Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Bilingual/ESL Approval or Endorsement

• What can Bilingual/ESL approval or endorsement be added to?
  
  
  • Early Childhood (Type 04) Certificate—Grades K–3.
  • Elementary (Type 03) Certificate—Grades K–4 or middle grades.
  • Secondary (Type 09) Certificate—Middle grades or senior high school.
  • Special (Type 10) Certificate—Grades K–4, middle grades, or senior high school.
    
    
• What are the coursework requirements for Bilingual approval or endorsement?
  
  You must have 18 semester hours of coursework, attached to an existing certificate. Coursework must be distributed in the following areas:
  • Foundations of Bilingual Education.
  • Assessment of Bilingual Students.
  • Methods and Materials for Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students in Bilingual Programs.
  • Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students.
  • Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language.
    
    
• What are the coursework requirements for ESL approval or endorsement?
  
  You must have 18 semester hours of coursework, attached to an existing certificate. Coursework must be distributed in the following areas:
  • Linguistics.
  • Theoretical Foundations of Teaching ESL.
  • Assessment of the Bilingual Student.
  • Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL.
  • Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students.
    
    
• What is Bilingual/ESL approval or endorsement?
  
  A Bilingual/ESL approval or endorsement consists of coursework taken either as a part of a teacher certificate program or after regular certificate has been obtained.
  
  
• Do I have to pass a test to get my Bilingual/ESL approval or endorsement?
  
  Yes, you must pass the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) language proficiency test for bilingual approval or endorsement.
  
  
• Do I need clinical experience to get my Bilingual/ESL approval or endorsement?
  
  Yes—you need 100 clock hours or three months teaching experience in a Bilingual/ESL setting as applicable.
  
  
• Is there a fee to add the Bilingual/ESL approval or endorsement?
  
  There is no fee for Bilingual/ESL approval, but there is a $50.00 fee for Bilingual/ESL endorsement if you are adding it to an existing certificate.
  
  
• Are there approved programs at colleges and universities in Illinois for Bilingual/ESL?
  
  Yes—there are several. For the most current listing, please visit: www.isbe.net/profprep/PDFs/Directory.pdf. View the Approved Certification Programs Overview from the table of contents.
  
  Please note that note every institution that is approved for Bilingual/ESL approval or endorsement does not also offer the Type 04 certificate.