What is a teaching license?
You are aspire to become an English teacher. A career that brings value to society, imparts knowledge to others, makes their lives more useful. You are looking for a job as an English teacher and have noticed that many job sites require a teaching license/certificate. And you feel quite confused because you do not understand whether they are different? In today’s article, Language Link will help you answer those questions.
I. Learn about teaching licenses and teaching certificates
Teaching licenses and teaching certificates sometimes make English teachers feel confused when reading a recruitment agency’s job board. Is it necessary to submit both these certificates? How should they be understood? Check out the details below.
1. What is a teaching license?
A teaching license is a form of licensing that allows you to legally teach and work as a teacher. The teaching licensing process can only be approved and granted by the state. The granting of a teaching license is subject to a number of issued laws and the applicant must meet the conditions given.
To obtain a teaching license, the first condition is that the individual must have a bachelor’s degree and successfully complete teacher training programs. Not only that, they also need to achieve a sufficient score if required to take additional aptitude tests. Depending on the country, or the English center where you are looking for a teacher position, there will be separate recruitment requirements. Typically, most public or private schools require a teaching license. Or in some other special cases.
Some types of teaching licenses:
- Temporary/ Provisional License for Teachers. Issued provisionally to an individual designated by the school as a temporary teacher. Because the school urgently needs additional teachers for short-term support. The individual has completed a bachelor’s degree but is in the process of completing other requirements. This is a short-term license. Used only temporarily so schools can address teacher shortages
- Initial License for Teachers. This type of license is issued to teachers who have completed the teaching requirements and are just starting their career on the path to becoming a professional teacher. teachers are authorized to teach in the areas of expertise and scope specified in this type of teaching license.
- Professional License for Teachers. This type of teaching license is issued to professional teachers. Has strong teaching capacity and experience. This type of license is also used when teachers are promoted to high and important positions
2. What is a teaching certificate?
Teaching certificate is a certificate of your foreign language proficiency. You must study and pass the leveled proficiency tests in order to pass this exam and get the certificate. There are several types of certificates, for which you need a bachelor’s degree to be able to take the course. Or have the prescribed number of hours and years of teaching required for each type of certificate.
Some of the popular English certificates today are:
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- TKT (The Teacher Knowledge Test)
- CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching To Adults)
- TEFL (Teaching English As A Foreign Language)
- TESL (Teaching English As A Second Language)
Almost all countries, English language centers, universities or international schools require teachers to have an English certificate if they want to work for their organization. A certificate is something that proves a teacher’s professional competence. It is also a testament to their value and what an organization can expect from them.
3. The benefits of a teaching license and teaching certificate
Although in some countries around the world, you can still become an English teacher without having any license or teaching certificate. However, getting those certifications or licenses gives you a lot of benefits that go beyond your expectations.
First, getting those certifications and teaching licenses shows how hard you have worked and studied. You are very serious about this career as a teacher and you want to go far with it. Next, some other benefits to mention are:
- You are legally taught.
- Show your high level of education and teaching ability
- Help you have a better source of income, boldly negotiate your desired salary and have the opportunity to increase your salary in the future
- Prove your worth
- Increase your confidence when teaching class
- Great career advancement opportunities
- Understand how to be able to achieve what you want, you need to have a learning method. From there, draw many lessons and have the experience to share it with your students
4. The difference between a teaching license and a teaching certificate
Simply put, a teaching certificate can be issued by any valid state-recognized institution, university or center. The process of getting a teaching certificate is also simpler. However, when it comes to more advanced positions, a teaching license will be preferred.
Teaching licenses need to follow strict state regulations. It is also approved and issued by the state. No institution or university has the right to arbitrarily provide teaching programs and license to teach without the permission of the state. Any university or college that wants to offer licensure programs needs to be approved and approved by the department of education. To qualify for teaching licensure, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.
In some cases, a teaching license can be used as an alternative to a teaching certificate and is also accepted.
II. How can I get a teaching license
A basic process for obtaining a teaching license includes:
- Firstly, you must get a bachelor’s degree. Surely you will not be able to become a professional teacher without a degree. You can become a part-time teacher, an online teacher or a temporary teacher. But it is impossible to pursue a career as a teacher seriously without a degree. Furthermore, your university major should be relevant to the field and grade level you wish to teach.
- Next, you need to complete the preparatory programs for teachers. For example, internship programs, teaching assistant experiences. You need to achieve the required number of hours of teaching experience to be able to participate in the teaching certification process.
- Participate in tests to assess ability and proficiency. And achieve certain score. Depending on the area of instruction, the test will vary.
- Some places will have additional background checks, fingerprints. Or some test of the principles of the teacher profession
- After completing all the requirements. You can apply for a temporary teaching permit to be able to teach directly in the classroom on your own while waiting for your official teaching license to be considered and issued.
Above is all the necessary information regarding licensure and teaching certification. Hope it can answer all your questions in the process of applying for a teacher position.
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