How to become An ESL Teacher

An educator, a mentor, a supporter...and sometimes, even a friend; as an ESL Teacher, you will likely occupy many roles in the lives of your students and empower them in more ways than one. While primarily hired to teach English as a second language, an ESL Teacher also helps students feel more at home in foreign countries or prepares them to live in an English-speaking country.

• TESOL Teacher
• EFL Teacher
• Literacy Teacher

What do ESL Teachers do?

An ESL Teacher would typically need to:

• Plan, create, and organise lessons for students across age groups and from different demographics; devise individualised lesson plans for students who need extra help; adapt the curriculum to the needs of individual or sub-groups of students
• Help students prepare for exams; create examinations and mock tests
• Provide feedback on oral and written tests, class participation and performance, and homework
• Keep records of students’ understanding and track their progress
• Use a variety of materials and techniques, including new audiovisual and written material, to help students get a better grasp on English;
• Provide a respectful, supportive and nurturing environment where students feel comfortable enough to thrive, improve, and meet their goals
• Attend necessary training sessions; contribute towards the day-to-day running of the school by planning, organising and volunteering at school events
• Help maintain order during out-of-classroom activities, day trips, and special events
• Participate in marketing events for the school; create information packages or brochures about the services you provide at school or provided by the school
• Prepare necessary documents for inspection and other quality control measures
• Assist with administrative tasks such as attendance keeping and student registrars

Depending on the employer, an ESL Teacher’s work environment may differ. If working at a school, an ESL Teacher will typically work in a classroom environment amongst students and with fellow teachers.

If working as a freelancer, an ESL Teacher may have multiple work environments. Alternatively, if they are working online, an ESL Teacher may work from home.

Work hours differ based on where you are working. 

An ESL Teacher working in a school environment will follow the schedule set by the school; typically, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, often, they need to spend long hours planning lessons, grading papers and giving feedback. 

Like other teachers, an ESL Teacher would also have to hold meetings with parents, participate in school activities, and hold office hours.

If working from home, as a freelancer, or part-time at a language school, government or non-governmental organisation, ESL Teachers will have a more flexible schedule. In these cases, schedules need to be agreed upon and decided between the ESL Teacher and the employer.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. ESL Teachers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. 

ESL Teachers are generally employed by:

• Commercial Language Schools
• Public and Private Schools
• Summer Schools
• Government Organisations
• Multinational Organisations
• Non-Governmental Organisations

• Educational Organisations

• Online Learning Platforms

Professional associations and organisations such as TESOL International Association are crucial for an ESL Teacher interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Managing a classroom, being organised and on time; dealing with students who behave inappropriately or disruptively in classrooms
• Struggling to create a healthy work-life balance where you are not overwhelmed by the long hours needed to grade exam papers or mark homework
• Providing individual feedback to students in an objective yet empathetic manner
• Organising and managing paperwork
• Creating a flexible and accommodating schedule when working with adult learners, who might prefer evening classes after work or during the weekends

Work experience can be an asset when you are looking for work as an ESL Teacher. Working as a language assistant or tutor in a summer school, language centre, summer camp, refugee organisation, or working abroad as a volunteer can be especially helpful. Sometimes, you can get short-term job opportunities with just a little experience.

Typically, an ESL Teacher must have a bachelor’s degree. While requirements vary across regions, a bachelor’s degree in education, ESL, linguistics, or literature is preferred above other subjects.

Generally, ESL Teachers must have an accredited TESOL, TESL, or TEFL certification. Certification requirements can be completed as part of your ESL bachelor or master’s degree or separately from a certification board.

There are 40-, 60-, 100-, 120-, or 150-hour long online programs that offer more flexibility. Full-time courses, which take place in a traditional classroom setting, are more intensive and often run for four weeks, though part-time options do exist. In addition, some providers offer an online, blended learning course with a judicious mix of self-study and hands-on teaching practice.

Along with a certification in TEFL or TESOL, in some regions, you might also have to be a licensed teacher or educator to work full-time as an ESL Teacher.

Performance, experience, certification, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression for ESL Teachers. There are some opportunities for advancement within the field.

ESL Teachers can be promoted to senior positions such as Subject Leader or Director of Studies within schools or language schools. Managerial roles typically lead to additional responsibilities such as administrative work and marketing and promotion while lessening direct involvement with students.

ESL Teachers can also choose to work as freelancers or combine part-time work at a learning institution with another part-time or full-time job. Possible job opportunities include working in marketing & publishing, academic & general management, writing books & scholarly material, training teachers, marking examinations, teaching at a school, college, or university and giving private tuitions. 

If working online or as a freelancer, an ESL Teacher’s hourly rate or numbers of students may increase as they become more well-known and gain a good work record.

Certifications, required licenses, work experience, and a good record help ESL Teachers get jobs by helping them demonstrate their credibility and expertise to prospective employers.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active ESL Teacher build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

Keep in touch with local, national, and international TESOL organisations to keep track of new workshops or courses that might help further your career as an ESL Teacher. 

Make sure to attend relevant conferences about TESOL/TEFL teaching. Network well with other ESL Teachers since networking can help open up CPD and job opportunities. 

Stay updated with current and new teaching methods by attending teaching workshops hosted by local schools and professional organisations. 

While not required, obtaining a master’s degree might help you with your career progression, primarily if you work in an academic environment such as schools and universities.

A master’s degree might also lend you greater credibility if you intend to establish a language learning platform.

Know the Difference

ESL, which stands for “English as a Second Language”, generally refers to teaching English to non-native speakers in a predominantly English-speaking country. 

On the other hand, TEFL, which stands for “Teaching English as a Foreign Language”, refers to teaching English in foreign countries where English is not the first language. 

Sample Classes

As an ESL Teacher, your curriculum may include the following courses during your bachelor’s study or while completing your certification course: Second Language Acquisition; Classroom Management; Sociolinguistics; English Grammar and Pronunciation for Language Teachers, Assessment of Diverse Students and Curriculum Development. 

Type of Certification

There are different types of certificates for ESL Teachers, depending on their career track and whether they want to teach at home or abroad. The most common terms you will come across are the following: TEFL, TESL, and TESOL.

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is used when teaching English in a foreign country where the native tongue is not English. Students may wish to learn English for several reasons, including work, travel, and education.

Teaching English as a second language (TESL) is used when teaching English to non-native speakers in a predominantly English-speaking country. Students are often refugees, immigrants, and exchange students or workers.

Teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) is an umbrella term that refers to and adopts both TEFL and TESL qualities in their courses.

Note that there isn’t a single uniform program or institution for either TEFL, TESL, or TESOL. Instead, program requirements, length, hours, prerequisites, and the quality and validity of the certification differ based on which program and institute you choose.

Online Work Platforms

Recently, as the number of people who want to learn English has increased, demand for ESL Teachers have also increased, especially on online learning platforms. There are numerous online platforms where you can work as an ESL Teacher remotely. 

Furthermore, online platforms are often more flexible about your qualifications, though better capabilities ensure that you have better pay and more students. 

Things to Keep in Mind before Heading Overseas

As an ESL Teacher, you will have many opportunities to work abroad, teaching international students English as their second language. 

If travelling abroad to teach English, make sure to find out as much as possible about the country you will be moving to, including what qualifications you may need, what your salary will be, and what accommodations you will have.

Though not a necessity, knowing foreign languages yourself would help you teach more effectively, especially if you need to communicate with students in their mother tongue.

Viable Options

Increasingly, there are many viable and relevant online options where you can complete your TESOL certification or obtain an ESL bachelor’s or master’s degree. Often, online options are cheaper than physically enrolling in an institution.

Approximately 20% of the Earth’s population, around 1.5 billion individuals, is learning English as a foreign language.

As an integral part of the global education system, ESL Teachers ensure people from different countries have the opportunity to use the popular Lingua Franca - English to thrive and flourish in all aspects of their lives.

Teaching students from various backgrounds and ethnicities who are used to different teaching styles can be challenging. However, like any other teacher, it is crucial to establish a safe environment and respectful relationship between you and your students.