Teaching ESL in the USA

Teaching ESL in the USA

Many Canadian ESL schools and agents have noticed that the huge influx of international ESL students has not happened so far in 2007. There has been some progress since 2006 but not a huge jump in numbers.

During our conversations with international students we found that many students are using the high Canada dollar as their reason for not traveling to Canada to study.

Going to Canada and saving 20 to 35% was an excellent value when comparing with USA based ESL education suppliers. Saving only 8 to 12% is not considered enough of a discount.

International students would rather have a certificate from an ESL summer school at Harvard, Colombia, Berkley, MIT or any of the other top tier USA universities. The small discount of 8 to 12 percent offered by attending Canadian schools is not considered enough of an economic benefit for value received.

When viewing the USA based ESL English job offers many teachers have asked about teaching in the USA and this is an article from the US Department of Education.

Please go directly to The US Department of Education for current articles.

*****************************************

Teachers-Adult ESL, Remedial and Self-Enrichment Education

Significant Points

The majority of employed adult teachers work part time and receive no benefits; many unpaid volunteers also teach these subjects. Opportunities for teachers of English as a Second Language are expected to be very good, as the number of immigrants seeking classes is expected to increase. Demand for self-enrichment courses is expected to rise as more people embrace lifelong learning.

Adult literacy and remedial education teachers provide adults and out-of-school youths the education needed to read, write, and speak English, and to perform basic math calculations-basic skills that equip them to solve problems well enough to become active participants in our society, to hold a job, and to further their education. It also includes students who want to take the General Educational Development examination, better known as the GED exam. The GED certificate-earned by passing the GED exam-generally is considered the equivalent of a high school diploma. Increasingly, though, the students in adult education classes are immigrants whose native language is not English.

Teachers who teach literacy to non-English speaking students are called English as a Second Language (ESL) or English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers. Along with English, ESL teachers provide survival and life skills instruction, and lessons on math, health, citizenship, and vocational topics.

All adult education teachers must prepare lessons beforehand, do any related paperwork, and stay current in their fields. Many new teachers also must learn the latest uses for the computer in literacy classrooms. Computers are increasingly being used to supplement instruction in basic skills and to teach students how to find jobs and other information over the Internet.

Because adult education teachers work with adult students, they do not encounter some of the behavioral or social problems sometimes found with younger students. Adults attend by choice, are highly motivated, and bring years of experience to the classroom-attributes that can make teaching these students rewarding and satisfying. However, teachers in remedial or adult basic education deal with students who may lack effective study skills and self-confidence have learning disabilities, and who may require more attention and patience than other students.

Adult education teachers often feel they are not as respected by education
departments as their general education peers. Many work with out-dated computers or in spare rooms with few resources. Funding is rarely adequate and class sizes are often large.

Many adult education teachers work part time. Some have several part-time teaching assignments or work a full-time job in addition to their part-time teaching job, leading to long hours and a hectic schedule. Classes often are held at night or on the weekends to accommodate students who may have a job or family responsibilities.

The education industry employs the majority of these teachers, who work in Adult Learning Centers, libraries, or community colleges. Others work for State and local
governments, providing basic education at juvenile detention and corrections institutions, among other places. Others work for job training facilities; nonprofit, religious, and social service organizations; and residential care facilities. An increasing number of remedial and ESL teachers can be found at worksites, paid by employers to teach English and math to workers.

Most State and local governments and education institutions require that adult
teachers have at least a bachelor? degree and preferably a Master? degree. Some require an elementary or secondary teaching certificate and a few have recently begun requiring a certificate in ESL or adult education. Teaching experience, especially with adults, also is preferred or required.

Most programs recommend that adult literacy and remedial education teachers
take classes on teaching adults, using technology to teach, working with learners from a variety of cultures, and teaching adults with learning disabilities. ESL teachers should also have courses on second language acquisition theory and linguistics. In addition, knowledge of the USA citizenship and naturalization process is very useful.

There are very few opportunities for advancement in this profession. Most jobs are part time and offer limited career potential. However, those who do have full-time jobs often do administrative work along with teaching. Others may go into policy work at a nonprofit organization or perform research. The most experienced ESL teachers may mentor new instructors and volunteers.

Opportunities for jobs as adult literacy, remedial, and self-enrichment education teachers are expected to be very good. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010, and a large number of job openings are expected due to the need to replace people who leave the occupation or retire. Turnover is prevalent in this occupation due to its many part-time jobs.

Median hourly earnings of adult ESL and remedial education teachers and GED instructors were $15.82 in 2005. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.20 and $19.75. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.77, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29.50. Part-time adult ESL and remedial education and GED instructors are generally paid by the hour or by the class and receive no benefits.

Please go directly to The US Department of Education for current articles.

Good Luck