Requirements for Teaching ESL Students in Indiana

K-12 Students in Public Schools

• ESL teachers who wish to teach K-12 students in public schools need to have at least a bachelor's degree in English, TESOL or a related field, as well as an Indiana teacher's license. According to the Indiana Department of Education, licensing requirements include filling out paperwork that asks for education and criminal history, paying a licensing fee and showing proof of CPR certification.

K-12 Students in Private Schools

• According to the U.S. Department of Education, private schools do not have to comply with the curriculum requirements of public schools, but they must be taught in English. Thus, ESL teachers are necessary to help English language learners in private schools be able to participate fully in their education. Though the Indiana Department of Education does not set requirements for private schools, they can seek an optional accreditation through the state or another accrediting body, such as the Association of Christian Schools International. Thus, each private school has its own requirements for ESL teachers, but most will require some kind of college degree and years of experience teaching ESL.

College Students

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most colleges and universities require that their teachers have doctorates or at least master's degrees. Thus, ESL teachers who want to work with college students will need to complete some type of post-secondary work. In fact, Purdue University, an Indiana state university, lists not only PhD requirements but also published research for most of its faculty positions. Therefore, ESL teachers who want to work in the college environment should present at conferences and publish in journals as much as possible.

Adults/Returning Students

• Because state, non-profit and for-profit organizations offer adult education courses, requirements for teachers differ. Adult ESL programs run by school corporations often require Indiana state teacher licensing. However, some adult ESL and literacy programs allow individuals who enjoy teaching to serve as volunteers even if they are not professional teachers. The MCCSC Adult Education at Broadveiw Learning Center is one such organization.

  MCCSC Adult Education at Broadview Learning Center

  705 W. Coolidge Drive

  Bloomington, IN 47408

  812-330-7731