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BenAldridge0 Posted 10 years ago
Teaching
Becoming an ESL Instructor
Hey all,
I am strongly considering becoming an ESL instructor at the college level and am thus hoping to start an open line of communication with those of you who have relevant experience. Here are two questions, but I'd appreciate the opportunity to follow up and have ongoing conversations about this career path.
1) Is there a burnt out factor when it comes to teaching ESL? I've spent the past five years as a one on one tutor at the college level, and sometimes it can become very tedious explaining the same content over and over again to multiple people every day. Is being an instructor somewhat different than that?
2) Generally, what are the most important pieces of advice you would give to someone like me who is strongly considering becoming an ESL instructor?
Thanks, in advance, for your time.
I am strongly considering becoming an ESL instructor at the college level and am thus hoping to start an open line of communication with those of you who have relevant experience. Here are two questions, but I'd appreciate the opportunity to follow up and have ongoing conversations about this career path.
1) Is there a burnt out factor when it comes to teaching ESL? I've spent the past five years as a one on one tutor at the college level, and sometimes it can become very tedious explaining the same content over and over again to multiple people every day. Is being an instructor somewhat different than that?
2) Generally, what are the most important pieces of advice you would give to someone like me who is strongly considering becoming an ESL instructor?
Thanks, in advance, for your time.
Top answer
I first taught English to Francophones in 1967. I have been teaching English in Japan for the last 25 years. It has been an unmitigated pleasure and satisfaction.
- I first taught English to Francophones in 1967.
- I have been teaching English in Japan for the last 25 years.
- It has been an unmitigated pleasure and satisfaction.
- If you don't enjoy teaching the same grammar and vocabulary points over and over, get another career.
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5 Answers
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I first taught English to Francophones in 1967. I have been teaching English in Japan for the last 25 years. It has been an unmitigated pleasure and satisfaction.
If you don't enjoy teaching the same grammar and vocabulary points over and over, get another career.
If you don't enjoy teaching the same grammar and vocabulary points over and over, get another career.
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Have you ever worked as a one on one tutor, where you have to explain the same content, perhaps 10-15 times, to 5-10 people during the course of one day? That is when it becomes extremely difficult for me. As a teacher, I understand there is repetition, but in overseeing a class, you transition the students from one topic to the next. This, I imagine, would be far less tedious than the above.
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Well, Repetition in learning is something inevitable. but you can choose some strategies not to sound boring - and feel bored. Try to vary your activities and check the mood of your students, then you'll find out what works better for you - and them. From you post, I assume you teach the same topic to many groups, right?
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To me, a key question is how much freedom I have to set my own curriculum and to plan my own activities.
Another is the attitude off the students. Mine have always wanted to learn..
Another is the attitude off the students. Mine have always wanted to learn..
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Great discussion, everyone.
As with any job, there will of course be days when the whole routine seems a bit monotonous, but the beauty of English language teaching is that it only gets boring when you stop trying new things.
I now teach EAP and I love it because I get to help students achieve tangible results that open up new opportunities in their lives. I can see how the personal tutor
As with any job, there will of course be days when the whole routine seems a bit monotonous, but the beauty of English language teaching is that it only gets boring when you stop trying new things.
I now teach EAP and I love it because I get to help students achieve tangible results that open up new opportunities in their lives. I can see how the personal tutor
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