Training For Teachers With ESOL Students And Where You Can TeachThis article will answer the most frequently asked questions about training for teachers with ESOL students and getting a job as an ESOL teacher. ESOL stands for 'english for speakers of other languages'. These are things you should consider when looking for employment as an ESOL teacher. How many ESOL teaching jobs are available? The demand for ESOL teachers has been and is forecast to remain high so they should rest assured that their skills will be in demand throughout the world for the foreseeable future. Students all over the world are convinced that their ability to speak, write, and communicate in proper English is the key to success. Many foreign governments encourage students to study English. There are more ESOL teaching jobs available than there are teachers to fill them. But that doesn't quite mean ESOL teachers can choose exactly which job they want. It's more difficult for ESOL teachers to find jobs in English-speaking countries and in Western Europe where schools prefer to hire teachers with EU passports because they won't be required to secure a working visa for EU residents which is sometimes an arduous process. Where can I find ESOL teaching jobs? You can find ESOL teaching jobs virtually anywhere. But ESOL teachers should also recognize that all jobs are not created equal. Economic conditions vary widely from country to country. Europe, Asia, and Latin America welcome ESOL teachers with open arms. Africa hires ESOL teachers too but African countries are generally poorer than average and so cannot afford to hire as many ESOL teachers as they probably could use. And English speaking countries like the UK, US, and Australia also have jobs available. Will I need any special ESOL teacher training? The most important qualification to gain employment as an ESOL teacher is a TEFL certificate or equivalent that proves you are competent to teach English. A college degree is often not required. However, many countries require a degree to be granted a work permit, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. No other special ESOL teacher training is required. Should I find an ESOL teaching job before I go overseas? That's a personal preference really. Some ESOL teachers are adventurous and love the excitement of not having every day planned out in advance. These types love to fly off to foreign lands on an adventure armed only with their credentials. They'll start looking for a job when they arrive and in the meantime, there's a lot to do and see in most foreign countries. Some employers actually prefer to meet candidates in person before they'll hire the teachers so candidates who are willing to travel to the country without a job have a decided advantage in these cases. Other ESOL teachers would be terrified at the prospect of not having a job when they arrive. Not to worry, with technological advances these days, interviews are often conducted through video conferencing and it's certainly possible to have the job offer in hand before going to a foreign country. ESOL teaching can be a fun, exciting, and rewarding career. How many other professions have the opportunities to work and get paid virtually anywhere in the world? Not many but ESOL teaching is one of them. |