Become an ESL Teacher
A substantial population of people living in the United States lack the elementary English skills needed to function at their full potential. Sometimes this is due to a lapse in the educational system, but often it is because they are new immigrants. ESL teachers help teach basic English skills to people who would otherwise not be able to communicate properly and fully function in society.
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To address this issue, many communities and adult education schools employ ESL teachers to teach classes in English as a Second Language. If you love reading and writing English, why not help others learn more about it by becoming an ESL instructor? Or, for the more adventurous, try teaching English abroad!
ESL Teaching Degrees
Requirements for ESL teaching degrees can vary widely, depending on the type of instruction involved. Some foreign countries require nothing more than a native English speaker and a Bachelor of Arts degree in any subject. In the United States, each state has different standards and requirements. A bachelor's degree, master's degree and even additional teaching certification are usually required to obtain an ESL teaching position.
ESL Teacher Job Description
ESL instructors teach adults to speak, write, listen and read in English. They work in a wide variety of situations with students of different backgrounds and different ages. Students may not share a common language or cultural background and progress at varying rates. As a result, instructors have to tailor lessons to the needs of each student.
Lessons are geared toward helping the student in real-life rather than academic situations. Since communication between instructors and students can be difficult, creativity is often the key to success. Aside from conventional workbooks and quizzes, many ESL teachers use activities such as crossword puzzles, flashcards with pictures and songs to help students retain knowledge. Many ESL instructors work part time, averaging between 20-25 hours a week. Classes are usually scheduled to accommodate students who are either employed during the day or have family responsibilities.
ESL Teacher Salary and Job Opportunity
Since ESL teachers work in many different situations, the pay scale varies greatly. ESL instructors can be paid hourly or by salary. The average annual salary of a full-time instructor is listed at $44,000 according to Indeed.com.
U.S. employment opportunities for instructors with ESL teaching degrees should be favorable, especially in states with large populations of non-English speaking residents. ESL degree holders who wish to work abroad find the greatest employment opportunities in Asian and Latin American countries. It's best to do research before committing to a position abroad, which can last from one to two years or more.
