1 answer
Robin
Student
Hamilton, Ohio
2
Questions
Asked
1123 views
What path in highschool would I take to become an ESL teacher?
I always saw teaching English as a second language to be really interesting, I've wanted to do it for as long as I can remember. Going to south korea or Japan to teach English would be amazing, but I know I would be alright with doing it in Canada too. I don't know what courses I would have to take, or what kind of college or university to go into for this kind of this. How do I get started? #esl
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1 answer
Nina Bailey
PreK-12 Educator, 30+ years
14
Answers
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Updated
Nina’s Answer
ESOL is a VERY needed field (I was an ESOL liaison for many years, the one who oversees a school's ESOL services). To get started, I might suggest working or volunteering somewhere with students learning another language to see if you enjoy it. Also, I would be taking learning a foreign language myself in one or two languages that are the home languages of students you wish to teach; for example, have you always wanted to assist Spanish speakers in the US? Or do you think going to Germany and working for a USA school might be more interesting? Taking foreign language courses yourself and learning the challenges your students may have will be great preparation to support ESOL learners.
Some times the ESOL, TESOL (or other title) degree can be a little limiting in terms of job prospects; I believe all US schools now have the ESOL endorsement, which is granted by taking courses in 5 areas of ESOL. So, you could be a middle school science teacher (for example) with ESOL an endorsement which will likely give you more teaching options. Below are the 5 course areas in the state of Florida to obtain the ESOL ENDORSEMENT on your teaching certificate:
1)Applied Linguistics
Designed to help teachers address the important role linguistics plays when working with ESOL students. The teachers will acquire a greater understanding of the structure of English from a modern day linguistic perspective and will analyze the structure of English in contrast with the languages of target populations in a given class.
2)Cross-Cultural Communications
Designed to identify the major cultures represented by the LEP students in Florida public schools in order to develop better cross-cultural understanding among all groups, & to appropriately meet their special needs within the school & community setting.
3)Methods of Teaching ESOL
Designed to enable participants to identify & apply major ESOL methodologies; learn best practices to teach subject matter, critical thinking& problem solving skills; determine the appropriateness of instruction and learning opportunities for ELL's
4)Testing &Evaluation of ESOL/ELL
Designed to empower teachers of ESOL students to develop the ability to provide appropriate, comprehensible, interactive, and cognitively challenging instruction which will facilitate their students’ language development and academic achievement.
5)Curriculum & Materials Development
Designed to improve &enhance the participant’s knowledge of ESOL curriculum& materials appropriate for use with ELL's.
Hope the above is helpful to you and reach out again if needed!
Some times the ESOL, TESOL (or other title) degree can be a little limiting in terms of job prospects; I believe all US schools now have the ESOL endorsement, which is granted by taking courses in 5 areas of ESOL. So, you could be a middle school science teacher (for example) with ESOL an endorsement which will likely give you more teaching options. Below are the 5 course areas in the state of Florida to obtain the ESOL ENDORSEMENT on your teaching certificate:
1)Applied Linguistics
Designed to help teachers address the important role linguistics plays when working with ESOL students. The teachers will acquire a greater understanding of the structure of English from a modern day linguistic perspective and will analyze the structure of English in contrast with the languages of target populations in a given class.
2)Cross-Cultural Communications
Designed to identify the major cultures represented by the LEP students in Florida public schools in order to develop better cross-cultural understanding among all groups, & to appropriately meet their special needs within the school & community setting.
3)Methods of Teaching ESOL
Designed to enable participants to identify & apply major ESOL methodologies; learn best practices to teach subject matter, critical thinking& problem solving skills; determine the appropriateness of instruction and learning opportunities for ELL's
4)Testing &Evaluation of ESOL/ELL
Designed to empower teachers of ESOL students to develop the ability to provide appropriate, comprehensible, interactive, and cognitively challenging instruction which will facilitate their students’ language development and academic achievement.
5)Curriculum & Materials Development
Designed to improve &enhance the participant’s knowledge of ESOL curriculum& materials appropriate for use with ELL's.
Hope the above is helpful to you and reach out again if needed!