Certificate in California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL) Leading to CLAD Certification

The California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL/CLAD) program of Alliant International University (Alliant) is designed to assure that all California teachers are prepared to serve the needs of English learners.

The purpose of the Alliant CTEL program is to provide teachers the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to deliver effective instruction to culturally and linguistically diverse learners in order to promote their English language development and mastery of grade level content.  To accomplish this, the CTEL program offers a curriculum of four graduate courses that combine research-grounded theories with hands-on classroom applications that focus on:

1. Language structure and language development
2. Standards-based assessment
3. Instruction for literacy and language development
4. Specially designed academic instruction delivered in English (SDAIE); and
5. Culture and language learning. 

The courses also provide field work in the form of in-depth observations and interviews with practicing teachers in instructional settings with diverse learners.

Admissions Requirements:

All applicants recommended for a Cross-cultural, Language, and Academic Development Certificate (CLAD) must meet the following requirements: 

1. Possess a valid California teaching credential, services credential, children’s center instructional permit, or children’s center supervision permit which authorized the holder to provide instruction to pupils in preschool, kindergarten, any of grades 1 to 12 inclusive, or classes primarily organized for adults except the following:
   
   • Emergency credentials or permits
   • Exchange credentials as specified in Education Code Section 44333,
   • District intern certificates as specified in Education Code Section 44325,
   • Sojourn certificated employee credentials as specified in Education Code Section 44856;
2. Teacher education internship credentials as specified in Article 3 (commencing with Education Code Section 44450) of Chapter 32
3. Degrees: Candidates must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited in the US or its international equivalent.
4. Transcripts: Copy of official transcripts must be submitted from accredited institutions of higher education where BA or MA was obtained by the candidate. When official transcripts are not immediately available, candidates may supply unofficial documents and be admitted on a conditional basis.
5. Upon receipt and review of all documentation, the candidate will be considered for final admission. Final admissions decision will be made by the program director and HSOE CTEL Admissions Committee. 

Program Design

The CTEL program consists of four courses designed to meet the program purpose.   These courses are taught at the Master’s level and can apply towards the Master of Arts in Education: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program. 

Students completing this CCTC-approved program will receive their CLAD Certificate and are not required to take the CTEL test. Course waivers will be given for successfully passing corresponding sections of the CTEL test. (See CTEL Credential Analyst for details).