ESL Certification

Another less well known undergraduate career is teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). ESL is taught to non-English-speaking newcomers to the United States and other English-speaking countries so they can adapt more easily to the culture and find work to support their families. ESL certification is required to teach ESL. There is high demand for teachers who have ESL certification, due to the increasing numbers of immigrants to the United States who have no or little knowledge of the English language. Some ESL positions require undergraduate degrees, but some do not. If you have a love of learning and enjoy helping others, you may be interested in studying for ESL certification.

ESL certification requires no previous teaching experience. ESL schools fully prepare aspiring teachers to help students learn proper English skills to communicate verbally and in writing. You will learn to work with children and adults in a variety of environments, such as schools, homes and private organizations. Many ESL certification schools offer online courses so that you can study when you want and keep your current career. Teaching positions in other countries often require a bachelor’s degree in ESL. Teaching ESL at the collegiate level requires completion of graduate courses.

Many schools also offer job placement assistance. You can work as a volunteer or in paid positions all over the world, in countries throughout Asia and Europe. If you prefer not to travel, you can work in your country of residence.

Teaching ESL requires a lot of patience, even more so than teaching those whose mother tongue is English. You also need to be aware of cultural differences and the type of working environment you can expect in your host country. Teaching ESL can be a demanding job and so, before you spend time and money on ESL certification, try out volunteer positions first. You can find these at local schools and libraries. How you react in these environments will determine whether you are cut out for a career as an ESL teacher.