ESL Teachers help individuals from different backgrounds navigate the English-speaking world. If you have good communication skills, then a career in this field is recommended. Read this article to learn more about Teaching ESL Degrees.
What Is ESL Teaching?
ESL Teaching involves working with English Language Learners whose primary language is not English. People working in this field are employed at schools, universities, and community colleges.
What Can You Do with an ESL Teaching Degree?
After obtaining an ESL Teaching degree, individuals can work as ESL Department Directors, Community College ESL Instructors, ESL Tutors or Private Teachers, Teacher’s Aides, and Adult Literacy and High School Equivalency Diploma Teachers.
Now let’s shed some light on the job and income prospects for some of these positions. The figures mentioned below have been extracted from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Adult Literacy and High School Equivalency Diploma Teachers
These professionals instruct individuals in basic skills, like speaking and reading English. These teachers offer three types of education: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or English as a Second Language classes, Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes, and Adult Secondary Education or High School Equivalency classes. They mostly work part-time at public schools, community-based organizations, and community colleges.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $54,350 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | -10% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $58,980 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 8,670 |
| State with the Highest Salary Level, 2019 | California | $85,600 |
Postsecondary Teachers – Postsecondary English Language and Literature Teachers
Instructors who teach a number of courses at the university/college level are called Post-secondary Teachers. Within this category are English Language and Literature Teachers, who are involved in teaching English, linguistics, and literature beyond the high school level.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $68,490 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 4% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $80,180 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | New York | 8,130 |
| State with the Highest Salary Level, 2019 | California | $121,450 |
Instructional Coordinators
These workers are also called Curriculum Specialists. They oversee the development and implementation of teaching standards and instructional material.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $66,290 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 6% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $69,180 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 20,910 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $96,640 |
What to Expect from an ESL Teaching Degree?
An Associate’s degree in ESL Teaching is rare, but students can still pursue an Associate’s program in English. The Associate of Arts (A.A) degree in English is specifically designed for candidates who are planning to pursue a Bachelor’s program that requires a solid liberal arts background. Some of the topics covered in the program include Writing and Inquiry, Public Speaking, and African-American Literature.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) provides program participants with a practical and theoretical understanding of second language teaching materials and methods. This program introduces students to a range of topics such as Introduction to Linguistics, Modern Grammar, Second Language Acquisition, and Issues and Practices in TESL.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) prepares students to teach the English language almost everywhere in the U.S. and abroad. The curriculum exposes the students to several modules such as Second Language Acquisition, Language Assessment, Teaching Grammar, Teaching Pronunciation, and Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom.
How to Choose an ESL Teaching Degree?
Students who are planning to enroll in an ESL Teaching program should take into consideration the following factors: tuition fee, duration of the program, accreditation status of the school/program, course content, and internship opportunities.
ESL Teaching Degree Admission Requirements
Individuals who want to enroll in an ESL Teaching program are required to complete their program-specific applications and pay the application fee. They have to send their transcripts, aptitude test results such as TOEFL scores (if applicable), reference letters, and admission essays to the admission office. Moreover, some colleges also require students to appear for an interview.
*Since the admission requirements for every school and program differ, you should check with the colleges and inquire about the admissions criteria.