Teacher Certification

» Project S.P.E.A.K Courses (pdf)

To look at Missouri certification requirements, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the DESE Web site: www.dese.mo.gov
2. Select A-Z Index
3. Select C
4. Select Certification (Educator)
5. On Educator Certification page, select Certification Requirements
6. Select Other
7. On the Other Areas of Certification page, select English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). This document with the list of requirements will appear:

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL)
(GRADES K-12)

*Denotes minimum requirement of two (2) semester hours.
Revised April 2005

I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

A. A valid Missouri permanent or professional certificate of license to teach;

II. PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS*
(These shall be met by courses of at least two (2) semester hours, unless otherwise specified.):

A. Psychology and/or Education of the Exceptional Child (including the Gifted); and
B. Basic Reading Techniques for Secondary Teachers; and

III. PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESOL
(Minimum requirement of twenty-one (21) semester hours):

A. Linguistics and English Linguistics;
B. Language and Culture or Sociolinguistics;
C. Second Language Acquisition;
D. Methods of Teaching Second Language Students;
E. Material for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and the Assessment of Speakers of Other Languages;
F. ESOL Practicum; and
G. Elective Course work.

Teachers may choose additional courses from such areas as English language, reading, composition,
early childhood education, bilingual education or advanced second language methods according to the needs of their teaching situation.