Minimum Qualifications

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Minimum Qualifications for Teaching in our ESL Program

Any of the following:

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. A bachelor’s degree in teaching English as a second language, or teaching English to speakers of other languages.

    or

  4. 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.

    or

  5. 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.

    or

  6. Possession of a full-time, clear California Designated Subjects Adult Education Teaching Credential authorizing instruction in ESL.

If an applicant does not meet any of the minimum qualifications listed above but possesses one of the following equivalencies they may request a review by completing an Equivalency Supplemental Form:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in a non-related subject (one not on the list), plus a completed certificate equivalent to 216 hours of coursework in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) from an accredited institution.
  • A Bachelor’s degree in a non-related subject, plus three (3) years teaching experience in adult level ESL within the past five (5) years, plus completion of four (4) sessions of the ESL Teacher Institute.
  • An elementary or secondary teaching credential with LDS (Language Development Specialist) or CLAD/B-CLAD certification and completion of four (4) sessions of the ESL Teacher Institute.
  • A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Liberal Studies, Language Arts, Journalism, Literature, or Bilingual/ Bicultural Studies which may include Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and Multi-Cultural Studies; and a certificate in TESOL, which may be completed concurrently during the first year of employment as a non-credit instructor.