Are Teachers With an ESL Degree in Demand?
The answer is yes! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, the number of non-English-speaking students will continue to grow, creating demand for bilingual teachers and for those who teach English as a second language. As more ELL (English Language Learners) are enrolled in schools, there is a growing need for high-quality English language instruction. Many traditional classroom teachers feel overwhelmed and underprepared to help their ESL students, and as much as they may try to provide meaningful learning experiences, the language barrier remains a significant hurdle. Individuals with an ESL teaching degree are very marketable right now to help bridge the gaps between English and students’ first languages.
Many students who need ESL services have come with their families from other countries, but a great deal are born in the United States to non-English speaking parents and have grown up speaking another language. Some children are bilingual conversationally but not literate in either one of the languages they may speak at home. Therefore, one of the biggest needs in the classroom is for teachers who speak both of the languages of their students, such as Spanish and English. This way, students can gain the academic skills they need to succeed in two languages.
While the need for ESL certified teachers is evident all over the country, some states, such as Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York and Texas have very high populations of non-native English speakers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau,Language Spoken at Home: 2000. ESL/Bilingual teachers are especially necessary in these locations.
Teaching ESL can be an exciting and challenging career. ESL teachers often have more choices in where they can work than teachers of other subjects. Job opportunities for ESL exist in public schools, community colleges and in foreign countries if you are interested in working abroad.
If you would like to learn how to become an ESL teacher, there are many excellent programs that can offer training through many delivery methods, such as a short-term intensive course, online learning or a graduate degree such as an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching). In some places the need for qualified ESL teachers is so great that in order to overcome teacher shortages, there may be additional incentives offered to individuals interested in teaching ESL. Possible perks may include higher paychecks, housing assistance, or a more streamlined interview process.
Pursuing an ESL degree can lead to a unique multi-cultural opportunity that gives you the skills and knowledge to teach locally or overseas. Because the demand is so high, it’s worth the time and effort to research the many training programs and job openings available for those interested in working with English Language Learners. Most ESL certificates allow teachers to teach at all levels, meaning they can work with anyone from preschoolers to recent arrivals to the country that may be many years older than they are. The bottom line is, yes, teachers with an ESL degree are in extremely high demand and this consequently may be the perfect time to think about expanding your teaching skills to ESL.
Content provided by U.S. News University Directory.
