English as a second language teacher : Entry requirements

Although this career is open to all graduates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• English;
• modern non-European languages;
• modern European languages;
• education;
• linguistics.

Posts in schools always require qualified teacher status (QTS). A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in Scotland, is the most common route for graduates to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS), unless your first degree included QTS.

A good first degree is usually necessary to enter postgraduate courses. For further information about obtaining QTS, refer to primary school teacher and secondary school teacher. It is essential to gain relevant experience before applying for a PGCE and to apply early. Applications are made through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) . All Scottish universities, except Paisley, recruit through the GTTR. Northern Irish universities recruit directly.

Qualifications required to teach ESOL within further, adult or community education vary according to each country within the UK.

In England all new ESOL teachers working within further, adult or community education are now required to register with the Institute for Learning (IfL) (the professional body for teachers and trainers in the learning and skills sector).

In order to gain Qualified Teacher: Learning and Skills (QTLS) status and teach English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) within adult or further education in England, you will need:

• a full teaching qualification - for example the Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Long Sector (DTLLS), a PGCE or a Certificate in Education;
• a subject specialist qualification in ESOL at level 4/5 (the majority are at level 5).

Both of these must be recognised by Standards Verification UK .

Some courses combine both the teaching and subject-specialist requirements in an integrated qualification. For further information and advice on gaining QTLS, contact Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK)  by email at advice@lluk.org or by telephone 020 7936 5798.

In Wales, a Standards Verification UK recognised teaching qualification is required before applying for ESOL teaching posts in Wales but there is no additional requirement for a subject-specific qualification.

In Scotland, teaching qualifications aren’t mandatory for teaching within further, adult or community education but many FE teachers complete the Teaching Qualification Further Education TQ (FE). Again, there is no requirement for ESOL teachers to complete an additional subject-specific qualification.

In Northern Ireland (from September 2009) all teachers within further, adult or community education are required to gain a PGCE (further education) or other recognised teaching qualification, with ESOL teachers also being required to complete the Queens University Certificate in the Teaching and Management of Literacy and Essential skills.

Pre-entry experience, e.g. through mainstream teaching, teaching English abroad or voluntary work, is important.

Potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• a strong interest in multicultural issues;
• sensitivity;
• tolerance;
• approachability, as you may act as a link between the student and society at large;
• patience;
• a sense of humour.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.