California statute requires that every teacher who provides instructional services to an English Learner be authorized to provide specialized instruction for those learners. This instruction would either 1) help the learners to understand instruction that is taught only in English, 2) help the learners develop their ability to listen, speak, read and write in English, 3) be provided in the learners' primary language as English is acquired, or 4) be taught in a language other than English for those learners in a dual immersion program. These are more commonly referred to as English Language Development (ELD), Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE), also referred to as ‘integrated’ language development, and bilingual instruction.

Different authorizations are available for distinct purposes and credential holders.

ELD: Instruction for English language development

Integrated ELD: Instruction in which the state-adopted ELD standards are used in tandem with the state-adopted academic content standards. Integrated ELD includes specifically designed academic instruction in English (SDAIE).

Designation ELD: Instruction provided during a time during the regular school day for focused instruction on the state-adopted ELD standards to assist English learners to develop critical English language skills necessary for academic content learning in English. (ELD within course and content area.)

Departmentalized ELD: English Language Development- offered in a standalone departmentalized classroom.

Bilingual Instruction: Instruction for primary language development and content instruction delivered in the primary language.

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements and submit them to the Commission:

• Possess a valid California teaching credential, Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential or Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential with a Special Class Authorization, Visiting Faculty Permit, Child Development Permit, Children’s Center Instructional Permit, or Children’s Center Supervision Permit authorizing the holder to provide instruction to pupils.

• Verification of experience learning a second language obtained through one of the options described in "Options for Satisfying the Second Language Requirement for those without a Bachelor's Degree" sections A through P. Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university are deemed to have satisfied the second language requirement.

• Verify one of the following:

  • Passing scores on Test 1, 2, and 3 of the California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL) Examination.  Scores used for certification purposes may be no older than ten years from the individual passed exam date. 

  • Completion of course work in a Commission-approved CTEL program.  Once the program has been completed the program sponsor must recommend the applicant for the EL authorization or CLAD Certificate. 

  • Completion of course work in a Commission-approved CTEL program combined with passing scores on the CTEL Examination, based on equivalency as determined by a Commission-approved CTEL program. 

  • Possession of a Supplementary Authorization in English as a Second Language and completion of three semester units of college course work in the theories and methods of SDAIE or possession of a Certificate of Completion of a 45-hour SDAIE program conducted by a California school district. Coursework completed under this option must be verified by a Commission-approved CTEL program for a determination of equivalency. The CTEL program will determine remaining requirements based on prior coursework and experience and recommend the applicant when all program requirements are satisfied.

  • Possession of an SB 1969 Certificate of Completion issued by a school district or county office of education, or a Certificate of Completion of Staff Development (CCSD) issued by the Commission and completion of nine semester units of upper division coursework verified by a Commission-approved CTEL program for a determination of equivalency. The Certificate of Completion or CCSD satisfies 3 upper-division semester units towards the CLAD Certificate for each 45-hour program completed. The CTEL program will determine remaining requirements based on any prior coursework and experience and recommend the applicant when all program requirements are satisfied.

  • Possession of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate in Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language or Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a New Language. A photocopy of the certificate must be submitted along with the application packet.

If an individual is applying for a Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Teaching Credential and evidence of a full EL authorization from a state other than California is submitted with that application packet, there is no need to apply separately for the EL Authorization or CLAD Certificate; the EL authorization will be listed on the corresponding teaching credential. There is no need to submit a separate application and fee if applying via this method.

All other individuals who hold an EL authorization from a state other than California may apply directly to the Commission for an EL Authorization or CLAD Certificate by satisfying all of the following:

• Possess a valid California prerequisite credential.

• Satisfy the second-language requirement.

• Submit a copy of the out-of-state credential verifying a full EL authorization.  See Guide to Out-of-State English Learner Authorization/Endorsements

• Completed 41-4

• Application processing fee

Earning an EL Authorization or CLAD Certificate through course work is an alternative to earning the certificate by examination. Commission-approved programs for the CLAD Certificate based on the California Teacher of English Learner (CTEL) standards became available in January 2008. Once the program has been completed, the program sponsor must submit an online application as a formal recommendation for the applicant for the EL Authorization or CLAD Certificate.

The CTEL Examination consists of the following three subtests:

• CTEL 1: Language and Language Development

• CTEL 2: Assessment and Instruction

• CTEL 3: Culture and Inclusion

Information regarding exam dates, fees, and registration may be obtained by contacting the CTEL program directly.

CTEL Program

Evaluation Systems

Group of Pearson

P.O. Box 340819

Sacramento, CA 95834-0819

http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com

(866) 851-3815 or (916) 928-4002

Individuals who hold a valid Language Development Specialist (LDS) or CLAD Certificate may apply to have the EL authorization added to any eligible prerequisite credential or permit with the submission of an application (form 41-4) and current application processing fee. This action is not required. These documents remain valid as long as the holder’s prerequisite credential is valid.

Individuals who have met all of the requirements for an EL Authorization or CLAD Certificate by examination or out-of-state equivalency may apply directly to the Commission by submitting items 1-4 listed below (as applicable):

• One of the following:

  • Original or photocopy of a CTEL examination score report. 

  • Photocopy of the out-of-state credential listing a full English learner authorization.

• Verification of meeting the second-language requirement, see options 1 - 16 below.

• Completed 41-4

• Application processing fee

These options may be used in lieu of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. Options 1 - 16 must be satisfied with a single language.:

1. Complete six semester units (or nine quarter units) in course work that emphasizes the learning of a language other than English, including American Sign Language (A grade of "C" or better, "Pass", or "Credit" must be earned in each course). This option must be verified by an official transcript from a regionally-accredited college or university, or comparable institution outside the United States. Professional Development and Continuing Education Units from such institutions are acceptable. Course work in the methodology of teaching a language is not acceptable. (See option 16).

2. Complete 90 hours of language training, with a grade of "C" or better or the equivalent, in a language other than English offered under the auspices of the California Department of Education’s Bilingual Teacher Training Program (BTTP), or by a county office or school district whose program, prior to its implementation, has been deemed equivalent to the BTTP by the California Department of Education (This training is to be verified by a letter signed by an authorized representative of the BTTP, county, or district program.

3. Complete training in a language other than English given by the Peace Corps to volunteers preparing to serve in a non-English speaking country, verified by official Peace Corps documentation.

4. Pass of any two of the four parts-listening, reading, speaking, and writing of Test 6 of the BCLAD Examinations, verified by an official score report. The BCLAD Examination is no longer initially offered. Passing exam scores remain valid for seven years from the individual test date.

5. Pass any nationally administered, standardized examination in a language other than English for which the Commission has established a passing score, verified by an official score report. Currently, this includes the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) in American Sign Language, Arabic, Armenian, Cantonese, Farsi, Filipino, French, German, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

6. Obtain a proficiency level of “novice-high” or above on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Inc. Proficiency Guidelines or "0+" (zero plus) or above on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) (currently available only to government employees) Proficiency Descriptions, verified by an official score report.

7. Obtain a score on a College-Level Examination Program examination in a language other than English administered by the College Board equal to or higher than the minimum score recommended by the American Council on Education for awarding credit for two semesters, verified by an official score report (For more information, contact CLEP at [609] 771-7865).

8. Possess a teaching credential from another state that authorizes instruction in a language other than English, verified by a copy of the credential.

9. Reside in a non-English speaking country or countries for 12 consecutive months at age 18 or older, verified by passports, work visas, letters from employers, or other documents.

10. Complete one academic year (over a single period) at age 14 or above at a school in which instruction was provided in all subject areas, and all instruction, except in the subject area of English, was delivered in a language other than English, verified by an official transcript or a letter from the school.

11. Complete two academic years, between the ages of 10 and 14, at a school in which instruction was provided in all subject areas, and all instruction, except in the subject area of English, was delivered in a language other than English, verified by an official transcript or a letter from the school.

12. Initial arrival at age 12 or older in the United States after having spent the years from birth to age 12 in a non-English speaking country or countries, verified by a birth certificate, passport, entry visas, or other documents.

13. Complete three years school course work in a single language other than English. (The course work must be taken in grades 7-12, with an overall average grade of “B” or better. This option must be verified by an official school transcript or an original letter from the principal, school registrar, or authorized district representative of the school where the course work was completed).

14. Pass an Advanced Placement Examination offered through Educational Testing Service (ETS) at a level for which college credit or advanced standing in a language other than English is awarded (This option must be verified by either an official transcript from a regionally-accredited college or university showing credit awarded via the examination, or by an original letter from the institution’s registrar or admissions office indicating that advanced standing was awarded).

15. Pass a college or university placement examination in a language other than English that satisfies a one-year second language requirement, results in six semester units in the language awarded on transcripts, or serves as the prerequisite to the second year course in the same language (This option must be verified by either an official transcript from a college or university showing credit awarded via the examination, or by an original letter from the institution’s registrar or admissions office indicating the number of units granted or describing the advanced placement resulting from the examination).

16. Any combination of options "A" and "B" above resulting in the equivalent of six semester units of course work in a single foreign language (Fifteen hours of BTTP training are considered equivalent to one semester unit of course work at a regionally-accredited college or university).