A Career in Literacy and Reading Is Around the Corner

Teachers who specialize in literacy and reading provide children and adults with a skill that can serve them both personally and professionally. From communicating with coworkers to checking warning labels on medicine bottles, reading is a vital part of our daily lives. For this reason, a career in literacy and reading can be particularly rewarding.

Many jobs in literacy and reading fall under two main categories: English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Literacy.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, more then seven million working-age U.S. residents speak English either "not well" or "not at all." That number has since increased and continues to grow. Classes in English as a second language (ESL), also known as English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), are designed to help this population improve their job prospects and feel comfortable in real-life situations that call for proficiency in written and spoken English.

Training: To teach ESL, you need a bachelor's degree, preferably but not necessarily in English, linguistics, or a related discipline. Some programs give priority to candidates with master's degrees in adult education or ESOL instruction, which many campus-based and online schools now offer. Many states require ESL instructors to become certified by completing an approved teacher training program and passing a state licensing exam.

Earnings and prospects: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect salary information for ESL instructors specifically, but the mean income for all adult literacy and remedial education teachers was $49,830 in 2008. ESL teachers can expect exceptionally favorable job prospects in the coming years, particularly in states with large immigrant populations. These include California, Florida, Texas, and New York. The region with the highest percentage of non-English speakers is the South, while the Northeast has the lowest.

Adult Literacy

According to a 2003 survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, 32 million adults have such low literacy skills that they would have trouble understanding a newspaper article, basic instructions, or even a children's book. Experts believe this is the result of undiagnosed learning disabilities, immigration, and high dropout rates. Adult literacy teachers work to remedy the country's illiteracy problem through classroom instruction and one-on-one tutoring.

Training: A bachelor's degree in English, linguistics, or a related field is essential, and some states require adult literacy teachers to become certified in special education. Whether or not you already work in the education field, you can become an adult literacy specialist by earning a master's degree in reading and literacy, available through many campus-based and online degree programs.

Earnings and prospects: The mean yearly income for all adult literacy and remedial education teachers was $49,830 in 2008. With the immigrant population expanding and employers increasingly requiring more literate workers, employment in the field is expected to grow considerably in the coming years.

Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary Reading Education

If you loved books as a child, you may enjoy helping children discover the magic of reading as a preschool, elementary school, or secondary school reading teacher. You can be personally responsible for equipping students with an essential ability that that can bring them a lifetime of enjoyment. Moreover, the teaching profession at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels offers excellent benefits, job stability, and sizeable salaries with room for growth.

Training: To teach English in U.S. public schools, you need a bachelor's degree, preferably in English, from an accredited college or university with a teacher education program. Every state requires teachers to become certified in the subject they teach, a process that typically involves completing a degree program and passing a state licensing exam. If you're a working professional who wants to enter the education field but did not attend a teacher training program, you may be able to prepare for certification through a state-approved online program.

Earnings and prospects: In 2008, elementary school teachers earned a mean yearly salary of $52,240. The top 10 percent earned $78,030 and higher. The mean yearly salary for middle school teachers was $52,570, with the top 10 percent making $78,120 or more. For secondary school teachers, the mean annual salary was $54,390. The top 10 percent made upwards of $80,970.

Demand is not as high for English teachers as it is for math, science, and foreign language teachers, but it should nonetheless remain steady in the coming years. Job openings tend to be more plentiful in inner-city and rural areas.