ESL Teacher

ESL teachers, also called ESOL or ELL educators, instruct non-native English speakers in language acquisition, literacy, and cultural integration. They assess language proficiency levels, differentiate instruction for multilingual classrooms, and collaborate with content teachers to support academic language development. The BLS reports a median salary of $59,720 with 4% projected growth. A bachelor's degree and ESL certification or endorsement are typically required.

A Day in the Life

A typical day begins with a small-group lesson on vocabulary and pronunciation for beginning-level students. Mid-morning involves pushing into a social studies class to provide language support. After lunch, the teacher assesses a newly enrolled student's English proficiency level. The afternoon includes creating visual aids for an upcoming unit, meeting with a family through an interpreter, and documenting student progress toward language goals.

Key Stats

Required Skills