Teaching English as a Second Language

Picking out a career track is difficult for anyone, especially college students. As a college senior, I was set to finish my English degree soon but had no idea what to do with it. However, I became interested in the field of TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language). In fact, I altered my graduate school plans to instead focus on learning to teach ESL. Students who are stuck between career paths might want to consider ESL as well. There are incredible rewards, such as meeting students from around the world, to the possibility of international travel, to the added perk that ESL teachers are especially in demand. Teaching ESL can lead to a lifelong network of friends from around the world.

I began my career first by taking classes geared towards my eventual teaching positions. It's important to complete coursework in teaching methodologies, theories of language teaching and learning, and cultural differences. Of the three, the most important class for me was my cultural differences class, in which I learned various beliefs, traditions, celebrations, and so forth, of nations around the world. Knowing this information and understand how other nations live is paramount to being an ESL teacher; at the same time, knowledge of certain cultures helps to bond with future students as well. Even just trying a course for practice will help an interested student decide if ESL is a field that he or she will enjoy and find success in.

After completing coursework, students can begin to look for a position. There are many options; new teachers can choose between working stateside or working overseas. There are a number of accredited programs that offer one year or longer contracts to work abroad. I have known fellow teachers who have worked overseas with free living accommodations, decent pay, free transportation, and other benefits. Workers who choose to stay in the U.S. can decide between working with elementary, high school, or college students. There are also options to work in non-profit organizations or to provide one-on-one tutoring. ESL jobs can be tailored towards your personal interests, whether they lie in working overseas or working with just one particular student.

To me, the best part of teaching ESL has been the connections I have felt to my students. International students bring a unique perspective to the classroom. As an instructor, you not only have to plan lessons and provide materials but also take into account any cultural misunderstandings that might occur. Explanations of American holidays, customs, traditions, and cultural beliefs definitely come into play in classroom discussions. Luckily, the students' desire to learn more about their new country is illuminating and exciting. To this day, I still keep in touch with previous students and love to hear updates about their lives.

One of the biggest perks for ESL teachers is the rising demand for teachers. Many school districts are looking for certified instructors to help meet the needs of ESL students. The Center for Immigration Studies (www.cis.org) states that there were 37.9 million immigrants, both legal and illegal, in the year 2007. With such an influx in the immigrant population, the demand for teachers will continue to rise. Certain areas of the U.S. also have great demand for ESL teachers, especially in Texas, California, and New York. The likelihood of finding a job teaching ESL is high if the immigration trend continues.

Teaching ESL is a job that is not for everyone, but if a student is interested in the field, it is something to consider. Students might observe an ESL classroom, tutor ESL students, or join a cultural organization. However, I think that many will find that teaching ESL is an exciting and rewarding field where many opportunities exist.