How to get an ESL certification

To get an ESL certification, you often need to earn a bachelor's degree, choose the proper ESL certification, complete the classes and pass the exam. Here are some details on each of these steps to getting an ESL certification:

• Earn a bachelor's degree. In most scenarios you need a bachelor's degree to become an ESL teacher and get certified as such.

  Determine if a bachelor's degree is the best route for the certification you want to obtain, and then choose a related major, if applicable.

  Some major options include English as a Second Language (ESL), English, phonetics, or literature.

• Choose the proper ESL certification. There are several different ESL certifications and each has a somewhat different use.

  Consider the specifics of each, and then decide which best suits your ESL career track. For instance, if you plan on teaching English abroad, a Teaching English as a Second Language or Foreign Language (TEFL) certification is probably your best choice.

  Here are the different ESL certifications:

  • English as a Second Language (ESL)

    This certification is best for teachers preparing to teach students who are not native speakers of English. Students who attend these classes often learn English because it is the primary language of that location.

  • English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESOL)

    This certification is for teachers who work or plan to work with students that can speak more than one language. Meaning, it is geared more towards teachers who have students that are learning English as a third, fourth, or another additional language.

  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

    This certification is good for instructors who teach English domestically in the United States and for those teaching abroad.

  • Teaching English as a Second Language or Foreign Language (TEFL)

    This is the best certification for English-language teachers who want to pursue teaching English outside of the United States.

    The TEFL certification is very helpful in preparing teachers for classrooms where English-speaking students are uncommon, and these students seek English as an elective choice for their course load.