Major Monday — Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)

The world we live in is becoming more diverse. Now more than ever before, the United States filled with people who don’t speak English. For those who don’t use English as their first language, living in this country can be very difficult. Teachers who teach English as a second language are responsible for helping their students get through the day and become more successful as an English-speaking citizen. If you want to make a direct, positive impact on someone’s life and enjoy learning about different people and their cultures, teaching ESL could be for you. These types of teachers are in demand around the country and around the world.

Education
To become an ESL teacher, it helps if you’re fascinated by language and communication. This major is mostly earned at a graduate level, and an undergraduate degree in education will best help prepare you to complete your master’s in ESL. You’ll take courses such are intercultural communication, methods of teaching ESL, structure of English, applied linguistics and issues in school for bilingual learners.  Knowing another language prior to college would help, but if you don’t, expect to learn one in school. You’ll spend a lot of time in schools observing and student teaching. Volunteering as a tutor for English language learners will give you experience that will help you in your career. Helpful high school courses include world history, U.S. history, a foreign language, psychology and English.

Questions to ask
Like most education degrees, it’s important to make sure the program you’re in is accredited. In this case, accreditation must be from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Additionally, is the program approved by the state’s department of education? If you want to go right into teaching, ask if the program focuses more on practice or theory — you’ll want practice. Will the program help you find work after graduation?

Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an adult basic and secondary education and literacy teacher who teaches ESL makes an average of $52,830.

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