How many languages do ESOL teachers know how to speak? What preparation does an ESOL teacher need?
Actually, the only language an ESOL teacher has to know is English. The ESOL teacher is required to understand theories in linguistics, particularly how students acquire a second language. A helpful attribute is to be able to empathize with the students desire to learn English and his/her difficulty in doing so. The ESOL teacher must be certified in ESOL or have an ESOL Endorsement to teach ESOL. Three courses, Cultural Issues, ESOL Methods and Materials, and Applied Linguistics, are required by the State of Georgia for the ESOL Endorsement.
