Bilingual and ESL Approval

Language Proficiency Test Registration

Approval vs Endorsement

Bilingual and ESL Approval

Approval as a bilingual or ESL teacher may be obtained by first making application through the office of a Regional Superintendent of Schools on ISBE Form 73-49, Request for Approval as a Bilingual or ESL Teacher. A statement of approval will be issued to individuals meeting the following requirements:

A. Possess a valid regular teacher certificate from Illinois (Type 03, 04, or Type 09).

B. Complete 18 semester hours of graduate credit distributed among five areas (at the Illinois Resource Center, these five areas entail five core courses and 1 elective). Choice of courses is dependent on the approval you are seeking and the approval options are outlined below.

C. Possess 100 clock hours of bilingual or ESL clinical experience or three months teaching experience in bilingual or ESL programs.

D. Pass a language examination in the non-english language to be taught (applies to bilingual approval only).

Individuals who obtain an ESL approval may only teach in this capacity at the grade level for which their regular certificate is valid. Individuals 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.

Courses offered at IRC for ESL Approval
(18 graduate credit hours)

1. Foundations in Language Minority Education
2. Assessment of Language Minority Students
3. Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
4. Cross Cultural Education
5. Introduction to Linguistics OR Bilingualism and Reading: Linguistic Considerations
6. One elective course (see list of elective courses)

NOTE: Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Students may be taken as an elective for ESL Approval.

Courses offered at IRC for Bilingual Approval
(18 graduate credit hours)

1. Foundations in Language Minority Education
2. Assessment of Language Minority Students
3. Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
4. Cross Cultural Education
5. Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Students
6. One elective course (see list of elective courses)

NOTE: Introduction to Linguistics may be taken as an elective for Bilingual Approval.

You must also pass the Language Proficiency Exam in the non-English language to be taught. (See Language Proficiency Test Registration Information).

Courses offered at IRC to obtain both ESL/Bilingual Approval
(18 graduate credit hours)

1. Foundations in Language Minority Education
2. Assessment of Language Minority Education
3. Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
4. Cross Cultural Education
5. Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Students
6. Bilingualism and Reading: Linguistic Considerations

You must also pass the Language Proficiency Exam in the non-English language to be taught. (See Language Proficiency Test Registration Information).

Elective Courses offered at the IRC

• Bilingualism and Reading: Linguistic Considerations
• Technology Instruction for Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students
• Developing Multicultural Awareness and Literacy Through Children's Literature

Language Proficiency Test Registration

Applicants may receive the test registration bulletins from colleges and universities with approved teacher education programs or their Regional Office of Education. Applicants may now also sign up online for the tests.

Approval versus Endorsement

There is no difference in the validity of an approval versus an endorsement—they are both equally valid. An approval comes in a separate letter from the State Board of Education and is valid for the same grade levels for which your teaching certificate is issued. For the endorsement, your teaching certificate will be reprinted to include the endorsement, allowing you the advantage of having all information appear in one document. However, please be aware that, if you teach in a middle school (grades 6-8) and choose to apply for the endorsement, there is a $30.00 fee and you are required to complete two additional middle grade courses. There is no fee for the approval, and no additional courses are required if you are teaching in the middle grades.

If you have any questions, please call Jolene Reddy, Division of Professional Certification, 1-800-845-8749, or refer to the website at www.isbe.net.