DD is currently a high school senior. She is leaning towards ESL, but ultimately would like to get Masters in TESOL and live and teach overseas at some point as well.
We live in PA, and from my limited research (and understanding), she can get a Bachelors in English education, secondary, but will then need to take another 18 credits to get certified for ESL. My niece, a teacher, has said English is a tough major for finding employment, so should probably go for the ESL. I have only found the ESL program as part time so at least an additional year plus classroom work in the field. So maybe not be able to find employment while seeking the ESL. The TESOL masters would come later, and is often done once employed in a school district.
However, I found that SUNY Oswego has a bachelors in TESOL, From website: “TESOL majors can seek initial certification upon graduation and apply to teach ESL in K-12 schools” DD could skip the additional course in PA, but would that NY degree limit her to teaching only in NY?
Another teacher I spoke with told me she thought PA certification seemed to have more requirements than some other states, so something else to consider.
On top of this is very, very limited finances. The PA state schools are barely affordable, and to add the extra layers to ESL w/o a position is very concerning. NY might be more expensive, initially, but earlier employment is huge.
Anyone have any thoughts on the best possible pathway? or other things we haven’t considered. TIA.