How to Earn an ESL Degree Online

Teaching ESL, or English as a Second Language, is a fulfilling career as you teach others your native language of English. While some add ESL certification to a standard English degree, if you are sure that teaching ESL is the career you wish to pursue, getting your ESL degree is a great way to go. This makes you a strong candidate to prospective employers, showing that you're extremely knowledgeable and serious about your field. Now, you can earn your ESL degree online, making it very convenient to get your education, especially if you're currently working and trying to earn your degree at the same time. The following tips will show you what to do as well as some ESL degree programs you can earn online.

When you pursue an ESL degree online, it's important to understand the requirements of your program as well as what career options you're working for. Many ESL teachers speak a second language other than English to help their students feel comfortable and be better able to understand their lessons. This is not necessary, however, but certainly a plus. Many ESL teachers work in areas where there are high rates of immigration, making learning the English language in high demand. ESL teachers instruct students of all levels, from elementary and secondary schools to adults wanting to learn the language. Determining where in this field you wish to work will be helpful when choosing an ESL degree program online.

To earn your ESL degree online, you'll be earning a bachelor's or master's degree with a concentration in two areas: obtaining a basic teaching certification, showing you are proficient in general teaching, and obtaining a specialized ESL certification, showing you are trained in this highly specialized field. Most undergraduate teaching degrees require some type of practicum and student teaching, so research these options before you sign up, making sure you can meet all of the requirements to earn your ESL degree online.

However, many ESL degrees are on the master's level, offered to those who already hold a bachelor's in education. This means that all classes can be taken online, and no real-world coursework is required. You will also want to check with the state you are in to make sure that your ESL degree meets all state requirements for certification and licensure. Once you are sure that this is the field for you and that you can handle the coursework involved, it's time to choose and school and start learning. The following are some top ESL degree online programs to help you get started in your search.

Dominican University Online
This accredited online university specializes in helping working teachers earn advanced degrees in various educational fields. Dominican University offers an MA in Education: ESL in only 18 months, by completing 12 eight-week courses. This program helps teachers learn how to create an inclusive environment in which all non-native English speakers can learn through the latest techniques, maximizing their literacy levels while supporting their unique needs. In this program, you'll not only learn how to teach ESL students most effectively, you'll also learn how to be sensitive to various cultural needs so that you can help your students in the best ways possible.

Jones International University
Jones International University was launched in 1993 as the first completely accredited online school. They offer four different Masters of Education (M.Ed.) programs in ESL: K-12 ESL: Education, K-12 ESL: Bilingual Education, K-12 ESL: Bilingual Teacher Licensure, and K-12 ESL: Teacher Licensure. These programs require coursework in bilingual education, pedagogy in teaching bilingual students, assessing ESL learners, and multicultural communication. Once your coursework is completed, you will have demonstrated the skills to meet the accreditation standards for both the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards (NCATE) and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Standards (TESOL).

Northcentral University
Northcentral University is an accredited online school which works to tailor the education experience to each student's individual needs, making education here a convenient option. Each student is assigned a faculty mentor who guides him or her through the individual program, which is a nice personal touch for online learning. Courses also start on a monthly basis instead of following a traditional school year, so students can make their education fit their schedule. Northcentral offers a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in both English as a Second Language (ESL) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Students in these programs will learn how to properly assess ESL students, teach them with the latest ESL techniques, and understand their cultural backgrounds to make sure each student learns to the best of his or her abilities.