As an ESL teacher, you are sure to have a diverse group of students. English is an international language, and people from all over the world are always trying to learn. To meet the needs of students and drive engagement, you will want to make sure your lessons are responsive and relevant to the needs and interests of your learners.
This article is all about creating an inclusive and supportive ESL classroom. But first, let’s discuss what teaching ESL is all about.
What is Teaching English as a Second Language?
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), sometimes known as Teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), is all about teaching people to communicate in English. You will help students to learn the basics of English: greetings, colours, numbers, and eventually the ability to conjugate verbs and build a more comprehensive vocabulary. The scope and sequence that you teach students will largely depend on the curriculum and language proficiency continua you are using, but generally speaking language learning starts with essential phrases and vocabulary before moving onto the mechanics of language.
Starting a career as an ESL teacher is an excellent way to spend a gap year, diversify your background of work experience, and possibly even travel abroad. Learn all about becoming an ESL or ESOL teacher.
How do I Find ESL Teacher Training?
Teachers of ESL usually start by completing training from recognized institutions such as local and international universities. Cambridge, for example, has ESL teacher training programs that are recognized around the world. With a TESL certificate, you can start teaching internationally and locally, usually in private language schools.
ESL teacher training can be completed online or in person. In many cases, online TESL certification can be done asynchronously over the course of a year. However, if you have the availability, in-person learning will usually be much more stimulating and rewarding.
Newcomers to Canada come from a variety of linguistic backgrounds, and many are eager to learn English when they arrive. For this reason, there are many exciting opportunities for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers to work.
What are ESL Teacher Requirements?
To teach ESL in a private and international schools, you will start by completing your TESL or TESOL teacher training. In most cases, applications are not necessary and you can start learning right away.
If your goal is to teach ESL in a publicly funded school board in your province, you will likely need a teaching license in addition to ESL teaching courses. To do this, you will have to complete a university degree and a post graduate program in a faculty of education.
The pathway you choose will ultimately depend on what your long term career goals are. If you see yourself having a long career as an educator and working in Canada, getting your provincial teaching license is highly advised. If you are looking to teach part time or enrich an experience abroad, TESL certification is probably perfect for you.
Is the Work of an ESL Instructor or ESL Coach Challenging?
It is no secret that teaching is a challenging profession. You may have a diverse group of students with unique needs that you are expected to meet as an educator. Young children, especially when taught in groups, need to be managed and engaged in a way that is appropriate for their age level. Older learners, such as teens and adults, similarly have unique learning traits that should be incorporated into your pedagogical approach.
As a teacher, you must also plan and orchestrate units and lessons that reach long term learning goals, especially if your mandate is to bring students from one level of proficiency to another.
All this being said, teaching is a rewarding profession that will stimulate your senses and enable you to grow as a professional. It is magical to see your students grow and learn, from emergent speakers to more proficient users of English.
If you have just finished secondary school or postsecondary school you may be wondering exactly how you can see the world while still gaining work experience and earning money. This is where teaching English as a second language (ESL) abroad is an excellent option.
How do I Make ESL Classes Culturally Responsive?
Being a culturally responsive educator is all about focusing student identity so you can empower them to be confident, independent learners. It is all about honouring their identities and backgrounds to ensure they have the best possible experience of school.
Start by getting to know your students, particularly their:
- English language proficiency level
- Academic Background
- Learning Needs/Strengths
- Literacy Skills
- Primary language
- Interests
- Preferences
- Cultures
Now that we understand what information we need about our students to design inclusive and supportive learning environments, we can focus on how to make it happen. Here are some tips for making your ESL classes culturally responsive.
Being an ESL teacher takes much more than simply being able to speak the language. Your work involves planning instruction for students who may be at different phases of their language learning. You must create language-rich experiences where students can build their vocabulary and build the capacity to converse spontaneously with others.
Ensure your Students’ Identities are Reflected in Content
Part of being an inclusive, culturally responsive educator is centering student identity and ensuring they see themselves reflected in their learning. This makes learning more engaging, relevant, and relatable to them. Select materials that show cultural diversity, explore narratives that your students may find relatable, and connect to their topics and preferences. Provide opportunities for students to share information about themselves, which can make for great English conversation and dialogue.
Maximize the Linguistic Skills they Bring to your Classroom
Newcomer students who are in the emergent phases of learning English are not “blank slates”. In fact, they come with many strengths and skills from learning in their home countries, and may already be proficient or advanced readers and writers in their primary language. These skills are transferable to their learning in English, so make sure you take opportunities to maximize their prior knowledge. You can do this as an educator by enabling them to use translation devices and multilingual dictionaries, encouraging them to use their home languages as much as possible in the early phases of language acquisition.
Offer Multiple Ways for Student to Show their Learning’
Another way to be inclusive is to offer students different ways to show their learning. Some students, for example, may feel comfortable using technological tools to display their work, while others prefer more tactile ways to express their thinking using visual arts. Others may even like using simple pen and paper! Consider what your learning goals and expectations are, and think of as many ways as possible that students can be assessed.
Becoming an ESL, or English as a Second Language Teacher is a career that attracts many Canadians. ESL teachers can work in a variety of contexts: abroad, online, as a tutor, as a classroom teacher, or in a private language school.
What are ESL Lessons for Adults Like?
An adult learning model in the ESL classroom will typically involve flexibility on the part of the teacher. Many adult learners have competing responsibilities, meaning that they may not always be able to get an assignment handed in on time or do their homework every night. Practice empathy when needed, and make sure that your content is appropriate for their age group.
How Do I Find English Teaching Jobs Abroad?
One of the biggest reasons people pursue ESL education is the opportunity for teaching English Abroad. Schools all over the world teach English, and seek qualified, native-speakers of English to teach classes. Popular countries to teach English include Dubai, Japan, Korea and Germany.
To find a job teaching English abroad, you can check job boards online or find a recruiter to connect you with some schools. Some TESL schools will even place you with an employer who can connect you with resources abroad.
How Can I Start Teaching English Online?
If you want a soft entry into teaching English you may want to consider teaching online. Many international schools hire Canadian teachers to work with students online to practice English. An even better option to pursue is to set up your own practice as an online English teacher.
To set up your own practice, start by setting up an account on Superprof Canada. Supeprof is a site that connects students with private tutors, including ESL tutors. Once you have set up your account, you can create a profile that states your name, academic background, and experiences. Interested clients can contact you directly through the site. You establish your rate of pay and organize payment with students or through the site.
Tutoring is an excellent way to gain valuable work experience that can bolster your career growth as an English educator.
Start your teaching career on Superprof today!
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