Many foreign countries require their students to pursue several years of English language courses, and these countries are always looking for well-qualified, natural English speakers to teach these courses. For individuals who have grown up speaking the language, jobs teaching English as a foreign language are easy and very satisfying.
In America, thousands of immigrants are crossing the borders of the United States each year. Since its creation in the eighteenth century, America has always been a place of refuge for foreign immigrants. Today, individuals are immigrating to America from Mexico and Canada, South America, Europe, Africa and even Asia. These individuals are coming to America to pursue a high quality education that may not be offered in their country, secure lucrative career positions, or raise a family in a country that offers unique freedoms. For these immigrants, individuals who are dedicated to teaching English as a foreign language can make the difference between success and failure.
Education Required to Teach English as a Foreign Language
If you want to pursue an exciting and often lucrative career by teaching English as a foreign language, you will have to have some Secondary education. However, the education requirements for jobs teaching English as a foreign language vary considerably from one employer to the next. Some employers and educational institutions simply require a teacher to complete an English proficiency examination and provide examples of classroom experience. Other educational institutions, especially those in America, may require a bachelor’s degree in the English language and a teacher’s license.
Most educational institutions, however, will accept accelerated training programs such as the CELTA course offered by Cambridge. This accelerated program can be completed in a variety of locations nationwide and often takes only a few weeks to complete. In an accelerated learning program, individuals will learn about teaching English as a foreign language, classroom practices, organization, and teaching methods.
Popular Teaching Methods
The teaching methods used in jobs teaching English as a foreign language are widely varied and are continuing to adjust as newer methods prove to be more successful. One of the most popular recently developed methods is the Literature Method. With this method, teachers use popular children’s and teen literature for teaching English as a foreign language. Because these books use simpler language and more straightforward plot development, it is often easier for newer English speakers to comprehend their meaning.
In Asia and parts of Europe, the most common and widely accepted method of teaching English as a foreign language is a communication-based teaching approach. Educational institutions in these areas believe that oral communication in a foreign language is the best way to learn that language. With the invention of the Internet changing the way business and education is conducted throughout the world, many education institutions that offer English as a foreign language courses are using a combination of face to face interactions between teacher and student and computer-based coursework. Jobs teaching English as a foreign language that use this twofold approach may require additional courses in computer programming or basic computer skills.
Job Outlook and Growth
Because of the growing need for English as a foreign language classes in the United States and abroad, jobs teaching English as a foreign language are expected to grow consistently over the next several decades. The English language is secured as one of the most widespread languages used in the world, and America is receiving a consistent flow of immigrants from all around the world. Unlike other job opportunities which fluctuate constantly in their growth patterns, teaching English as a foreign language is one career path with a continuous rate of growth. If you pursue an education to achieve the skills necessary to secure jobs teaching English as a foreign language, you will easily find work in the United States or teaching English abroad.
Teaching English Abroad
For an individual with a sense of adventure, teaching English as a foreign language can be an exciting opportunity when pursued abroad. Teaching English abroad offers a wide variety of lucrative career opportunities because so many countries desperately need native English speakers in their classrooms. Teachers who find jobs teaching English as a foreign language in foreign countries will often be well compensated and will be provided with the experience of a lifetime.
Teaching English as a foreign language offers countless opportunities and a very competitive salary.