English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching Certification

A significant demand for well-trained English as a second language (ESL) teachers exists throughout the United States. In areas such as education, business, hospitality and many more, the opportunities to teach English as a Second Language abound.

Drexel’s Certification in Teaching English as a Second Language* (also referred to as a TESL or ESL Certification), approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, provides a strong foundation for second language acquisition.

The 13.5-credit English as a Second Language (ESL)​ teaching certification program is taught by expert faculty who integrate readings, discussion, practicum, and case study experience throughout the program.

Curriculum covers the theory and practice of second language education, the structure and sound of English, the design and test of ESL course materials, as well as broader issues in intercultural learning. It does not require that the instructor speak another language.

Courses include:

In addition to coursework, students are also expected to complete field experiences ranging from 10-30 hours per course.

C​redits earned through this online TESL certification program may be applied toward the MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum: Advanced Teaching Track​.

Course descriptions may be found in the Drexel University Course Catalog​.

The program can be completed in as little as 6 to 12 months. Students typically take two classes per term. Drexel University utilizes a quarter system with each academic term lasting 10 weeks plus an additional week for final exams.

Teaching English as a second language in Pennsylvania requires the Program Specialist: ESL certificate.

The Teaching English as a Second Language certification is a Pennsylvania add-on certificate available to students who currently possess a Pennsylvania Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate. This online ESL program satisfies PA State of Education requirements for certification in Teaching English as a Second Language. Upon completion of the program, the student may then apply for PA ESL Specialist certification on Pennsylvania​'s TIMS system to obtain an ESL position.

Teaching English as a Second Language requirements vary state by state; applicants from outside PA should consult with their state Department of Education prior to enrolling in their program for specific interstate agreement requirements.

The Teaching English as a Second Language Certification program is taught 100% online. You can get started by filling out the Drexel Online application. To review additional program information, visit Drexel Online, or request information.​ Students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and hold a Pennsylvania Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate.

To complete you application to the program, you will need to provide a following materials:

English as a Second Language (ESL) certification is an add-on certification for licensed teachers that allow them to help non-English speakers to learn, speak, read, and write in English. Certified ESL teachers apply best practices in helping students understand the complexities of the English language and communicate effectively in English.

The main difference between ESL and TEFL is location. Teachers who are teaching English to non-native speakers in countries where English is the primary language spoken are known as English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. An English teacher who is teaching English to non-native speakers in a country where English is not the primary language spoken would be referred to as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) educator.

Most states require ESL teachers to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, preferably in education, English or a field related to teaching English to non-native speakers. In Pennsylvania, ESL is an add-on certification for licensed teachers, meaning you must first obtain teaching certification before you can add ESL certification.

With more and more children speaking languages other than English in the home, the need for ESL teachers has risen. Currently, there is a national shortage of ESL teachers.

ESL certified teachers can teach English to non-native speakers in grades K-12. They may teach classes in public, private and parochial schools or in organization/government settings.

*NOTE:The Drexel TESL credential is designed as an add-on credential for certified teachers working in U.S. elementary and secondary schools. It is not designed for teaching English outside the United States and may not be modified to do so.

While some of the theory and pedagogical approaches for teaching English language learners is the same, the school contexts and the experience of students and their families is very different in an immigrant context such as the U.S. as opposed to an international setting where English is a foreign language.

Further, the course curricula, readings, and assignments in the Drexel TESL credential assume the U.S. school context, including current standards, testing mandates and curricular approaches.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP): What It Is, How To Become One

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a formal recognition of expertise in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement saving.

Owned and awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the designation is awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial exams, then continue ongoing annual education programs to sustain their skills and certification.

CFPs are there to help individuals manage their finances. This can include a variety of needs, such as investment planning, retirement planning, insurance, and education planning. The most important aspect of a CFP is to be a fiduciary of your assets, meaning that they will make decisions with your best interests in mind.

CFPs are all-encompassing, particularly when compared to investment advisors. CFPs will usually start the process by evaluating your current finances, including any cash, assets, investments, or properties, to come up with an estimate of your income and net worth. They also take a look at your liabilities, such as mortgages and student debt.

From this point on they work with you to come up with an individualized financial plan. For example, say you are nearing retirement, the CFP will create a financial plan that can see you through your retirement years. Or perhaps you have a child that will be starting college. The CFP can help create a financial plan to manage that cost.

A CFP is a financial adviser who has earned a certification that indicates in-depth knowledge of financial planning. The requirements to become a CFP are some of the most difficult and stringent in the financial industry.

All CFPs are held to the standard of fiduciary duty. That means they must always put your interests as a client ahead of their own. For example, if they would more money selling one product over another, but the product that made them less money was better for you, that is the product they must recommend.

A CFP's fiduciary duty is clearly laid out by the CFP Board and states "At all times when providing financial advice to a client, a CFP professional must act as a fiduciary, and therefore, act in the best interest of the client."

The board goes on to state that three duties must be met by an adviser with a fiduciary duty. These are (1) duty of loyalty, (2) duty of care, and (3) duty to follow client instructions.

Earning the CFP designation involves meeting requirements in four areas: formal education, performance on the CFP exam, relevant work experience, and demonstrated professional ethics.

The education requirements comprise two major components. The candidate must hold a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited university or college. Second, the candidate must complete a list of specific courses in financial planning, as specified by the CFP Board.

Much of this second requirement is typically waived if the candidate holds certain accepted financial designations, such as a chartered financial analyst (CFA) or certified public accountant (CPA) designation, or has a higher degree in business, such as a master of business administration (MBA).

As for professional experience, candidates must prove they have at least three years (or 6,000 hours) of full-time professional experience in the industry, or two years (4,000 hours) in an apprenticeship role.

Lastly, candidates and CFP holders must adhere to the CFP Board's standards of professional conduct. They must also regularly disclose information about any involvement in criminal activity, questions by government agencies, bankruptcies, customer complaints, or terminations by employers. The CFP Board conducts an extensive background check on all candidates before granting the certification.

Even successful completion of the above steps doesn't guarantee receipt of the CFP designation. The CFP Board has final discretion on whether to award the designation to an individual.

The CFP test includes 170 multiple-choice on more than 100 courses related to financial planning. The scope includes professional conduct and regulations, financial planning principles, education planning, risk management, insurance, investments, tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning.

The various subject areas are weighted, and the most accurate weighting is available on the CFP Board website. Further questions test the candidate's expertise in establishing client-planner relationships and gathering relevant information, and their ability to analyze, develop, communicate, implement, and monitor the recommendations they make to their clients.

Here's some additional information on the administration, costs, and scoring of the CFP exam:

Though a certified financial planner (CPA) and a chartered financial analyst (CFA) may sound similar, they are different certifications with different job functions and clients. A CFP works with individuals, often retail clients, helping them achieve their financial goals. This includes help in investing and retirement planning.

A CFA works with corporations performing investment analysis. CFAs focus on financial reporting, analysis, and portfolio management. They can trade financial products, such as derivatives, and help in mergers and acquisitions. CFA's usually work for investment banks and hedge funds.

If you are just looking to invest money in stocks and bonds, a CFP probably isn't needed.

If you are looking to manage your finances, investment choices, estate planning, and retirement planning, a CFP can help you with all of those needs.

A CFP is a step above a non-designated financial advisor and has demonstrated expertise in financial planning.

How much a CFP costs will depend on your specific needs.

On average, a CFP charges between $1,800 and $2,500 for preparing a full financial plan. You also should expect $4,000 for a flat-fee retainer or $250 per hour for hourly services.

No, CFP and CFA are not the same.

A CFP is a certified financial planner who provides financial planning advice to individuals. This includes help with investing, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax law.

A CFA is a chartered financial analyst who may work for an investment bank or hedge fund and performs financial analysis, modeling, trading, and portfolio management services.

No, a CFP is not equivalent to an MBA.

A certified financial planner (CFP) is qualified to advise individuals on financial planning.

The holder of a master of business degree has studied the way businesses operate.

The career paths differ. A CFP works in financial consulting or wealth management. An MBA may be a business manager, portfolio manager, financial analyst, financial strategist, or even an entrepreneur.

The CFP test requires a lot of preparation and covers a wide range of courses in depth. The best way to ensure you pass the CFP test is by preparing for it well in advance and sticking to a study schedule.

Becoming a CFP takes education and experience, as well as a strong grasp of financial ethics. The test to gain this distinction is comprised of 170 questions and is split into two three-hour sessions.

Even if candidates pass the test and meet all the requirements, the CFP Board still has the final say about whether to award this distinction. Given the stringent requirements, CFPs can be assumed to have an in-depth understanding of financial planning.

Learn to Swim and Dive

Description: This is a free program that is used to gauge the level of the swimmer so that they can more accurately be placed in the correct Learn to Swim Program. The purpose of this class is not to teach skills but to assess them.

Notes: Things you might want to bring to your child's Assessment; 2 towels, a swim shirt, and a snack for after swimming.

Assessment Days can be scheduled on request. A self-assessment may also be carried out using the questionnaire provided below.

Age: Any

Time: Appointment or see below

Location: Leisure Pool

Fee: None

Dates:

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with Gabrielle Springer at springg@miamioh.edu or (513) 529-6521.

Assess the level of your child by asking these questions:

This program helps familiarize children between the ages of 6 months and approximately 3 years with the water and teaches swimming readiness skills. Infants should be able to sit up independently before taking this class. This class is not designed to teach children to become swimmers or to survive in the water on their own. Instead, it gives parents information and techniques to help orient their children to the water and to supervise water activities in a safe manner. This class requires the participation of the parent or adult guardian in the water with the child during all class sessions.

Notes:

Things you will want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; swimsuit, extra swim diapers, 2 towels, swim shirt, comfort toy, and snack for after swimming.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the leisure pool at the assigned meeting area.

Age: 6 months to 3 years

Time: See below

Location: Leisure Pool

Sessions Resume Fall 2023

Rec Member $50 | Non-Member $70

6 months - 3 years old (30 minutes)

3 to 5 years (30 minutes) Min. 3

Children age 3-5 years old learn water safety, survival skills, and foundational swimming concepts in a safe and fun environment. Skills are age-appropriate, allowing students to achieve success on a regular basis.

Courses typically meet for 30 minutes over 6 sessions.

Age: 3-5years

Time: See below

Location: Leisure Pool

Rec Member $50 | Non-Member $70

Purpose: To orient preschool-age children to the aquatic environment and to help them acquire rudimentary levels of basic aquatic skills.

Prerequisites: There are no skill prerequisites for Preschool Level 1.

Notes:

Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels, swim shirt and snack for after swimming.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the leisure pool at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.

Age: 3-5years

Time: See below

Location: Leisure Pool

Purpose: Helps children gain greater independence in their skills and develop more comfort in and around water.

Prerequisites: Successfully complete the following Preschool 1 exit skills (can be done with support):

Notes:

Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels, a swim shirt, and a snack for after swimming.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the leisure pool at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.

Age: 3-5 years

Time: See below

Location: Leisure Pool

Purpose: To increase proficiencies and build on the basic aquatic skills learned in Preschool 1 and 2 by providing additional guided practice with increased distances and times.

Prerequisites: Successfully complete the following exit skills test (can be done with assistance):

Notes:

Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels, a swim shirt, and a snack for after swimming.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the leisure pool at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.

Age: 3-5 years

Time: See below

Location: Leisure Pool and Dive Well

Fee: Rec Member $50 | Non-Member $70

Sessions Resume Fall 2023

6-12 years old (30 minutes)

Our six-level Learn-to-Swim program is unlike anything offered by other learn to swim programs. The program is designed for children over 6 years all the way up to adults, and students progress through the levels at their own pace, mastering the skills in one level before advancing to the next. Each level of their Learn-to-Swim class includes training in basic water safety and helping others in an emergency, in addition to stroke development.

Courses meet over 6 sessions of 30 minutes each. Questions? Contact Gabi Springer, springg@MiamiOH.edu or (513) 529-6521.

Rec Member $50 | Non-Member $70

Description: Introduces basic aquatic skills, which participants continue to build on as they progress through the Learn-to-Swim program. In addition, participants start developing positive attitudes, effective swimming habits and safe practices in and around the water.

Purpose: To begin developing positive attitudes, good swimming habits, and safe practices in and around the water.

Prerequisites: There are no skill prerequisites for Level 1.

Notes:

Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels, swim shirt and snack for after swimming.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the leisure pool at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.

Age: 6-12 years

Time: See Below

Location: Leisure Pool and Dive Well

Level 2

Description: Marks the beginning of true locomotion skills. Swimmers learn to glide and float without support and recover to a vertical position. They further develop simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back, begin working on rotary breathing, and lay the foundation for future strokes.

Purpose: To begin developing positive attitudes, good swimming habits, and safe practices in and around the water.

Prerequisites: Successfully complete the following Level 1 exit skills exam:

Notes:

Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels, a swim shirt, and a snack for after swimming.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the leisure pool at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.

Age: 6-12 Years

Time: See Chart

Location: Leisure Pool

Sessions Resume Fall 2023

Description: Stroke Development. This program is designed to orient children between 6 and 12-years-old to the water and learn water safety, survival skills, and foundational swimming concepts in a safe and fun environment.

Purpose: To build on the skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice in deeper water.

Prerequisites: Successfully complete the following Level 2 exit skills exam:

Notes:

Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels, swim shirt and snack for after swimming.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the leisure pool at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.

Age: 6-12 Years

Time: See Chart

Location: Leisure Pool and Dive Well

Sessions Resume Fall 2023

Description:  Stroke Improvement.  This program is designed to orient 6 – 12-year-old children to the water and learn water safety, survival skills, and foundational swimming concepts in a safe and fun environment.

Purpose:  To develop participants’ confidence in the strokes learned in Level 3 and to Excellerate other aquatic skills

Prerequisites:  Successfully complete the following Level 3 exit skills exam:

Notes:  Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels swim shirt and snack for after swimming. 

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the Dive Well at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.   

Age: 6-12 years

Time: See below

Location: Dive Well

Sessions Resume Fall 2023

Levels 5 and 6

Description:  Stroke Refinement and Fitness Swimmer.  This program is designed to orient 6 – 12-year-old children to the water and learn water safety, survival skills, and foundational swimming concepts in a safe and fun environment.

Purpose:  To further learn how to coordinate and refine strokes, so participants swim them with more ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness and over greater distances.

Prerequisites:  Successfully complete the following Level 4 exit skills exam:

Notes:  Things you might want to bring to your child's swimming lesson; 2 towels, a swim shirt, and a snack for after swimming. 

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and swimmers) will meet in the Dive Well at the assigned meeting area. During the rest of the session, parents will go to the LTS observation area in the 50-meter pool.

Age: 6-12 years

Time: See below

Location: Dive Well

Sessions Resume Fall 2023

6-12 years old (30 minutes) 

Description:   Introducing and practicing the basics. This program is designed for children 6-12 years old that are interested in learning how to dive. Class structure will be customized for each child depending on skill level and speed of progression, while still working on the same basic skills. Divers will primarily focus on the front and back approaches, and front dives.

Purpose: Learn and practice the basics of competitive diving on the 1-meter board.

Prerequisites: No prior diving experience necessary. Must be comfortable swimming in deep water, measured by successfully being able to complete the following Learn to Swim Level 3 skills exam:

Notes: Things you might want to bring to your child’s diving lesson: 2 towels, swim shirt, and snack for after lesson.

On the first day of class, everyone (parents and divers) will meet in the Dive Well at the assigned meeting area.  Parents can sit in observation area on deck or in the gallery seats.

Rec Member $50 | Non-Member $70

Participants will learn how to perform a hurdle approach and then learn straight, tuck, and pike dives as well as how to stretch properly.

Children should be able to: dive from the side of the pool and swim 25 yards.

Participants will build on skills learned in Level 1 and work toward inwards, flips and diving from the 3-meter springboard. Advanced participants will be introduced to twisters and platform spotting.

Children should be able to: perform the straight, tuck, and pike positions and perform front and back dives.