With the growing fondness for learning English among non-native English speakers, it’s the best time to become an ESL teacher.

1.35 billion people in this world speak English, while 360 million out of those claim English as their first language. That sounds like a huge potential! There are a lot of heads who might need to learn a thing or two about pronouns, adjectives, colloquial phrases, and whatnot.

An ESL Teacher’s Life

The name has a complete job description — an ESL teacher instructs students who don’t speak English as their primary language. But here comes the challenging part: The lessons must not ignore the student’s individual needs and cultural differences.

Must-Haves of ESL Teaching Jobs

Now, let’s make a checklist of everything you might need to teach ESL:

• A Bachelor’s Degree: Firstly, becoming an English teacher to non-native speakers requires you to have a bachelor’s degree (in any major). While there are no concrete rules for a master’s degree, having one can push your resume for specialized roles.

• ESL Teaching Certification: Such English teaching jobs also require you to undergo ESL training and acquire a certificate. Depending upon the specifications and job location, you will earn a TESL or TESOL certificate. If your job is based in your own country, TESL will suffice. However, teaching English as a foreign language jobs will require TESOL. 

• Previous Experience: Most employers only look for USA ,China, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa’s location on your resume. But, some of them might also screen candidates based on their previous experience as an English teacher.

What to Expect for Salary?

Even if one doesn’t look to earn in massive digits, the salary of any job can be a major concern. No matter how passionate or ambitious you are, you have got bills to pay.

Although the reimbursement for ESL teaching jobs depends on where you’re working and who you are working for, two factors play a huge role. 

Teaching ESL Online

Online learning has become a new cool and a source of bread and butter for many. The pay scale is not similar to foreign jobs, but it’s good enough. Once again, it depends on who is employing you and whether they hire you permanently or freelance. 

Overseas ESL Teaching Jobs

In this case, the guest country and your qualifications play a role, but there’s some good news — wherever you are, your salary will be adjusted to meet the cost of living comfortably. 

English teaching jobs in South Korea and China can be up to 1750 to 3000 US dollars. Just like that, Japan pays 2800 USD and Vietnam pays 2000 USD to ESL teachers. 

Finding Jobs to Teach ESL

In non-English countries, you’ll get to teach ESL in public schools, language schools, and summer schools. These countries even hire English teachers at the university level to help their students polish their business language skills.

However, if you do not feel like leaving your country yet, online tutoring and international schools are always an option. 

What Else Do You Need?

Here’s the bottom line: Teaching ESL is not only about a fancy certificate or a strong grasp of English. Your adaptability, communication skills, empathy, and genuine love for spreading knowledge are also unspoken requirements for ESL teaching jobs. 

If you feel you have the substance it takes to become an English teacher, the world awaits you!