English as a Second Language: Career Possibilities in One of Teaching's Fastest-Growing Fields

Teaching English as a second language (ESL) is a career field that opens up opportunities for travel, working with diverse populations, and a deeper understand of how we communicate. There are a variety of careers that you can pursue in teaching English to non-native speakers. The professional organization Teachers to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) lists just a few, including the following:

• Adult Education
• Bilingual Teaching
• Elementary and secondary education
• Materials writers
• Program Administration
• Teacher Education

The ESL field is incredibly diverse--in all situations you may find yourself teaching phonetics, vocabulary, and grammar to English language learners, but you might find yourself teaching language classes geared specifically toward conversation, business, or citizenship.

ESL Education Programs

There are many programs that can lead to a career in teaching English. There are certificate programs, bachelor's degree teaching licensure programs, and master's degree ESL programs. If you already teach, there are many online degree programs for those who wish to branch out into teaching ESL. In some cases being a native English speaker is enough to get a job, but more often you need certification or a teaching license.

If you earn an online degree in ESL, you typically study English grammar, second language acquisition, phonetics and phonology, curriculum development, and educational strategies for teaching non-native English speakers.

Where Can I Teach ESL?

English is a major world language, meaning that you can get a job teaching ESL almost anywhere if you have the right credentials. If you're interested in teaching ESL in the United States, earn certification and look for jobs in states with high numbers of immigrants, such as California, New York, Texas, or Florida.

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that some of the best job prospects in public education in the coming years should be in bi-lingual education and teaching ESL. If you're interested in teaching ESL in a foreign country, there are a number of different programs such as the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, or Teach Away Inc., a global teacher placement program. TransitionsAbroad.com is a helpful website which lists various work and study abroad opportunities.

What Are the Most Lucrative Fields in ESL?

The amount of money you earn teaching English as a second language depends on the field in which you desire to teach. If you're interested in teaching conversation to adult non-native speakers in the United States, the average salary is $49,830. If you teach ESL in public schools, the average salary is in the low- to mid-$50,000s.

And if you're among the adventurous who choose to teach abroad, your salary could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars per month (in countries with a low cost of living) to a few thousand dollars per month. Teach Away actually lists a job in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that pays up to $5,500 per month for very experienced and qualified English language teachers.

There are truly nearly endless opportunities in ESL for those who are willing to put time in to become qualified. If you're interested in becoming an ESL teacher, figure out what your interests are and then go for it!