California Teachers of English Learners Certificate

The 2009-2010 application period for this certificate closed on July 1, 2009. If you are interested in applying for the 2010-2011 academic year, the details and deadlines will be posted here soon.

Twenty-five percent of all children enrolled in California Public Schools are designated as English Learners (ELs) and require specialized instruction in English Language Development. The teachers who provide this instruction for ELs must hold the appropriate professional certification.

It is critical that all teachers meet the needs of diverse students and are sensitive to the language and cultural diversity of all students. Pursuant to California Education Code Section 44259.5 experienced teachers and out of state teachers must have the Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD) authorization.  This requirement can be met through the California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL) Examination or through coursework.  To meet this challenge, California State University, Chico has designed a four course CTEL Certificate Program to satisfy the required California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) CLAD Authorization.  Upon completion of the coursework, candidates will apply to CCTC to receive the CLAD Authorization.

The courses for the CTEL certificate will provide the basic knowledge necessary to meet the needs of California's diverse student population. Participants will learn skills such as:

• Developing knowledge of the nature, structure, use, and acquistion of first and second languages
• Implementing and reflecting on instructional practices that promote language development and make grade-level content accessible
• Exploring the nature of culture, cross-cultural communication, and how issues of culture influence knowledge construction

Pre-Requisites for Admission

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Admission into the CSU, Chico Graduate School
• Possession of a teaching credential

Required Courses for the CTEL Certificate

The CTEL certification is a 12-unit, competency based sequence of courses leading to a CTEL certificate. Each course may be completed via an online format.

Candidates for this certificate must successfully complete the following coursework:

• BLMC 518 (3 units): The Language and Communication Skills of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Children
• BLMC 536 (3 units): Introduction to Multicultural Education
• BLMC 672 (3 units): Methods and Strategies for Second Language Acquistion and Academic Development
• BLMC 689 (3 units): Practicum in Language, Culture, and Academic Development for the Practicing Professional

In addition, an experience in learning a second language is required. A number of options are available to meet this requirement. A meeting with an advisor is essential to discuss these options. The CTEL certificate courses may count toward the completion of a master's degree in education.

Upon completion all coursework and meeting the foreign language requirement, please print and complete the CLAD Authorization online Recommendation Information Form (MS Word or PDF).  Please contact the CSU, Chico Credential Analyst Office in THMA 213 (530-898-6455 or enr-credentials@csuchico.edu) for information about the recommendation process to CCTC and fees.

Application Process

Contact the Department of Professional Studies in Education, 530-898-5398, or the Department of Education, 530-898-6421 for general information. To discuss your professional goals, please contact the CTEL Certificate Advisors: Program Coordinator Dr. Esther Larocco (530-898-5802) or Dr. Charles Zartman (530-898-4069).

To apply for the CTEL Certificate Program, please complete a Graduate School application available online at CSU Mentor. Specialized application instructions are available here.