New York ESL Teacher Job Description and ESOL Certification Requirements

New York remains the shining example of our country’s melting pot reputation. In 2025, New York City hosts over 3 million immigrants—the largest in its history as America’s gateway—comprising about one-quarter of the state’s population and workforce (2024 est., American Immigration Council).

English Language Learners (ELLs) continue to represent ~10% of New York’s public school students (PreK-12), with over 239,000 ELLs statewide (NCES, 2023 est.). This growing demand makes ESL teaching a vital career in 2025. Start your certification journey today!

These steps will show you exactly how to earn TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification and become an ESL teacher in New York:

	Earn a Degree in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Qualify to Become an ESL Teacher in New York
	Pass the Required Exams
	Apply for Your New York Teaching Certificate in ESOL
	Consider Earning a Master’s in ESL as You Maintain and Upgrade Your New York Teaching Certificate in ESOL
	Learn More About ESL Teacher Salary Expectations for Jobs in New York

Step 1. Earn a Degree in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Qualify to Become an ESL Teacher in New York

New York offers both a primary teaching certificate and an additional certificate on a valid teaching license in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) PreK-12.

If you’re new to the teaching field and you haven’t yet completed a bachelor’s degree, learning how to become an ESL teacher in New York involves either completing an ESOL bachelor’s or master’s degree within a registered teacher preparation program or completing a program in elementary, secondary, or special education and then choosing ESOL as a minor or earning an ESL certificate concurrently.

Already a New York certified educator and want to add an additional certificate in ESOL?

If you already hold a New York educator certificate, you can earn an additional certificate in ESOL by completing an undergraduate certificate, graduate certificate, or master’s in ESL.

For example, The City College of New York – Hunter offers an TESOL PreK-12 MA for licensed educators that consists of 30-36 credits leading to an additional certificate in ESOL.

Already have a bachelor’s degree in another field?

With a bachelor’s degree in another field, you may qualify to enroll in a master’s degree program leading to an initial teaching certificate in ESOL. Many schools that offer bachelor’s level teaching certificate programs also offer master’s options that include all of the coursework and student teaching experiences required to become certified as a New York educator with an ESOL endorsement.

For example, the City College of New York offers an MS in TESOL that is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field and leads to an initial teaching certificate in ESOL.

Step 2. Pass the Required Exams

Passing the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) is a must for all would-be teachers in New York. These tests are given at the Basic, Content Area and Performance Assessment levels.

Basic testing

Prospective ESOL teachers in New York who are seeking an initial teaching certificate must pass this basic skills test:

• NYSTCE- Literacy Skills Test – this will test your skills in reading and writing to sources
• NYSTCE – Educating All Students Test (EAS) – this will test your competencies in school-home relationships, teacher responsibilities, students with disabilities and other special learning needs, English language learners, and diverse student populations

Content area testing

You must also pass the following content specialty area test to become TESOL certified in New York:

• Safety Net English to Speakers of Other Languages – Content Specialty Test (CST) – ESOL – this test includes selected-response and constructed-response questions on developing English language proficiency across the curriculum, the ESOL program, and foundations of ESOL instruction.

Performance assessment

Finally, all New York teachers must pass an assessment of their performance. For prospective ESOL teachers, it is:

• edTPA – English as an Additional Language

Step 3. Apply for Your New York Teaching Certificate in ESOL

Once you have completed the educational, experiential and examination requirements listed above, you are ready to apply for your New York teaching certificate in ESOL. Additional requirements that you must meet before applying include:

• If you graduated from a New York teacher preparation program – you need an online statement from the institution recommending you for certification. Contact the certification officer at your institution to make sure this has been completed.
• All applicants, regardless of their path, must complete a six-hour Dignity for All Students workshop in harassment, discrimination and bullying prevention and intervention. A list of approved providers for this workshop is here.
• All applicants, regardless of their path, must receive Fingerprint Clearance by completing a criminal history background check.
• If you already hold a teaching certificate, either in New York or another state, or completed an approved teacher preparation program in another state, you must also complete the following workshops:
  • Child Abuse Identification – 2 clock hours from these approved providers
  • School Violence Intervention and Prevention – 2 clock hours from these approved providers

When you are ready, you may apply online for certification through the New York TEACH System. Make sure to have transcripts from all institutions that you attended sent directly to the NYSED. Copies of teaching certificates you hold must be mailed as well. Pay all applicable fees online. Items should be submitted to: The University of the State of New York, The State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives, Room 5N-EB, 89 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12234.

After you have submitted your application and necessary supplemental materials, you can check the status online here. The NYSED will review it and let you know if you are deficient in any areas.

Step 4. Consider Earning a Master’s in ESL as You Maintain and Upgrade Your New York Teaching Certificate in ESOL

Your Initial Certificate is valid for five years, during which time you must complete the requirements for a Professional Certificate. You must accrue at least two years of teaching experience and complete a mentoring program to qualify.

If you obtain a master’s degree in TESOL from an approved graduate teacher preparation program, this will also speed up your transition to a Professional Certificate. Examples of such degrees available in New York include:

• Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language
• Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Master of Science in Teaching – Concentration in TESOL
• Master of Science in Education

Your Professional Certificate remains valid continuously. However, you must prove that you have maintained the professional development (PD) standards of the NYSED every five years by completing 175 hours of PD. Your school district will keep records of your PD hours and report them to the NYSED.

Step 5. Learn More About ESL Teacher Salary Expectations for Jobs in New York

As of May 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports updated salary ranges for New York educators, adjusted for inflation (2025 data pending). ESL teachers, driven by demand from 239,000+ ELL students, often align with these figures:

Elementary School
– Early Career (25^th percentile): ~$63,000
– Median: ~$85,500
– Experienced (90^th percentile): ~$140,000

Middle School
– Early Career (25^th percentile): ~$68,500
– Median: ~$91,000
– Experienced (90^th percentile): ~$142,500

High School
– Early Career (25^th percentile): ~$70,000
– Median: ~$92,000
– Experienced (90^th percentile): ~$141,500

Here’s what ESL teachers earn in key metro areas (May 2023, adjusted):

Albany (Elementary School)
– Early Career (25^th percentile): ~$61,500
– Median: ~$81,000
– Experienced (90^th percentile): ~$116,500

Buffalo (Middle School)
– Early Career (25^th percentile): ~$57,000
– Median: ~$76,500
– Experienced (90^th percentile): ~$106,000

NYC (High School)
– Early Career (25^th percentile): ~$74,000
– Median: ~$95,000 (ESL teacher salary NYC)
– Experienced (90^th percentile): ~$140,500

You can explore ESL teacher jobs and connect with others in your field by joining the New York TESOL Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get ESL certification in NY?
Depending on your path, an ESL certification in New York can take 1–2 years with a master’s degree (e.g., 30–36 credits at City College) or 6–12 months via alternative programs, plus exam and experience requirements.

May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary estimates, adjusted from May 2020 data for inflation (2025 data pending). Figures represent state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2025.

National Center for Education Statistics, English language learner (ELL) students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, by state: Selected years, fall 2021 Data accessed April 2024.

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