Hi there - I had a question on everyone's perceptions of the ESL roles within schools. I am certified as a high school English teacher and have been one for the past 4 years. I am working on a TESOL certificate (master's program) that I will finish in May. There seem to be more openings in schools I am interested in for ESL than English Language Arts, with no experience in my area, but experience as an English teacher do you think it is wise to apply for these positions or should I stick with positions in English Language Arts?
I know there is no one "right" answer, but your perceptions about the role of ESL teachers in international schools would be really beneficial.
Thanks!
ESL Opinion
I think having the ESL certification makes you all the more marketable. Personally, I would apply for any job you´re interested in that you feel qualified for. I applied for a couple of ESL jobs at my last job fair, but they turned out to be coordinators´ positions that I didn´t feel up to (all my ESL experience is within other subjects).
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goinggoinggone
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 1:38 pm
I definitely agree with heyteach that having the ESL certification on top of the certification in high school English makes you more marketable. A lot of international schools have significant populations of second language learners so knowing ESL strategies can help you even as a regular classroom teacher.
I'm actually an ESL teacher for elementary students at an international school. When I first started I was surprised to walk into a department with no set curriculum. There were a few phonics books and the other teachers borrowed extra first grade textbooks to teach first through eighth graders English. Part of my job has been to develop the ESL curriculum, find appropriate assessment tools, train some of the other teachers in the department, and of course to teach. My school might be an extreme example, but you should definitely check with other teachers to see how well established the program is before accepting a position.
I definitely think it's a good idea to apply for ESL positions as well as high school English positions. Personally, though I would probably advise you not to apply for elementary ESL positions unless you have a good deal of experience working with students in those grades. If you're nervous about not having prior ESL experience, it might make the situation worse if you have to adjust not only to ESL as a subject but also to younger students. Elementary ESL requires a lot of collaborating with classroom teachers and sometimes even planning and teaching the same room. This requires that you have a lot of knowledge of elementary standards and content areas. I know some schools even ask that elementary ESL teachers have experience as elementary homeroom teachers. I know I was hired for my current position partly because I'm a certified elementary teacher as well as having an endorsement in TESOL.
I hope this is helpful! If you have any more specific questions about ESL in international schools, I'd be happy to try and answer them as best I can.
I'm actually an ESL teacher for elementary students at an international school. When I first started I was surprised to walk into a department with no set curriculum. There were a few phonics books and the other teachers borrowed extra first grade textbooks to teach first through eighth graders English. Part of my job has been to develop the ESL curriculum, find appropriate assessment tools, train some of the other teachers in the department, and of course to teach. My school might be an extreme example, but you should definitely check with other teachers to see how well established the program is before accepting a position.
I definitely think it's a good idea to apply for ESL positions as well as high school English positions. Personally, though I would probably advise you not to apply for elementary ESL positions unless you have a good deal of experience working with students in those grades. If you're nervous about not having prior ESL experience, it might make the situation worse if you have to adjust not only to ESL as a subject but also to younger students. Elementary ESL requires a lot of collaborating with classroom teachers and sometimes even planning and teaching the same room. This requires that you have a lot of knowledge of elementary standards and content areas. I know some schools even ask that elementary ESL teachers have experience as elementary homeroom teachers. I know I was hired for my current position partly because I'm a certified elementary teacher as well as having an endorsement in TESOL.
I hope this is helpful! If you have any more specific questions about ESL in international schools, I'd be happy to try and answer them as best I can.
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wrldtrvlr123
- Posts: 1173
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
- Location: Japan
ESL vs ELA
ELA certification certainly could not hurt. On the other hand, last time I checked on Search, there were like 157 schools looking for English (as in ELA) teachers, so I think you will be fine sticking with your strongest area of certification and experience.
Thanks again for sharing your views about the ESL component of my training.
I am struggling with the idea of Elementary as well, though I do feel comfortable with the 4-6 grade range, I worked in a resource room for an extended amount of time while subbing with that age group, and while in England teaching at a regular UK school I had students who were the age of 6th graders because of the difference in labeling groups (year 7 which I taught is the equivalent of 6th grade). I do hope to be able to speak to some teachers currently at the school to get an idea of what is in place, and my lack of experience as a main ESL teacher makes me want to focus on Language Arts and hopefully build the skills while abroad due to the exposure to more ESL students.
Those of you with ESL certification, did you do a certificate program through a university or an intensive course by a company? My course is university based, but a friend who did a 6 week program said it was much more focused in terms of planning, while my certificate is very academic in that the courses are around the subject, but not wholly focused on it practically in a way the other types of certification seem to be.
The high number of Language Arts jobs is nice - I'm hoping to find something in an area I want to live in, but know in order to get some experience I might need to head farther afield. Thanks again everyone :)
I am struggling with the idea of Elementary as well, though I do feel comfortable with the 4-6 grade range, I worked in a resource room for an extended amount of time while subbing with that age group, and while in England teaching at a regular UK school I had students who were the age of 6th graders because of the difference in labeling groups (year 7 which I taught is the equivalent of 6th grade). I do hope to be able to speak to some teachers currently at the school to get an idea of what is in place, and my lack of experience as a main ESL teacher makes me want to focus on Language Arts and hopefully build the skills while abroad due to the exposure to more ESL students.
Those of you with ESL certification, did you do a certificate program through a university or an intensive course by a company? My course is university based, but a friend who did a 6 week program said it was much more focused in terms of planning, while my certificate is very academic in that the courses are around the subject, but not wholly focused on it practically in a way the other types of certification seem to be.
The high number of Language Arts jobs is nice - I'm hoping to find something in an area I want to live in, but know in order to get some experience I might need to head farther afield. Thanks again everyone :)
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insubordination
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:27 am
Didn't want to start a new thread, so bumped this one.
I have been teaching ESL for around 10 years. I have decided to enrol in Uni this year for a PGDE. They assessed my undergraduate degree and found me eligible to teach Spanish, English and ESL. However, I can only choose two subject areas. To do three would take a further 3-6 months. I already have 1 year's post-grad training in ESL, but can only teach adults.
I have looked at job vacancies on TES and so on and English seems to have far more vacancies advertised. I was not a literature, but a linguistics major. I have done some literature subjects, but am by no means on par with someone who has done a literature degree.
I would like to know your opinions on which subject I should choose. If I can only choose two, which combination of Spanish/ESL/English would make me more employable?
I have been teaching ESL for around 10 years. I have decided to enrol in Uni this year for a PGDE. They assessed my undergraduate degree and found me eligible to teach Spanish, English and ESL. However, I can only choose two subject areas. To do three would take a further 3-6 months. I already have 1 year's post-grad training in ESL, but can only teach adults.
I have looked at job vacancies on TES and so on and English seems to have far more vacancies advertised. I was not a literature, but a linguistics major. I have done some literature subjects, but am by no means on par with someone who has done a literature degree.
I would like to know your opinions on which subject I should choose. If I can only choose two, which combination of Spanish/ESL/English would make me more employable?