TESL Requirements and Qualifications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization offers the CELTA certificate specifically focused on teaching English to adults?
- TESOL International Association
- Cambridge Assessment English (Correct answer)
- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Correct answer: Cambridge Assessment English
Cambridge Assessment English awards the CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), a widely recognized entry-level qualification.
Question 2: A candidate applying for a K-12 ESL teaching position in a U.S. public school most commonly needs which credential?
- A CELTA certificate
- A state-issued ESL teaching license or endorsement (Correct answer)
- A TEFL certificate from any online provider
- An MA in Applied Linguistics only
Correct answer: A state-issued ESL teaching license or endorsement
Public K-12 schools in the U.S. require teachers to hold state-issued licensure, often including an ESL/ELL endorsement or specialized certificate.
Question 3: How many hours of observed teaching practice does the CELTA typically require candidates to complete?
- 2 hours
- 6 hours
- 20 hours (Correct answer)
- 60 hours
Correct answer: 20 hours
The CELTA course requires a minimum of 6 hours of assessed teaching practice with real language learners.
Question 4: Which degree is most commonly required to teach English in universities abroad under a standard work visa?
- Associate's degree in any field
- Bachelor's degree in any field (Correct answer)
- Master's degree in TESOL specifically
- Doctorate in Linguistics
Correct answer: Bachelor's degree in any field
Most countries require at minimum a bachelor's degree (in any subject) combined with a TEFL/TESOL certificate for English teaching work visas.
Question 5: What is the minimum score on the TOEFL iBT that a non-native English speaker typically needs to qualify for many TESOL certification programs?
- 61
- 79
- 90 (Correct answer)
- 100
Correct answer: 90
Many TESOL programs require non-native English speaking applicants to score at least 90 on the TOEFL iBT to demonstrate English proficiency.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT typically a requirement for maintaining an active TESOL professional membership?
- Paying annual dues
- Completing continuing education hours
- Holding a current state teaching license (Correct answer)
- Subscribing to TESOL publications or journals
Correct answer: Holding a current state teaching license
TESOL International Association membership is a professional organization membership, not a state licensure requirement, so a state license is not required to join.
Question 7: A teacher who holds only an online TEFL certificate with no teaching practicum is most likely qualified for which position?
- K-12 public school ESL teacher in the U.S.
- University ESL instructor
- Private online English tutor (Correct answer)
- Corporate language trainer requiring accredited credentials
Correct answer: Private online English tutor
Certificates without practicum hours are typically sufficient only for informal or private tutoring roles, not accredited institutional positions.
TESL Requirements and Qualifications 2
Which organization offers the CELTA certificate specifically focused on teaching English to adults?