How do I go about becoming an ESL?

Hi Hadlea,

What great career ideas. As an ESL teacher, I can tell you that it's very rewarding work. I have advice for you if you'd like to teach in one of the following situations:

1. ESL to adults at private language academies or nonprofits
2. ESL to kids/adults abroad
3. ESL online (VIPKID goes highly recommended)

If you're interested in any of the above, all you need to do is get a Bachelor's degree in any field (but something related to languages or education is a plus) and then get a TESOL/TEFL/TESL/CELTA certificate (any of those 4 will work).

You can get a TESOL/TEFL/TESL/CELTA certificate online, in person, or a take hybrid online/in-person class, and the certificates are roughly $1,000 for just a few weeks to a month. I got my certificate through Oxford Seminars, which I recommend. Once you have your Bachelor's and the TESOL/TEFL/TESL/CELTA certificate, you're very employable to teach ESL in the situations I mentioned in the paragraph above! You DON'T need to earn a degree beyond your bachelor's for this work (just the certificate). But keep in mind that a lot of that work is part-time (maybe 20 hours a week) and pays roughly $18 to $25 per hour, so you'd probably need to work at two schools, or work at one school and teach online, as well. You likely won't get benefits in any of the above. But if you teach ESL abroad in certain countries, such as China, you could make quite a good living and maybe get benefits. Here are the highest-paying countries to teach ESL in (there are lots of other lists if you Google them, as well): https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/esl-teacher-salaries-9-countries-where-youll-make-bank

If you want to teach ESL or Spanish in a public school, you'll make more money and have better benefits, but you'll have to get your bachelor's and then K-6 or 5-12 licensure to start teaching, and you'll need continuing professional development. More info on this: https://www.englishteacheredu.org/virginia/ Your bachelor's degree can be in any subject, but it would be helpful if it's in education, Spanish, or something related to what you'd like to teach.

Good luck and all the best!

Mariel

This is a very good question. Individuals who want to learn how to become an ESL teacher should seek an

ESL teacher degree through a state-approved teacher preparation program at the undergraduate or graduate level. Since you are in high school you would seek and undergraduate degree. Actually, the percentage of public school students in the United States who were ELLs was higher in fall 2015 (9.5 percent, or 4.8 million students) than in fall 2000 (8.1 percent, or 3.8 million students). The majority of

teachers live on the West Coast. An ELL teacher might teach in a public school or even for a non-profit organization. I have worked as an ELL teacher for a non-profit. I was fortunate enough to receive my training through the organization. However, I did already have an undergraduate degree. Schools in Virginia include: George Mason University, Shenandoah University. Richmond, Virginia has a higher concentration of students requiring ELL instruction than some other locations in Virginia.

You will need to:

Earn a degree in TESOL or ELL or ESL

Pass Virginia or the state’s Required Tests

Apply for a Teaching License

Renew your Teaching License and TESOL Certification at the required time.

 In high school you should work hard to excel in English, develop interpersonal skills that help you communicate effectively with others, explore different cultures, and learn to appreciate diversity in cultures.