TESOL is an acronym that stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Earning a certification or degree in TESOL is a great way to start a new career or create new opportunities within the career that you already have.
Travel the World
People who are interested in learning about other cultures by living abroad are often drawn to TESOL because of the opportunities it presents to travel. English is generally an in-demand language, and a certified TESOL teacher will find many different jobs to apply to. Teachers can earn money while living and working in another country, and often TESOL teachers are given free or reduced housing as a part of their employment. If earning money is one of your goals, look first for positions in some of the higher paying locations around the world. Money aside, being immersed in a foreign culture for an extended period of time is the best way to learn about other people and places!
Teaching TESOL is a serious commitment, and not just a vacation. People who have earned a certificate or a degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages are committed educators who spend a good portion of their days preparing to teach or working with students.
Meet Interesting People Where You Currently Live
If your idea of a dream job is to live and work in the United States, teaching TESOL is a great option. You will meet interesting immigrants from all over the world and be able to help them achieve their dreams of living and working in the United States, studying for the citizenship exam, earning a driver’s license, or tutoring their children.
Within the United States, people with a TESOL certificate can tutor or teach in some non-accredited programs, and people with a bachelor’s degree or higher can earn an average of $25 and hour teaching English, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This estimate can vary greatly based on your location, your level of experience, and your training. The variability of a career in TESOL is part of the reason that it is so appealing to many people.
Training that Fits Your Goals
There is a lot to consider when you begin looking at TESOL programs. You can choose a program that fits your specific goals, which cannot be said for every career! If you want to travel the world while making money, a lower-cost certificate program may be right for you. If you want to build a career and a life in the United States and travel during your summer break from school, earning a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree may be for you. Perhaps you want to work for a large company who is seeking to attract employees from overseas, and they want to offer English language lessons as an incentive. Maybe you want to moonlight as an adjunct professor, teaching adults ‘survival English’ in the evenings at a community college. Whatever your goal is, always work backwards from what your end goal is before you enroll in a training program. For example, if you want to work in Dubai, research employers and the level of training they ask their teacher candidates to have.
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TESOL is an adventure that you can explore where you currently live, or by working abroad. With a degree or certificate as a TESOL instructor, you can specialize in teaching students of any age and create a career that fits your personality, skills, and goals.