Although Indiana’s ELL population in 2007-2008, according to the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition, is relatively low at around 46,400, this number does mark a dramatic increase of 409 percent since the prior decade. The question is whether such an influx can continue in the coming decade, which would be a clear indicator of the need for more ESL educators in the state. The top five languages spoken by ELLs in Indiana are Spanish, German, Pennsylvania Dutch, Dutch, and French.
The Future for Indiana TESOL Educators
According to a 2007 release published by Indiana University, teacher certification program director Faridah Pawan noted that Indiana’s need for ESL-certified teachers has boomed and will continue to grow. As of 2007, Indiana public school classrooms had an average of only one properly certified educator per 60 ELLs. Data compiled in May 2012 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the state is slightly above average in the number of literacy instructors it hires, but dips below average in how many qualified teachers there are compared to the need that exists. The U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listing reports that there has been a shortage of English as a New Language teachers in Indiana for every school year since 2007-2008.
Finding a TESOL Job in Indiana
- The Indiana School Personnel Job Bank allows districts to post teaching openings in the state’s public K-12 schools.
- Occasional openings for director, test scorer, lecturer, and administrator are on the INTESOL Jobs Board.
Indiana TESOL Resources
- INTESOL is the Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages professional organization, the state branch of the international TESOL association. In addition to publishing a journal and hosting conferences and trainings, organizers oversee the K-12 EL Leadership Group. The group is made up of educators, trainers, program coordinators, and administrators and meets in Indianapolis to discuss current issues facing Indiana’s ELLs and their educators.
- IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education maintains an informational page regarding state law, department policies, and resources for ELLs and ESL educators.