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An English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher is responsible for instructing non-native English speaking students ranging from children to adults. As an ESL teacher you assist students in learning the English language such as speaking, reading and writing. Also, you teach students about different cultures of English-speaking populations like the United States. However, before you can start teaching non-native English speaking students, you must know how to become an ESL teacher.



  1. 1
    Earn a bachelor's degree in education, teaching or English. The degree takes 4-to-5 years to complete, depending on the program and college you choose.
    • Take core courses. For example, if you're pursuing a 4-year degree in teaching or education, then you may take core courses such as developing lesson plans. You also must complete general education classes, such as math and political science and elective classes.
  2. 2
    Complete a teaching internship. Most majors require you to complete an internship to graduate with a bachelor's degree. The internship is usually at a school or learning center. Typically, internships are offered for 1 or 2 semesters.
  3. 3
    Join college and professional teaching and ESL organizations. These organizations allow you to network with other ESL professionals and learn more about the career.
  4. 4
    Obtain a master's degree.
    • A graduate degree takes 2-to-3 years to complete. Although the minimum requirement to work is 4-year degree, some employers may prefer hiring an ESL teacher with a graduate degree.
    • You take courses such as linguistics and second-language acquisition theory.
  5. 5
    Complete additional ESL teaching requirements.
    • Earn a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate. The certificate provides you with additional ESL training and is offered online or through community colleges and language institutes.
    • Pass the state teaching examination. States require all teachers to obtain a license to teach at public schools and adult education programs run by the government. Qualifying to take the exam for the license usually requires obtaining a bachelor's degree and finishing a teaching training program.
    • Obtain a visa. You may need a visa to travel, live and work in the country of your employer if you plan to teach outside the United States.
  6. 6
    Work as an ESL teacher.
    • You can obtain employment through networking, help from college advisers or online employment websites.



  • Typically, internships do not offer any compensation such as a weekly paycheck. However, internships do offer college credit and may offer a stipend.
  • You can take a foreign language at any time while you're trying to become an ESL teacher. It may give you an advantage when communicating with some students. However, learning a foreign language is not a prerequisite to teaching non-native English speakers.

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Categories: Teaching

In other languages:

Español: ser profesor de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL), Português: Se Tornar Professor de Inglês, Italiano: Diventare Insegnante di Inglese come Seconda Lingua (ESL Teacher), Русский: стать ESL учителем

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