How To Become an ESL Teacher

Moving to a new country can be a major transition. In addition to integrating into a new culture, immigrants and their children often need to learn a new language. Some teachers specialize in working with children whose native language is not English.

In This Article:

• What Is an ESL Teacher?
• What Does an ESL Teacher Do?
• What Are ESL Teacher Requirements?
• Best Degrees for ESL Teachers
• Essential Skills for ESL Teachers
• Median Annual Wage
• Expected Job Growth
• Where Do ESL Teachers Work?
• Earn Your ESL-Focused Degree at GCU

What Is an ESL Teacher? 

5.3 Million

Number of ESL students in public schools in the U.S. as of 2021¹

If you are wondering how to become an ESL teacher, then you likely already know that “ESL” stands for “English as a second language.” ESL teachers work with English language learners (ELLs), helping them acquire and improve their English language skills so they can navigate daily life and attend school in an English-speaking country.

What Does an ESL Teacher Do? 

The main job of an ESL teacher is to help English language learners become proficient in the English language. Although teaching English skills is the main task of ESL teachers, their job is actually much broader. ESL teachers who work in the U.S. with immigrant populations typically also help students adapt to their new country. Teachers show sensitivity to these students’ cultural differences by nurturing a respectful classroom culture to help their students feel accepted and valued.

What is an ESL teacher’s day-to-day schedule like? Their tasks generally include:²

ESL teachers may work with students in small groups, larger classes and individually, with a focus on writing, listening, speaking and language comprehension skills. They must cultivate cultural awareness, as they may work with students from many different countries and cultures.²

What Are ESL Teacher Requirements? 

Understanding the primary ESL teacher requirements is an important step toward deciding if this could be the right career for you. Typically, aspiring ESL teachers follow a career path that looks like this:

High School Diploma

Since college education is a typical requirement for ESL teachers, the first step is to complete your high school education. In high school, focus on doing well in all language-related classes, including writing-intensive classes. Although fluency in a second language is not a strict ESL teacher requirement, it can be helpful, so talk to your school counselor about taking foreign language classes during each year of your high school education.²

College Degree

The next step is to earn a bachelor’s degree. Since ESL teachers can teach in a range of settings — from public schools in the U.S. to schools in other countries — it’s important to research the requirements for the location in which you plan to teach.³ Be sure to select a bachelor’s degree that will allow you to obtain the licensure or certification you’ll need. While a master’s degree isn’t a strict requirement for aspiring ESL teachers, you might consider earning one to potentially enhance your career qualifications.²

Internships

If you enroll in an education degree program that leads to initial teacher licensure in your state, then your degree may likely include one or more student teaching experiences. These are essentially internships that will place you in ESL classrooms. You’ll receive mentorship from an experienced ESL teacher and have opportunities to gain hands-on work experience in the classroom.⁴

Entry-Level Roles

While there are no specific entry-level roles for ESL teachers, you can begin your job search as soon as you obtain the necessary qualifications. If your find your search gets off to a slow start, you might consider exploring substitute teaching opportunities. Working as a substitute teacher can help you build connections within various school districts and gain essential experience in the classroom.⁵

Professional Certifications

If you intend to teach ELLs in public schools in the U.S., then you'll need to obtain a state-issued teaching license or certification with an ESL endorsement, in addition to earning your bachelor’s degree.⁴ Private schools may also require a state-issued license.⁴ If you wish to teach ELLs in other settings, such as abroad, then you may need to obtain an ESL teaching certificate not issued by a state. To obtain this certificate, you’ll need to complete an ESL training program, such as a TEFL/TESOL certificate from The TEFL Org — an internationally recognized organization and credential.³

As you can see, the career pathway can look a little different depending on whether you would like to teach in public schools here in the U.S. or in other locations and settings. If you aren’t quite sure where you’d like to teach, consider meeting the requirements to teach in public schools in your state. Doing so may also provide a pathway to teach elsewhere if you wish.

Best Degrees for ESL Teachers

A career as an ESL teacher welcomes individuals from diverse academic backgrounds, particularly those transitioning from other fields. The best degrees for ESL teachers typically involve comprehensive preparation programs that cover key areas like child development and literacy. These programs also include a student teaching component, providing essential hands-on experience in classroom settings.

ESL teacher preparation programs may cover topics such as:

• Instructional planning
• Student assessments
• Literacy development
• Learning environments
• Education ethics and advocacy
• Child development

GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for ESL Teachers

An ESL teacher needs to be able to inspire and motivate their students, manage the classroom and provide quality instruction.² In addition to pedagogical and ESL skills, these teachers can benefit from soft skills like communication and empathy.³ You may have opportunities to work on these skills during your degree program and as you gain work experience.

If you’re interested in meeting ESL teacher requirements, you may wish to consider the following degree programs:

Bachelor’s Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in English as a Second Language

Master’s Programs

• Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This degree is not intended for licensure or endorsement.

Other Programs

• Graduate Certificate of Completion in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This degree is not intended for licensure or endorsement.
• Graduate Certificate of Completion Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach, Elementary Education
• Graduate Certificate of Completion Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach, Secondary Education

Essential Skills for ESL Teachers

ESL teachers help ELLs adapt to life in their new country while helping them develop fundamental language skills needed for lifelong achievements.

ESL teachers can benefit from a blend of technical and soft skills, including the following:^2,3,4

Median Annual Wage

Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer data specific to elementary ESL teachers, it does compile information for all types of kindergarten and elementary school teachers. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for kindergarten and elementary school teachers is $63,670 as of May 2023.⁶

Expected Job Growth

The BLS anticipates about 106,500 job openings to become available for these professionals each year from 2023 to 2033.⁷ Employers will need to hire new teachers to replace faculty members who retire or otherwise leave the field.⁷

Where Do ESL Teachers Work? 

ESL teachers have a great deal of flexibility in choosing a work setting. They may work in any of the following settings:³

There are many opportunities available in education, including lateral moves and advancement possibilities. ESL teachers may decide to tackle the challenges of teaching students abroad, for example.³ They might also choose to pursue advancement in the classroom such as lead teacher. 

Other possibilities may include administrative positions such as principal or superintendent, which typically require a more advanced degree. Additionally, opportunities in higher education and alternative paths like instructional design, training and development, curriculum writing and consulting often necessitate advanced qualifications, such as a master’s degree.^4,8

Earn Your ESL-Focused Degree at GCU

If you enjoy working with diverse students and have a passion for teaching language, then you may wish to take the next step after learning how to become an ESL teacher. Apply online at GCU today to start earning your Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in English as a Second Language.