This trend is supported by a data by the National Center for Education Statistics which showed ESL employment is growing and will continue to do so as a "long waiting list" for many more ESL classes in different parts of the country demand this need.
An ESL work focuses on teaching the English language in written and verbal forms, proper pronunciation of English words, communication skills, vocabulary, and correct grammar. The program uses various creative methods through conversations, games, videos, field trips, role plays, and other forms to enhance the English-speaking abilities of the students whose ages also varies.
ESL employment is primarily found in private and public schools which have expanded their teaching programs to include the program for both adults and children. Vocational schools and parochial schools, community colleges, private companies, junior colleges, universities, job training centers, community organizations, religious groups, refugee centers, and relocation centers have ESL positions available to accommodate their members or students' English-learning needs. ESL teachers may be hired either as part-time or full-time depending on the size, location, and number of students who are into the program. Some may also be asked to teach other subjects other than ESL to these students depending on the need as well.
Qualified teachers can choose to fill in ESL vacancies that have adult students. Since most of them are working and have their respective families to support, an ESL teacher often has to work on a pre-arranged schedule that can work around her or his own students'. Additionally, ESL teachers often have to learn flexibility, creativity, tolerance, and patience since most of these students come from diverse cultural backgrounds and have different learning curves.
Also, some private companies offer ESL jobs to qualified applicants to teach their non-English-speaking employees the language. They usually hold their classes in flexible manner so teachers may need to adjust their schedule to fit the company's requirements. This is why ESL teaching is always about flexibility since schedules, students, physical locations, and methods always vary.
Qualifications to get an ESL work will vary by level and State requirements. Some States need prospective teachers to pass a written exam even before he or she can enroll in an education program. College students can major in ESL or education but with concentration or earned credits in ESL as a subject. Supervised student teaching is a requirement while licensure is needed if one wants to teach ESL in a public school. At the secondary level, an additional 24 to 36 hours of accredited ESL-related classes are required, while some States may even ask prospective ESL teachers to complete a master's degree to qualify for ESL jobs at this level.
On the other hand, ESL positions offered to applicants for teaching adult students are not required of any education degree or a certification. But they can undergo a training program which normally lasts from 4 to 12 months for adult ESL teaching. A diploma or certificate that can be earned from any of these special programs will already qualify one for teaching.
An ESL work is a promising career for anyone who likes teaching students from various cultures and is challenged by the diversity and creativity by this kind of program. The annual wage for this work is also good based on the 2005 data by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics which showed the median salary for teachers of adult literacy at $41,270. Elementary and secondary school ESL teachers earned $50,990 in mean annual earnings for the same year. Private ESL teachers commonly earn less than those in public schools.
ESL vacancies are many and will continue to grow as more immigrants continue to enter the country annually. After one has completed the necessary course, supervised training, certification, and licensure, it's time to look for that ESL work that may not be far behind.
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