An ESL teacher is an educator who teaches students whose first language isn’t English. Most ESL teachers work in private schools and community colleges, but some go abroad to work in foreign countries teaching English to students in public and private language schools.
Job Duties
ESL teachers provide individualized and small groups with English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL) instruction. They collaborate and communicate with the students to help them develop proper grammar understanding, reading skills, writing techniques and spoken language competencies. They also teach vocabulary through theme-based instructional and interactive games. ESL teachers work with school administrators, language teachers and instructional coaches to provide language support and other forms of academic assistance to students. ESL teachers usually work with groups who are divided into specific levels of linguistic competency, such as basic, intermediate and advanced groups. They prepare and deliver appropriate lessons for varying needs, such as basic conversations or English exam preparation.
Required Education
ESL teachers will need a bachelor’s degree in teaching, education or English from an accredited institution. An English major will be introduced to the history of the English language and various literary texts from historical periods. They will most likely take classes in Medieval, Victorian, World, British and American Literature. An English major can focus on a particular area of study, such as literature or creative writing. A literature specialization will allow them to understand the historical development of British and American literature through various critical theories of textual analysis. A creative writing concentration will help students develop skills in writing prose, poetry or screenplays. Most ESL teachers who study English will also study at least two years of a foreign language. They may even specialize in foreign language literature or minor in another language.
Required Graduate Education
Most ESL teachers have a master’s degree, but a graduate certificate in ESL studies is sufficient for most employers. These programs will introduce students to culture, so students will understand how cultural norms, groups and identity impact language acquisition and comprehension. Learning the theories of language production will help students to understand the development of language skills throughout the human life cycle. This is important because ESL teachers must understand basic things, such as acquisition theories, grammar concepts and applied phonetics, as well as advanced things, like syntax, semantics and morphology. Learning about assessment theories and practices will prepare ESL teachers to provide exit, formative, standardized and placement tests.
Resource: Top 10 Best Online Masters in Teaching Degree Programs
Training and Certification
ESL teachers must generally complete an ESL training program. Many of these offer study abroad opportunities. Foreign-based certificate programs in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) are quite popular with recent graduates. These programs help individuals learn how to assess students’ language skills, teach grammar lessons and practice real-world conversational skills. Once ESL teachers are ready to work in the U.S., they will need to secure teaching licensure. These requirements will vary by state, but they will always require a bachelor’s degree and the completion of an approved teacher training program. ESL teachers can ensure their success by focusing on results and achieving success in increasing student achievements. They must know how to motivate others to realize their potential and effectively interact with people across cultures.
An ESL teacher who wants to find an international job can do so at the most popular ESL website known as Dave’s ESL Cafe.
