Are you wondering how to get your ESL certification in Michigan?
How to get an ESL certification in Michigan
If you’re a certified teacher, you can earn your ESL endorsement in Michigan. Teaching ESL can be an adventure. If you’re all about building relationships with students and advocating for them, you should consider teaching ESL.
The need for more ESL teachers
Dr. Connie Zucker is the ESL Program Director for Concordia University Ann Arbor. She is passionate about teaching ESL and encourages educators to think about expanding their skill sets. “The need for skilled ESL teachers is obvious. There is a large percentage of students [attending our schools] who do not speak English. [These students] are in everyone’s classroom. Earning the Endorsement in English as a Second Language expands teachers’ tool kits,” she states.
The demand for ESL-trained teachers is growing, with some schools requiring their teachers to become endorsed in ESL. While the majority of ESL students are found in elementary schools, most high schools in the United States have ESL students present. Even if a student isn’t classified as an ESL student, it’s possible that English was their second language, and now they’re considered “proficient” at English.
Every school can benefit from having trained ESL teachers. From expanding your cultural competency, to sharpening your strategies, you won’t regret earning your ESL endorsement. But, how do you actually get certified?
How to get certified to teach ESL in Michigan
- Enroll in a program approved by the Michigan Department of Education—
- and complete the 21 required credits.
- Sign up online for the MTTC-ESL test.
- Pass the test!
- Go to the MOECS website and apply for the endorsement.
- Once the University receives your test score from Pearson, they can approve it with the State.
- The new endorsement will be added to your existing teaching certificate, for the same grades that you are currently certified to teach.
Next steps
ESL teachers have the ability to inspire their students to embrace confidence and courage as English learners. Are you interested in earning your ESL Endorsement? Visit us here to learn more.
Earning your ESL endorsement is an investment in your professional development, and you won’t regret it.
— Vanessa Lane is the Content Marketing Lead at Concordia University and can be reached at vanessa.lane@cuaa.edu. When she's not at work, she can be found playing with her kids or watching NBA basketball with her husband.
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