How to become an ELA teacher

Is becoming an ELA teacher right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do ELA teachers do?

Still unsure if becoming an ELA teacher is the right career path? to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become an ELA teacher or another similar career!

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How to become an ELA Teacher

Becoming an ELA teacher involves education, certification, and practical experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Bachelor’s Degree
Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a focus on English language arts, or a related field like English, literature, or linguistics.

Some schools offer distinct ELA education programs. Areas of focus may include English literature, comparative literature, linguistics, writing studies, drama, and film and media.

Teacher Preparation Program
As part of a bachelor's degree, you must complete a state-approved teacher preparation/student teaching program. This program includes pedagogical training on how to effectively teach ELA, classroom management, and curriculum development. Depending on the school, it may be part of your degree curriculum or completed after graduation.

State Certification / Licensing
After completing a bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program, you must obtain state certification (in the US) or equivalent in your country. Certification requirements vary by state, but typically include passing standardized exams, such as the Praxis English Language Arts Content Knowledge Test, the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), or state-specific tests; providing proof of student teaching experience; and completing a background check.

Teaching Experience
Many teachers begin their career in ELA teaching as a substitute teacher, tutor, or teaching assistant to build experience.

Master’s Degree (Optional but Beneficial)
Some ELA teachers choose to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education, English, or Curriculum and Instruction to enhance their knowledge, improve their teaching methods, or qualify for advanced teaching roles (e.g., higher education or specialized ELA positions).

At the graduate level, students may choose to specialize in areas like ESL (English as a Second Language), special education, or AP/IB (Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate) instruction to expand career opportunities.

Ongoing Professional Development
Attend workshops, conferences, and training programs to stay updated on teaching strategies.

Certifications
ELA teachers can pursue several professional designations and certifications to validate their proficiency in English language arts education:

  • National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) – Offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) - USA, this is a voluntary, advanced certification that demonstrates a teacher’s expertise and commitment to professional growth. National Board Certification for English Language Arts is available for Early Adolescence (ages 11–15) or Adolescence and Young Adulthood (ages 14–18) levels. The process involves portfolios of student work, assessments, and teaching reflections.
  • Dyslexia Specialist Certification – Teachers who work specifically with students who have dyslexia (a lifelong learning disorder that affects reading and spelling, which can also cause problems with writing and math) can pursue certifications through organizations like the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), an affiliate of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). These certifications demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in diagnosing and providing instruction to students with dyslexia.
  • TESOL/ESL Certification – For teachers working with non-native English speakers, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or ESL (English as a Second Language) certifications may be required. These certification programs, offered by various institutions and organizations, focus on teaching English language skills, grammar, and vocabulary to learners whose first language is not English.
  • AP/IB Teaching Certifications – Teachers who wish to teach Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) English Language Arts courses may need to complete specific training or certification for those programs. Typically, these certifications, which involve coursework and exams, are available as a part of a university program at an AP-qualified or IB-qualified institution. Many universities offer credit for AP and IB courses and exams, allowing students to potentially skip introductory courses and move into more advanced studies.

Professional Organizations
There are several professional organizations for English language arts teachers that provide resources, support, and networking opportunities:

  • National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) – One of the largest and most prominent organizations for ELA educators in the US, NCTE provides resources like journals, lesson plans, conferences, and professional development opportunities. It advocates for improving literacy education and advances the importance of English language arts in schools.
  • International Literacy Association (ILA) – ILA focuses on promoting literacy education worldwide. It offers conferences, publications, and research in literacy and reading instruction, and provides support for reading specialists and other professionals working in literacy development.
  • National Writing Project (NWP) – NWP is a network that brings together teachers to focus on improving writing instruction. It offers professional development and teaching strategies to enhance students' writing skills, and emphasizes collaboration and the sharing of best practices among teachers.
  • TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) International Association – This global association for teachers working with non-native English speakers provides resources for ESL/EFL instruction, conferences, and certification programs. ESL-English as a Second Language refers to teaching English in an English-speaking country, while EFL -English as a Foreign Language refers to teaching English in a non-English-speaking country.
  • International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) – ISTE focuses on the integration of technology in education, which is particularly important for ELA teachers who use digital tools in their teaching. It offers resources for teaching literacy and communication in the digital age.
  • National Education Association (NEA) – The NEA, the USA’s largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education.