ESL Instructor Job Description
English as a second language (ESL) instructors help non-English-speaking students learn to communicate in English. They can then participate fully in public school classrooms and also will be prepared for college or employment upon graduation. ESL teachers require specialized education and training to effectively teach English language learners (ELL).
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Significance
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According to the National Council of Teachers of English, English language-learning students comprise 10.5 percent of all children enrolled in K-12 public schools. Many states experience shortages of ESL teachers each year.
Function
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ESL or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers instruct students who are not versed in the language to understand, speak, write and read English. ESL teachers may work with students who speak a variety of languages, such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and many others. ESL teachers use a variety of teaching methods depending on the individual needs of their students. ESL teachers may also assist students in completing classwork and tests by translating assignments into the student's native language.
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Education Requirements
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ESL teachers must complete a bachelor's degree in education. According to the organization Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), some states may require a master's degree before issuing an ESL teaching license. A prospective ESL teaching candidate must also pass an ESL subject test. Once requirements have been met, she will need to apply for a teaching certificate in the state where she wants to teach.
Some states may allow prospective teachers to obtain an alternative-route teaching certificate. However, participants typically must have at least a bachelor's degree in order to qualify for alternate-route programs.
Testing Requirements
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Most states require that all teachers, including ESL teachers, pass Praxis education tests. ESL teachers typically take test number 0363, named the English to Speakers of Other Languages test. It consists of 120 questions and takes about two hours and 30 minutes to complete.
Considerations
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According to the TESOL organization, the states in most need of ESL teachers include Texas, Florida, California, Illinois and New York.
English language-learning students vary greatly in their English proficiency when beginning an ELL program. Some may know some conversational English while others may not know any English at all.
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References
Resources
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