ESL Teacher

You teach English to non-native speakers, which means you explain a language whose rules make no sense even to native speakers. You'll work with students from every corner of the planet — immigrants, refugees, international students — and find ways to teach grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary to people who might speak six languages but not the one you're trying to teach them. Patience is not optional; it's the entire job.

Learn the skills

Courses and certifications to get you job-ready

What you'll actually do

• 01Teach English to students whose first languages span 15+ countries and whose proficiency levels span 5+ years of ability
• 02Explain why 'read' and 'read' are spelled the same but pronounced differently, and accept that English is unhinged
• 03Assess language proficiency using standardized tests that don't quite capture what a student actually knows
• 04Create lesson plans that teach language through content so students learn English AND science AND math simultaneously
• 05Navigate cultural differences in the classroom that affect everything from eye contact to classroom participation norms
• 06Advocate for students who are brilliant in their home language but get labeled as 'struggling' because of a language barrier