What do pipe cleaners made out of lank hair and a Brazilian foot fetish research project have in common? All are part and parcel of the life of an ESL teacher, which is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever undertaken. An ESL teaching job can be a gateway to culture and travel, nurtured personal development and an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, not only in the classroom but also in the wider scope of learners’ lives across the globe. If you’re a graduate seeking flexibility and a break from the campus routine that has constricted you for the last four years, an ESL teaching job could be right for you. Maybe you’re a professional or vocational-school grad who is now wondering, ‘What’s next?’ An ESL teaching job could take you places and let you experience things that you never thought possible. Or perhaps you’re looking for a career change and are wondering what your next professional move should be. An ESL teaching job could be just what you’re looking for. In this article, I’ll cover the basics of entering the ESL teaching workforce. From the benefits and requirements of ESL teaching, to the different paths and experiences open to the ESL teaching professional, this article will help guide you into the ESL teaching community, a place that will educate you, entertain you and enrich your life.
Why Pursue ESL Teaching?
Global Opportunities
There has never been a greater need for English language education, and the countries leading the way are in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. With English becoming more and more important as the global language of business, science and technology, the demand for qualified ESL teachers is also rising. In a time when the number of jobs available to the average native English speaker seems to be diminishing, that means unprecedented job opportunities for you, and the opportunity to work in places that are culturally and geographically diverse.
Cultural Immersion
ESL teaching is a chance to immerse yourself into another culture. Through this career, you will get experience that few other jobs can offer. By living and working abroad, you will get all aspects of another culture, including the customs, traditions and the language. This experience can help broaden your horizons and also give you a chance to relate with a plethora of people.
Professional Growth
It also develops other traits, such as communication as well as adaptability and problem-solving. Success at these tasks is transferable, and jobs in education (such as instructional design or educational consulting) may lie in store, as may leadership roles.
Making a Difference
One of the best parts of teaching English as a Second Language is that you can truly see the impact you’re having on your students. You’re teaching them a skill – English – that will open countless doors in their school and work lives. You’re seeing people improve their lives before your eyes. many of those student relationships will remain with you for the rest of your life Working with ESL students can be extremely fulfilling.
Types of ESL Teaching Jobs
Private Language Schools
Starting their ESL career in a private language school is quite common. Students at these schools can be aged anywhere between 5 and 65 years old, and the programmes are comprehensive and planned, offering the teacher flexibility and allowing them to experience what it’s like to work in a private school.
Public and Private Schools
Working in public or private ESL schools is a more viable long-term career choice. Usually you’ll be expected to teach English as part of the standard curriculum. That means plenty of time with the students themselves. In many countries, working in public schools means you’ll be entitled to things such as paid annual leave and health insurance.
University Positions
University careers, however, provide professional rewards (for those with a teaching qualification and several years’ experience, the most sought-after posts are at universities). At this leading level, ESL teaching often takes the form of courses that are restricted to students in that institution (‘academic writing’, ‘presentation skills’ and ‘English for specific purposes’). Posts at this level generally pay more, offer opportunities for research and are likely to involve teaching adults, some of them highly motivated.
Corporate Training
Corporate ESL teaching focuses on business professionals. In this branch, teachers work on improving the spoken English of adult learners in fields such as business English, presentation skills or vocabulary specific to a certain industry. The corporate training sector can be a highly paid one, as the work tends to be with adult learners in a business context.
Online ESL Teaching
The emergence of digital platforms to learn English has become a very lucrative market place for teaching English online. Teaching English online provides legitimacy and comfort with the ease of travelling and access from home anywhere around the world. This might be an attractive job for many who wish to earn some extra income or work part-time.
Qualifications and Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree
Most ESL positions require a bachelor’s degree, though what area of study you majored in might not be specified. Although degrees in education (TEFL), English, or linguistics are helpful, some employers are more concerned with your ability to teach – and experience – over your academic background.
TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Certification
To get an ESL job, a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), or CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) – essentially, any certification in teaching English to a foreign language – certificate is a must. Not only does it give you the training to teach English at a high level, it also confers the credentials you’ll need most employers to secure a work visa.
Teaching Experience
Although, if you are applying for some of these positions, you are still going to have a better chance of being picked for an interview if you have teaching experience already. If you don’t have any, getting involved with something like volunteering, tutoring or being a teaching assistant can build the experience to apply for those harder-to-get positions.
Cultural Awareness
To build a rewarding career as an ESL teacher abroad, you may need your students and colleagues to feel comfortable in your presence. This means demonstrating a genuine appreciation for their culture and making an effort to understand and respect their customs and traditions. The ability to exhibit cultural awareness and sensitivity is often a big part of why ESL teachers are successful in their placements abroad.
Finding ESL Teaching Jobs
Online Job Boards
Dave’s ESL Café and Go Overseas are helpful resources, as are job listings dedicated to the ESL field, such as ESL Jobs. These sites list ESL teaching jobs around the world with full job descriptions, requirements and how to apply.
Recruitment Agencies
You can also work with a recruitment agency to make your search for a job easier. Among the many labour placement agencies, Teach Away and Footprints Recruiting caters to ESL teachers and will have you in a trustworthy school with their assistance in applying for a visa, negotiating contracts, and moving.
Direct Applications
You might want to apply to a particular country or institution or if you already know of a particular place you want to work at (if you have a link) you can also apply directly to schools or Universities. Make sure to really research the institutions, and you can reach out with a resume and cover letter tailored to show your interest in the position.
Networking
Networking with other ESL teachers can lead to job leads and good information ‘Network like crazy,’ said Noonan. ‘Go to the TEFL website and any other site. Go to teaching conferences. Get on LinkedIn and friend educators.’ Noonan finds that networking results in job leads and good information on how to get work. Being invisible on the internet doesn’t help you get in the door. The more offline and online time you spend with your contacts, the more you stay top-of-mind and most likely to be considered for jobs that aren’t advertised to the general public.
Tips for Success in ESL Teaching
Stay Adaptable
The most important thing to do when you are an ESL teacher is to stay flexible. You have to learn to deal with students, who speak little English, who expect a different teaching style because of what they learned before, and who come from a totally different culture. If you stay flexible and open-minded, you will be able to deal with every class at any given time.
Engage Your Students
Creative and engaging teaching approach is essential in ESL. Try different methods such as involve interactive games, group work, and practical situations in a real world environment.
Continuous Learning
The field of ESL is dynamic. New methods as well as pedagogical and technological tools are regularly introduced. Keep abreast of what’s going on by regularly attending workshops, reading educational literature, and by pursuing professional development opportunities wherever possible.
Build Strong Relationships
Develop good relations with your learners and coworkers because having a good reputation goes a long way to ensuring your successes. Also, be friendly, patient, and helpful, understand your learners as individuals, and know their feelings, needs and learning goals.
Conclusion
ESL teaching is a path that will take you anywhere. It will make you richer and wiser. You will travel to far-flung places, broaden your own horizons, and gain valued skill sets. Your students will learn English, but more importantly you will become the person who had the power to change their lives for the better. When I look back at my 30 years of service teaching ESL, I am thankful that I continue to find fulfillment every day. If you like travel, are open to learning new things about yourself and others, if you want your career to ultimately have a positive impact on the lives of others, ESL teaching is a path that will carry you to beautiful places in the world, and inside your own life too. ESL teaching is a rich path that can be both personally and professionally rewarding. It can work for you both during times of upheaval and stability in life. What do you have to lose? The best way to start your own journey down the ESL teaching path is to begin by getting the proper vocational training so that you are well-informed, qualified, and equipped as an educator. Let the journey begin today!
