I just got hired on at a new school for next year where there will be a lot of ESL students. The principal has asked I become ESL certified. Does anyone know where I can do this? Is there classes to take or just an exam (or both)? Thank you in advance for your answers.
Thank you everyone for all your advice! I appreciate it!!!
If you are certified to teach in the state of TX all you have to do to become ESL certified is take the exam. www.sbec.state.tx.us is the website for info on certificates.
Your district should offer an ESL certification course. Try region 10 or region 11, also.
It is basically a bunch of reading and taking a test. The test is not too difficult, but you will need to study.
I am a music teacher and choir director in the area, too!
The principal and school district should have that information for you. You'll have to probably go to the administration building and talk to someone there.
Like Karen said there is an exam and you can sign up for it at sbec website. Region 11 offers a prep course. Their website is: http://www.esc11.net/escrxi/site/default.asp
go to courses offered and search for it. I took a class through my district and then took the ESL test, it was pretty easy. Good Luck :0)
Yes, you need to take the ESL Supplemental exam. Check the SBEC website for when it's available, cost, etc.
If you're in Dallas ISD, try SMU. They have a program of ESL certification there.
I thought that the school district would pay for that. Try Dallas Community Colleges I would think they would have something online.
I used to teach in Duncanville and they required all of us to take the test also. However, they brought in trainers from Region 10 to do a 2 week training before the test. If you passed it, you were reimbursed by the school district. It was pretty simple for me.
Texas Woman`s University
University of Dallas
E.,
My daughter Megan just got ESL certified. Here is her email address ____@____.com teaches in Denton. Hope this helps.
N. Cox
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Hi E., I am a certified ESL teacher in Mexico right now(going on 7 years), but I will be going back to Dallas after my next baby is born. I did my course through a school in Boston, but I found this website for you so you can take the weekend seminars in dallas or ft. worth. There are probably more than just this one.
http://www.oxfordseminars.com/?cmp=1&ad=3
I assume your principal just wants you to get the certificate and not get a full on degree. You can search TEFL certification or TESOL. You should be able to find them. They will all be about 60 hours of class time, but they are really fun and it will help you tons in your classroom. Some of the other people have said there is a test you can take, but I highly recommend taking a class. I know it can be hard on the weekends, but it is not easy to teach ESL and they will really help you with good tips. Good Luck and Congrats on the new job.
I have just recently finished the state exams for EC-4/ESL certification and took my classes at Collin County Community College. The teacher certification program holds classes at Allen High School and you can just take the ESL class which then qualifies you to take the state exam for certification. It is possible to just take the ESL class and exam. It is affordable, convenient, and pretty thorough. It meets in the evenings twice a week for about 7 or 8 weeks. Hope that helps some.
The district should have the answer to where they want you to get your certification at. Usually you can do it over the summer or during the school year. Depending on what district you are with you could do Region XI or what ever other district you fall under.
Ask your administrator or if you have a mentor teacher assigned or contact person to work with what the other teachers have done.
Most schools now a days seem to want to ESL certification
Best of luck to you!
R. T.
There is an exam. You can find out lots of info about teacher certification tests online at http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/default.asp.
Specifically here is a link to the preparation guide for the ESL certification test http://www.texes.ets.org/assets/pdf/testprep_manuals/154_...
In addition, the school districts usually offer classes to prepare for the ESL certification exam free of charge (or reimbursed once you pass the test) and maybe even worth staff development hours. You will probably see fliers around when the school year begins or you can ask your principal for details.
Check with the local Education Service Center. They offer a lot of courses over the summer for many different certificates. Good luck.
