ESL Instructor

As an ESL Instructor, you teach English to students who speak another language. Through your work, you can prepare people for immigration tests, employment tests, and higher education courses taught in English. Being an ESL Instructor can be an incredibly rewarding job if you have a passion for language and an innate ability to make learning easy and fun.

As an ESL Instructor, you may work for the school system, teaching very young students, or you may travel to a foreign country to work with adults. You may also work close to home, teaching adults in group classes or on a one-on-one basis.

You begin your courses by giving the students tests in English. You determine how well they know the language, and then develop lesson plans based on what they need to learn. You may focus on the basics, such as teaching the English words for common objects, or you may concentrate on more advanced concepts, such as how to conjugate verbs or ask two-part questions.

You also teach your students about the culture. For example, if they’re planning to live and work in the United States, you may explain the history of the country and why people like to light things on fire on the 4th of July.

You’re patient with your students as they learn. You remind yourself that learning a new language can be incredibly difficult, and it can make even the most educated person feel small and dim. That’s why you feel a sense of pride when your students advance in their studies. Don’t be surprised if you get many, many cards during the holiday season from current and previous students.