spoken by English language learners are Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, Chinese, and Korean.

ESL teachers may work with students one-on-one or in small groups, and in the regular classroom, or in pull out programs. They conduct diagnostic evaluations to determine students’ levels of language proficiency. From there, ESL teachers develop an instructional plan appropriate to each student’s needs. They track student progress and communicate with other members of the educational team to ensure appropriate progress is being made in the regular classroom. ESL teachers usually serve as the primary link between English language learners and their parents.


English as a Second Language Teaching Requirements

Educational and licensing requirements for ESL teachers vary from state to state and even from school to school. Check with your state department of education for exact requirements.

Another resource is the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) website. TESOL maintains a directory of ESL degree/certificate programs in the U.S. and Canada. At a minimum, public school ESL teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree and be licensed by the state in which they work. Common degree programs include English, linguistics, and education with an ESL endorsement. A number of colleges and universities offer a master’s degree program in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).


English as a Second Language Teaching Career Outlook

A 2008 survey by The American Association for Employment in Education reports some shortage of ESL teachers in most areas of the country so job prospects should be bright for qualified candidates. ESL teachers also are in high demand abroad.

The median salary for K-12 teachers in 2008 ranged from $47,000 to $51,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


English as a Second Language Teaching Trends

Collaborative teaching is an increasingly popular way to deliver ESL instruction according to Judie Haynes, an author and ESL teacher who runs the website Everything ESL. In collaborative teaching, the regular classroom teacher and the ESL teacher work side-by-side in the general education classroom sharing equal responsibility for instructional planning and delivery. One of the advantages of this model is a lower student-to-teacher ratio. In addition, English language learners are not separated from their classmates.


Useful Resources


Featured Online Programs:


Ashford University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Clinton, IA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
BA/English Language

Drexel University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Philadelphia, PA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Certificate

Erikson Institute (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Chicago, IL
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

MS: Early Childhood Education

Grand Canyon University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Phoenix, AZ
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
M.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (No IR, No Cert.)

Jones International University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Centennial, CO
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
M.Ed. in K-12 English as a Second Language EducationM.Ed. in K-12 English as a Second Language: Bilingual EducationM.Ed. in K-12 English as a Second Language: Bilingual Teacher LicensureM.Ed. In K-12 English as a Second Language: Teacher Licensure

The University of Texas at Arlington (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Arlington, TX
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with Literacy Studies

University of the Southwest (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Hobbs, NM
Matching Online Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)

M.S.Ed. - Curriculum & Instruction: Bilingual
M.S.Ed. - Curriculum & Instruction: TESOL

Western Governors University (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
100% Online
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited, TEAC accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Endorsement Prep. Program in ELL (PK-12)M.A. in English Language Learning (PK-12)

WGU Indiana (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Indianapolis, IN
Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Endorsement Prep. Program in ELL (PK-12)M.A. in English Language Learning (PK-12)

WGU Washington (Featured)


Campus Location(s):
Seattle, WA
Matching Online Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Endorsement Prep. Program in ELL (PK-12)M.A. in English Language Learning (PK-12)


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