Mastering the Art of Teaching English as a Second Language

Mastering the Art of Teaching English as a Second Language

Whether you’re looking for your first job or you want to change careers, becoming an ESL teacher is the best idea. Teaching students English as a second language is an excellent option as it offers you an opportunity to help others. ESL (English as a Second Language) instructors provide English language lessons to non-native English speakers.

They typically work in schools and other educational institutes and teach children and adults. The main responsibility of a TEFL-certified is to prepare interactive course materials. As an ESL teacher, your primary responsibility is to create a positive environment in the class.

 

Assessing the progress of students and writing reports is another responsibility of an ESL instructor. To transition into the role of an ESL teacher, you should have a TEFL certification. One of the many great things about being an ESL teacher is that there are numerous job opportunities. A TEFL certification and the job role of an ESL teacher will also let you travel worldwide. English is an international-recognized language adopted by businesses and governments worldwide. 

ESL teachers, therefore, are needed in English-speaking and non-English-speaking countries. Teaching English to non-native speakers helps in bridging the language barrier. You can directly influence the lives of your students by teaching the intricacies of English to them. As more and more people are relocating and immigrating, the demand for ESL teachers is increasing rapidly.

Universities around the globe are preparing their students for future job opportunities. So, English as a second language has become the core subject in their curriculum. Here are some essential aspects to learn about teaching someone English a second language.

Understanding the Importance of Teaching English as a Second Language

For educational reasons, learning a foreign language has become necessary. English is the most-spoken language worldwide. It is also the international business language. Moreover, it is the official language of many international agencies, such as the United Nations.

As an ESL teacher, you will have to refer to a range of course books and materials to simplify the complex concepts in English. Usually, ESL teachers work in commercial language schools and universities abroad. With a range of teaching strategies, you can help non-native students to enrich their English language skills. Listed are some of the reasons why teaching English language as a second language is gaining prominence.

  • You can Effectively Manage your Schedule
    We all know that a 9-to-5 job comes with certain stress factors. However, things are pretty different when you’re an ESL teacher. ESL teachers have flexibility in scheduling their classes. You can utilize your day based on your preferences.
    So, if you have a hobby or want to supplement your income, the job role of an ESL teacher is ideal. Furthermore, there is no need to work for total hours to earn a decent salary. Do you know that some ESL teachers only work for twenty hours per week and make a lucrative salary? Getting TEFL-certified can increase your chances of becoming an ESL teacher.
  • You Can Enjoy your Vacations
    A majority of ESL teaching jobs include come with a wide range of vacations. This is possibly one of the best things about being an ESL instructor. During holidays, you can explore the new place or pursue your favorite hobby. If you choose to do another job, you’ll get a few months to dedicate to the side job. While working as an ESL teacher, you can access all types of camps.
  • Interact with New People Daily
    Teaching abroad involves interacting with new people daily. While being an ESL teacher, you can widen your network of friends and colleagues. This job opportunity also lets you stay connected with students. In other words, an ESL teaching position widens your scope of networking with other professionals.
  • Flexibility to Relocate
    The ESL teachers are in high demand nowadays. As stated, English is the most popular language spoken in the world. Most schools seek native speakers or ESL teachers who can offer students a new perspective. You can apply for numerous job positions and relocate worldwide with an ESL job position.
  • Gain Valuable Work Experience
    An ESL job is the best way to gain valuable experience. Working and living abroad shows that you are willing to adapt, learn, and pursue the challenging things in life. Moreover, the teaching position will help foster your leadership skills and confidence. It also enables you to evolve as a better communicator.
  • You can Teach ESL Online
    Getting a TEFL certification from an accredited institution will allow you to teach ESL online. Teaching English as a second language from home boosts your income. You will also get a sense of what type of teaching suits you.
    Numerous online tutoring platforms are showing a keen interest in hiring ESL teachers. You can apply for these positions to teach English to non-native speakers. You just need a laptop and a reliable internet connection to conduct online ESL classes.
  • Ability to Learn a New Language
    By teaching English as an additional language, you will get the time and resources to learn a new language. Outside of your teaching hours, you will get enough time to learn a new language. Moreover, learning a new language also adds weight to your CV.
    As an ESL teacher, you should always expect your students to come from various countries and interact in a variety of languages. Therefore, ESL teachers get the opportunity to communicate with students belonging to different types of cultural backgrounds.
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Effective Strategies for Teaching English as a Second Language

Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) requires specialized strategies. Some of the most common ELL strategies start with common sense. It is also essential to have mutual respect for diverse cultures. Getting to know the students and their learning approach is an integral part of the process.

With the top ESL strategies, you can achieve better student learning outcomes. A vast majority of ESL classes aim to make students fluent in all aspects of English communication. So, it is pretty different from teaching students who grew up communicating in English.

Teaching English to non-native speakers can be challenging. With a variety of different skill levels in every classroom, you must deploy effective tactics to let each student achieve the learning outcomes. Whether the class focuses on grammar or literature, the following teaching strategies will come in handy.

Try to Develop Relationships Beyond the Classroom

It is essential to build relationships beyond the classroom for effective teaching. When the learners feel a personal connection, they will be more eager to learn. You should create a supportive environment that appreciates diversity.

The environment of the classroom should be such that students can freely express themselves. Note that the non-native English speakers come from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, you should try to respect their cultural differences to accomplish your objectives.

Creating a supportive environment is all about cultivating an appreciation for diversity. You can boost engagement among students by allowing them to connect to a lesson or unit personally.

Terms used:

ESL, TEFL, TESOL

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