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Beginning a Career in TESOL
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Teaching ESL/EFL requires skills beyond just knowing the language. Teachers must have specialized skills. They must know methodologies for language teaching and have a foundation of knowledge based on an interdisciplinary field of study. From lesson planning to management skills, teachers are expected to demonstrate their specialized knowledge while learning and reviewing the most current ESOL methods and materials. If you are considering a career in TESOL, you will find that the field is as rewarding as it is demanding.
English language teaching opportunities exist throughout the world. Opportunities will vary depending on the following factors:
where you want to teach (public/private sector, geographical location)
what level you want to teach (pre-K-12, adult, or higher education)
your background and qualifications
Also, employment conditions, such as contracts, number of teaching hours per week, class sizes, pay scales, housing, transportation, and health coverage, vary greatly around the world. Your chances of receiving favorable employment conditions are often greater if your teaching qualifications are competitive. Expanding fields include computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and English for specific purposes (ESP).
The most commonly asked questions about careers in teaching English to speakers of other languages are answered in the following sections of TESOL's Web site. If you need information on the requirements for various fields of ESL/EFL teaching, a glossary of commonly used acronyms in the field, or suggestions for beginning a job search, the information presented here will help you get started.
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