Dual Language Licensure (ELS-TBE)

Becoming a Dual Language (DL) Teacher

(For English Language Learner students whose home language is Spanish)

In order to work as a Dual Language (DL) Teacher, you need to have ONE of the following credentials issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE):

Professional Educator License (PEL) with the appropriate content area endorsement consisting of
- a Bilingual Education Teacher - Spanish endorsement and
- an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement; or a
PEL with the appropriate content area endorsement and an Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) with a Transitional Bilingual Educator (TBE) endorsement in
- Bilingual Education Teacher - Spanish (ELS-TBE); or only an
Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) with a Transitional Bilingual Educator (TBE) endorsement in Bilingual Education Teacher - Spanish (ELS-TBE)

The ELS-TBE is a temporary credential you can use to teach while you work on the requirements to get full Dual Language (DL) licensure.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What do I do if I have an educators license outside of Illinois?

If you already have a degree in education from another state or country, you qualify for the temporary bilingual license (ELS-TBE) using one of the following three (3) options:

You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the United States (U.S.); and pass a Language Proficiency exam in Spanish (ILTS – 056)
You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution in a Spanish speaking county that has the equivalent of regional accreditation in the U.S.; and pass a Language Proficiency exam in English (ILTS – 055)
You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university in the United States; and you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution in a Spanish speaking county that has the equivalent of a regional accreditation in the U.S. No testing is required for this option since you have demonstrated proficiency in both Spanish and English during your higher educational studies.

What exam should I take?

How can I apply for an ELS-TBE?

Once you have passed the appropriate Language Proficiency exam and accepted a DL teaching position, you will need to apply for the ELS-TBE. To do this you will first create an account in the ISBE Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS), which can be accessed on Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).

Where to Send Documents

While the system recommends that you have your official transcripts showing college coursework sent to ISBE in Springfield, we strongly suggest that you send your documents to the Kane County Regional Office of Education (ROE) instead.

NOTE: If you have foreign credentials, you need to have them evaluated by a professional evaluation company. Please select one from the ISBE Foreign Credential Services Sources document

Contact Kane County ROE

Electronic: transcripts@kaneroe.org or licensure@kaneroe.org
US Postal Services: 28 N. First St., Geneva, IL 60134
Call: 630-232-5955

How can I secure a position within U-46?

Once you pass the appropriate language proficiency exam, you will want to look for a teaching position as a Dual Language Teacher before applying for the ELS-TBE.

It’s best to not apply for the ELS-TBE until you have secured a teaching position.
The ELS-TBE is valid for 5 or 6 years (depending on when it is issued) and it CANNOT be renewed.
You want to be able to teach with the license while you work on the requirements for full Dual Language Licensure.
Once the ELS-TBE expires, you CANNOT be employed as a Dual Language teacher until you have full Dual Language licensure (PEL with the appropriate content area teaching endorsement, a Bilingual endorsement and an ESL endorsement).

APPLY TODAY!

Types of Dual Language Positions

Elementary School

ONE WAY dual language positions at the elementary level can be taught by teachers with either an ELS-TBE only or a PEL and an Elementary Education (K-9 or 1-6) endorsement and a bilingual endorsement.
- NOTE: A teacher with a PEL and an Elementary Ed endorsement and the ELS-TBE can also teach in a 1-way DL position.
TWO WAY dual language positions at the elementary level must be taught by a teacher with a PEL and an Elementary Education (K-9 or 1-6) endorsement. A PEL with an Elementary Education endorsement is required because there are English dominant students in these classrooms.
- NOTE: A teacher with only an ELS-TBE can teach the Spanish portion of a 2-way DL team teaching position.
- NOTE: A teacher with a PEL and an Elementary Ed endorsement and the ELS-TBE can also teach in a 2-way DL position.

Middle School

DL positions at the middle school level can be taught by teachers with either an ELS-TBE only or a PEL with a Bilingual Endorsement and the appropriate content area endorsement.
Transitional (instruction is in English) positions at the middle school level can be taught by teachers with either an ELS-TBE only or a PEL with an ESL endorsement and the appropriate content area endorsement.

High School

DL positions at the high school level can be taught by teachers with either an ELS-TBE only or a PEL with a Bilingual endorsement and the appropriate content area endorsement.
Transitional (instruction is in English) positions at the high school level can be taught by teachers with either an ELS-TBE only or a PEL with an ESL endorsement and a content area endorsement in the subject to be taught.

What if I have a pending position?

Because this license can take a few weeks to issue, if an administrator within the district is interested in hiring you, we can request a RUSH on your evaluation for the license on your behalf.

This RUSH can only be sent after you apply for the license/approval in ELIS and have submitted all of the required documentation to the ROE.
After we request a RUSH, it can take up to a week for the license to be issued. ISBE will send you an automated email when the license/approval has been issued, but we strongly recommend that you check your ELIS account periodically for updates.

What happens after my license issues?

Once your ELS-TBE has been issued, you will then need to register it in Kane County (31-KANE ROE) so that your license will be considered valid for employment within our district. For assistance with completing this process, please review ISBE's How to Guide.

NOTE:

The initial application fee for your license will be $100.00.
Once it has issued, you will then need to register it in Kane County. This cost to register will be $50.00.

Additional Resource Links

Pathway to Licensure
How to create an ELIS account

ILTS - Illinois Licensure Testing System

ESL (English as a Second Language)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Video

ISBE Foreign Credential Services

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