ESL is an acronym that stands for "English as a Second Language," and is used to not only describe the field of study, but the profession itself. It's a growing and important career, given that one in five U.S. residents speaks a foreign language in their home, according to a report for the Center for Immigration Studies. You may have heard other acronyms to describe it, such as TESOL, "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages."
"It's a rewarding and enjoyable profession," says Tasha Bleistein, Ph.D., the Director of Online TESOL Programs at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. "For those who enjoy learning about cultures and helping equip students to reach educational, career, and life goals, it is a very fulfilling profession."
Tasha Bleistein, Ph.D., the Director of Online TESOL Programs at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.
There are many paths to becoming an ESL instructor, and Dr. Bleistein notes that many of the students in her program have experienced teaching English as a volunteer and realized it is enjoyable to work with English language learners. Others realized they wanted to pursue a career teaching English and completed their undergraduate degrees in fields such as English, linguistics or education. A career in ESL does require a degree, she notes, and training is most commonly available at the master's degree level.
Degree Programs in TESOL/ESL
According to the TESOL International Association, more than 300 universities in the U.S. have a TESOL program. Degree types vary by program and include the following examples:
- Master of Education in TESOL
- Master of Arts in TESOL
- Master of Arts in Teaching - TESOL
- Master of Science in Applied Linguistics
- Master of Arts in English - TESOL specialization
- Master of Arts in TESOL - K-12 Certification
Generally speaking, ESL master's degree programs are designed for three types of students:
- Individuals who are currently teaching in K-12 settings
- Those that want to teach in the K-12 public education system
- Those who desire to teach ESL in a variety of non-public school system settings
Although curriculum varies by program, students are likely to develop an understanding of intercultural communication and be equipped with the skills to teach English to individuals where English is a foreign, second or international language. Example coursework includes the following.
- Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
- TESOL Pedagogy
- Systems of New English Language
- Methods of Teaching English Language Learners
Graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics reveals that more than 3,000 students completed a master's degree in TESOL during the 2014-15 school year. Here are the ten universities that graduated the most students with a TESOL master's in that same year.
| University | Degrees Conferred |
| Grand Canyon University | 154 |
| University of Southern California | 150 |
| Western Governors University | 114 |
| CUNY Hunter College | 110 |
| Universidad Del Turabo | 89 |
| Newman University | 79 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 69 |
| Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana | 67 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 66 |
| St John's University-New York | 65 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Online ESL Programs
In addition to campus-based options, many universities offer online ESL programs for students - including some of the schools listed above. These online programs may include everything from a master's degree to a certificate.
Master's Degree Programs
Master's programs are usually 33- to 36-credit hours in length and are designed for different types of students. Students may choose from programs such as the Master of Arts/Science or Master of Education (M.Ed.) which is designed for K-12 and adult education teachers. Some programs may require students to complete a practicum and, in many cases, that part can be conducted in the educator's own classroom. Students may enroll full- or part-time and can graduate in as little as 18 months.
"We use a cohort model online that allows students to develop relationships and support each other through the program," says Dr. Bleisten. "And, most students follow a full-time schedule that includes 12 required courses, at least low intermediate proficiency in a second language, attend a conference and complete a final portfolio."
Online programs are complementary and students experience the same academic rigors as their campus-based counterparts. For example, Dr. Bleistein explains that students in the online program at Asuza Pacific work through a variety of assignments weekly, such as reading, watching presentations and spend considerable time online interacting with classmates and their professors.
Graduate Certificate Programs
Graduate certificate programs are designed for different purposes, and could be fitting for career changers, K-12 educators who want to earn an ESL endorsement, and professionals who desire to teach English abroad. Graduate ESL certificates are typically 15- to 18-credit hours in length and curriculum focuses on practical instruction in ESL principles and teaching techniques.
ESL Career Paths and Opportunities
Potential career paths in ESL are diverse, ranging from adult education to community work, K-12 teaching to curriculum design. Because there are so many different types of ESL teaching jobs across the US, it is difficult to pin down a specific career path and subsequent salary for teachers in the space. However, recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the career opportunities for teachers in general is quite good nationwide.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Mean Annual Wage | Job Growth |
| Elementary School Teachers | 1,381,430 | $57,730 | 6% |
| Middle School Teachers | 632,760 | $58,760 | 6% |
| High School Teachers | 962,820 | $60,440 | 6% |
| Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors | 65,110 | $54,060 | 7% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Is An ESL Degree the Right Choice?
According to Dr. Bleistein, convenience is the most obvious benefit of online programs as students can complete their work at the time of day that works for them. Prospective students should take time to research the various options available to them and consider if they are a good fit for an online program. "I encourage prospective students to consider their learning styles and needs, as well their professional goals, financial resources, and amount of time they have available to commit to an online course of study." If students require regular face-to-face time with classmates and instructors, then Bleistein suggests an online program may not actually be a good fit.
Ultimately, some people are naturally inclined to work in the ESL field. "Besides strong English language skills (which indicate the person will be a strong teacher), we look for someone who enjoys working with learners, is patient, has a history of cooperating with colleagues, and works diligently." If a student matches that profile, then an education -- and career -- in ESL could be a perfect match.
Sources:
- NumbersUSA, High Immigration Levels Cause Dramatic Increase in Non-English Speakers in U.S., https://www.numbersusa.com/news/high-immigration-levels-causes-dramatic-increase-non-english-speakers-us
- TESOL, ESL Qualifications, http://www.tesol.org/enhance-your-career/career-development/beginning-your-career/common-qualifications-for-english-language-teachers
- TESOL, Distance Learning, http://www.tesol.org/enhance-your-career/career-development/beginning-your-career/celta-programs-tefl-certificate-programs-and-distance-learning-programs
- May 2015 Occupation Profiles, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm
- Interview with Dr. Tasha Bleistein, conducted June 29, 2015
- National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/