TESL Requirements and Qualifications 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) is designed for teachers who already have how many years of post-certificate teaching experience?
- No prior experience needed
- At least 1 year (Correct answer)
- At least 3 years
- At least 5 years
Correct answer: At least 1 year
Cambridge recommends candidates have at least 1 year of relevant teaching experience before undertaking the DELTA, which is an advanced qualification.
Question 2: Which federal U.S. legislation most directly affects qualification standards for ESL teachers in public schools by requiring teachers to meet 'highly qualified' criteria?
- The Higher Education Act
- No Child Left Behind Act / Every Student Succeeds Act (Correct answer)
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Title III of the Civil Rights Act
Correct answer: No Child Left Behind Act / Every Student Succeeds Act
NCLB and its successor ESSA set standards for teacher qualifications including those serving English Language Learners in public schools.
Question 3: A TESOL graduate program in the U.S. typically requires applicants to submit which standardized test score for admission?
- PRAXIS II
- GRE or GMAT (Correct answer)
- CSET
- Pearson TExES
Correct answer: GRE or GMAT
Most U.S. graduate programs, including TESOL MA programs, require GRE scores (and sometimes GMAT) as part of the admissions process.
Question 4: Which credential would best qualify a teacher to work specifically with refugee adults in a federally funded ESL literacy program?
- A 40-hour online TEFL certificate
- A state ESL endorsement or adult education credential (Correct answer)
- A CELTA with a children's extension module
- A TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) band score
Correct answer: A state ESL endorsement or adult education credential
Federally funded adult ESL and literacy programs typically require instructors to hold state-recognized adult education or ESL credentials.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the Praxis II Subject Assessment for English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)?
- To certify private language school instructors
- To measure content knowledge for state teacher licensure in ESOL (Correct answer)
- To rank candidates for competitive CELTA enrollment
- To assess non-native speakers' English proficiency
Correct answer: To measure content knowledge for state teacher licensure in ESOL
The Praxis II ESOL test measures subject-matter knowledge and is used by many U.S. states to grant ESOL teaching licenses or endorsements.
Question 6: Which type of background check is almost universally required for ESL teachers working with minors in U.S. schools?
- Credit history check
- FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check (Correct answer)
- Social media content review
- Professional reference polygraph
Correct answer: FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check
U.S. states mandate FBI fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all educators, including ESL teachers, who work with children.
Question 7: A teacher holding a TESOL certificate from a non-NCATE/CAEP accredited institution wants to get a public school ESL license in most U.S. states. What is the most likely outcome?
- The certificate will be accepted as full equivalency
- The teacher will need to complete additional state-approved coursework or a program (Correct answer)
- The teacher will be automatically disqualified
- Only the GRE score will be evaluated
Correct answer: The teacher will need to complete additional state-approved coursework or a program
Non-accredited certificates typically do not satisfy state licensure requirements, so teachers usually must complete coursework through state-approved programs.
TESL Requirements and Qualifications 3
The DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) is designed for teachers who already have how many years of post-certificate teaching experience?