State of Illinois Endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language

• At The Undergraduate Level

• At The Graduate (Post-Baccalaureate) Level

Undergraduate

Undergraduate students working toward the completion of a degree in the College of Education that will culminate in their earning a valid Illinois teaching certificate (Type 03, 04, 09, or 10) may simultaneously complete the requirements recognized by Northeastern Illinois University's College of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for an endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). The requirements include:

• An ESL clinical totaling 100 contact hours (TESL 399 OR must provide documentation including demographics of school all on official letterhead and signed by district administrator OR 3 months teaching experience with ESL students and must provide documentation including demographics of school all on official letterhead and signed by district administrator).  For more information on clinical experience requirement, please contact Dr. Marit Vamarasi, the TESL clinical advisor, at (773) 442-5881 or M-Vamarasi@neiu.edu.

• 18 semester hours distributed among the courses and areas listed below.     

NOTE: Students who have taken coursework prior to fall 2012 that has been changed effective fall 2012, will be able to use their previously taken coursework toward earning the ESL endorsement.

* See NEIU catalog for course prerequisites. Check NEIUport for schedule of courses.

Upon completion of all requirements, students will need to complete and submit Form 73-49; please follow directions on the ISBE website.

Graduate (Post-Baccalaureate)

Students who already possess a valid Illinois teaching certificate (Type 03, 04, 09, or 10) through the completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree in a college or university program in the State of Illinois and who wish to complete the necessary requirements for the endorsement to teach English as a second language (ESL) must also complete the following:

• An ESL clinical totaling 100 contact hours (TESL 399 OR must provide documentation including demographics of school all on official letterhead and signed by district administrator OR 3 months teaching experience with ESL students and must provide documentation including demographics of school all on official letterhead and signed by district administrator).  For more information on clinical experience requirement, please contact Dr. Marit Vamarasi, the TESL clinical advisor, at (773) 442-5881 or M-Vamarasi@neiu.edu.

• 18 semester hours distributed among the courses and areas listed below.     

NOTE: Students who have taken coursework prior to fall 2012 that has been changed effective fall 2012, will be able to use their previously taken coursework toward earning the ESL endorsement.

* See NEIU catalog for course prerequisites. Check NEIUport for schedule of courses.

To teach in a state-approved ESL program, you may obtain an application form through the office of a regional superintendent of schools in the county where you would like to teach. For further information or to request the form, visit the website at http://www.isbe.net/certification or call the office in Springfield, Illinois at (217) 557-6763. To request approval as an ESL teacher, be sure to download and complete ISBE Form 73-49.

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