Requirements to Obtain Approval to Teach Bilingual and ESL through the Illinois State Board of Education

Approval to Teach Bilingual Education

Approval as a bilingual teacher may be obtained by first making application through a Regional Office of Education on ISBE Form 73-49 "Request for Approval as a Bilingual or ESL Teacher" (pdf).

A statement of approval will be issued to individuals meeting the following requirements:

• a valid Illinois teacher certificate;
• bilingual clinical experience totaling 100 clock hours or three months teaching experience in bilingual programs;
• successful completion of a language examination in the non-English language to be taught;
• credits totaling 18 semester hours distributed among the following five course areas:
  • Foundations of Bilingual Education (TCH 319: Study of Bilingual/Bicultural Education)
  • Assessment of Bilingual Students (TCH 320: Bilingual/Bicultural Program Design and Implementation)
  • Methods and Materials for Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students in Bilingual Programs (TCH 321: Bilingual/Bicultural Methods and Materials)
  • Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students (TCH 409: Student Diversity and Educational Practices)
  • Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language (ENG 345: TESOL: Methods and Materials)

As requirements are subject to change without notice, please refer to the latest list of coursework required by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Approval to Teach English as a Second Language (ESL)

Approval to teach ESL in the context of a state-approved bilingual education program may be obtained by making application through a Regional Office of Education on ISBE Form 73-49 "Request for Approval as a Bilingual or ESL Teacher" (pdf). The same requirements apply to the ESL endorsement on a full certificate.

The requirements for obtaining this approval are as follows:

• a valid Illinois teaching certificate;
• ESL clinical experience equal to 100 clock hours or three months teaching experience with ESL students;
• credits totaling 18 semester hours distributed among the following five course areas:
  • Linguistics (ENG 341: Introduction to Descriptive Languages)
  • Theoretical Foundations of Teaching ESL (ENG 344: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Theoretical Foundations)
  • Assessment of the Bilingual Student (TCH 320: Bilingual/Bicultural Program Design & Implementation)
  • Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language (ENG 345: TESOL: Methods and Materials)
  • Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students (TCH 409: Student Diversity and Educational Practices)

Individuals who obtain an ESL approval may teach in this capacity only at the grade level for which their regular certificate is valid. Individuals who hold an elementary certificate and who qualify for bilingual approval, however, may teach ESL in grades K-6, as well as all other subject areas of a bilingual education program in the language for which they have approval.

Have questions?

Email your question regarding the Bilingual Elementary Teacher Education program.