English qualifications include degrees in English, English education, writing, and certificates in ESL, TESOL, TEFL, and ELL. These qualifications vary based on career goals, with teaching qualifications requiring additional exams and courses. TEFL and TESL certificates are required for teaching English in non-English speaking countries, while TESOL is a broader qualification.
A person interested in pursuing a career in the field of English has a number of options, many of which focus on teaching. English qualifications include bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in English, English education and writing. Other English qualifications include certificates or diplomas in English as a Second Language or ESL; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL; Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL; and English language learner, or ELL certification. The specific qualifications needed will depend on that person’s career goals.
If a student does not intend to enter teaching, he or she can obtain English language qualifications such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree and then look for employment in other fields. Earning a minor or concentration while in college can help a student improve their credentials; a technical writing concentration, for example, can make a student a more valuable candidate for companies or businesses looking to fill a position that requires technical writing.
The teaching of English qualifications can vary more significantly. A student can earn an English degree and then work toward a teaching credential, qualifying him or her to teach in primary or secondary schools. While the teacher is employed by a school, he or she may be required to improve their English skills to serve a more diverse student population. In many parts of the United States, for example, English teachers may be required to obtain approval from the ELL in order to be qualified to teach non-native English speakers in the regular classroom. This certification requires the teacher to complete exams and courses, and upon successful completion, the English teacher will be in compliance with state or federal laws regarding the teaching of English.
Some teachers choose to go to countries where English is not the primary language. In that case, a TEFL certificate must be obtained. Some teachers will work toward this certification while teaching, while others may earn the credential before they are hired. Teaching English as a Second Language, or TESL, is another common certificate for the same purposes. The TESOL endorsement covers the topics covered in the TEFL and TESL certifications, so it is a much broader qualification that makes the teacher an even more attractive job candidate. These certificates and endorsements are valuable to teachers teaching in non-English speaking countries and also to non-native populations in English speaking countries.
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