NC TEACH Alternative Licensure for TESOL K-12

North Carolina Teachers of Excellence for All Children (NC TEACH) K-12 Teaching English as a Second Language alternative licensure is for mid-career professionals who want to become licensed teachers. Through this program, they will help meet North Carolina’s growing need for English as a Second Language classes in any of the public school systems.

The K-12 Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) certification area is designed to offer residency license teachers. They will build a foundation in applied linguistics and the method for teaching. They will be prepared to teach English in classrooms from kindergarten through high school.

NC TEACH Teaching English as a Second Language Program Distinctions

Unlike many TESOL programs that prepare people for adult education, international teaching, or language institutes, this pathway is specifically aligned with North Carolina public school ESL teaching.

Participants work closely with mentors and faculty on evaluations, reflective conversations, and instructional feedback. These mentors also provide the NC TEACH participants with supportive classroom management and planning materials.

Earn Your NC TEACH Licensure for Teaching English as a Second Language

Students in the NC TEACH English as a Second Language (K-12) program enroll in a sequence of education courses and engage in field-based experiences as residency license teachers in local public school systems. They will be trained to serve students with a primary language or first learned language other than English.

In North Carolina, Children enter the school systems with different English proficiencies. Teachers will learn how to assist those with minimal, moderate, and advanced proficiency. Alternative licensure participants learn legal, historical, and cultural contexts for English as a Second Language. They will take Applied Linguistics for Teachers and Clinical Experience in Teaching.

As part of the required coursework, they may choose one of the following to elevate their teaching methods:

• Educational Implications of Learning and Developmental Theory
• Educational Psychology and Differentiated Instruction

Funding and Scholarships While Getting Licensure

With funding from a National Professional Development grant, program applicants may be eligible to receive full tuition support to complete the NC Teach program in TESOL. To learn about this opportunity, visit the Project Ignite (Innovation to Grow, Nurture, and Inspire Teachers of English-learners) website.

Each year, the School of Education awards over $1 million in scholarships and graduate assistantships to students. The Haggai Academy is a scholarship program that provides scholarships of up to $8,000 per year, as well as a wide range of additional enrichment opportunities, for non-traditional students (24 years of age or older) pursuing an initial teacher license.

After Graduating With TESOL K-12 Alternative Licensure

Completing NC TEACH’s English as Second Language licensure program allows graduates to qualify for North Carolina’s initial standard professional I license. With this, they may teach ESL courses for any K-12 grade in a North Carolina public school. Candidates may also earn a master’s degree with limited additional coursework. Some go on to work with pre-service or inservice teachers in educator programs and district offices.

The U.S. Department of Education requires that all higher education institutions advise students as to whether their curriculum provides them with the eligibility to apply for a professional license and/or certification in the state for which they plan to practice. As such, please review UNC Greensboro’s status by state for the initial teaching license. You should note whether the program either “meets”, “does not meet”, or if there “has not been a determination” of the program’s status in the state for which you plan to practice. Review the Licensure Reciprocity Information.