TESOL is always working to improve English language teaching worldwide, and the creation of teaching and learning standards is an integral part of that goal. TESOL standards and best practices initiatives respond to a very real need of English language teachers, and comprise projects in various states of completion. For information on the status of any pending standards project, please contact
TESOL Advocacy & Professional Relations.
The standards are intended to provide a framework for organizations to use in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs that prepare candidates to teach English as a second or foreign language that require 120–180 interactive hours. For an overview of the standards, a
recorded virtual seminar is available.
TESOL's "PreK–12 English Language Proficiency Standards" represent a starting point for developing effective and equitable education for ESOL students. These standards were developed to complement the discipline-specific standards created by other professional associations and groups. View the
framework for the standards.
The "TESOL Technology Standards" focus on how English language teachers, teacher educators, and administrators can and should use technology in and out of the classroom.
Standards for Adult Education
TESOL offers two sets of adult education standards:
Confused about the Common Core? Concerned about how it will affect your English learners? This page can help. It has background information about the Common Core as well as specific information on the impact of implementing the standards on ESL teachers and their students.
TESOL International Association created these guidelines for anyone charged with developing EFL professional teaching standards in postsecondary institutions, government agencies, ministries of education, and other entities.
The
Standards for Initial TESOL Pre-K–12 Teacher Preparation Programs outline the professional expertise needed to prepare effective Pre-K–12 TESOL educators in the United States.