Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is a growing career. Because of the shift of demographics, the Hispanic and Arab populations are on the rise in the United States. Therefore, there are more students in need of English education services within school districts. In addition, the English language is in demand overseas and many eager learners are turning to English teachers to assist them on their endeavors of learning English.
Teaching ESL as a Career
Teaching English as a Second Language can be a rewarding career. For many people, this profession offers great diversity when embarking on the teaching journey. According to TESOL Online, teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) pertains to more than just knowing the English language. Teachers in this career field need specialized skills and need to know bits and pieces of other languages while becoming fluent in one specific language such as Spanish.
Teachers should not shy away from this field of they are not fluent in another language. Perhaps one of the most important skills in teaching ESL is compassion and the appreciation for diversity. Rest assured that this skill is realized when learning a foreign language.
When selecting a career path in the field of ESL, there are many options to consider. A teacher could teach in a public or private setting in the United States and abroad. Most public institutions in the United States offer teaching certificates in ESL K-12. However with a Master’s degree in ESL or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) one could expect to find a job at most institutions and/or universities.
ESL Teacher Pay
The pay for teaching ESL is parallel to most other teaching jobs in the United States. According to indeed.com, the average ESL teacher with a Master’s degree should expect to make about $40,000 a year. However, a content area specialist could expect to make about $51,000 a year after a few years of teaching experience.
Another option would be to work per-diem. It is not uncommon to discover job listings that advertise employment at public and private institutions in New York State with starting hourly pay of $40-$60/hour. It is important to note that these types of ESL jobs are hard to find and do not provide fringe benefits. However, per-diem jobs offer flexibility for mothers with young children and retired teachers. Moreover, per-diem ESL employment offers an alternative method of gaining valuable experience and should not be overlooked.
Becoming an ESL teacher is not an easy task. However the sacrifice is well worth the rewards. ESL teachers are in high demand, and this profession could become quite lucrative over the course of one’s career. ESL teachers can use their degree and expertise to work anyplace in the world, making this profession ideal for culture lovers.
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