You can start your career as an English teacher at any age. The salary is good compared to other jobs, and you get a good pension. You can also opt for TEFL courses from different countries and learn about the English language through these courses.
When I was a kid, my mom always told me that education was the key to my future. She was right. You can be an English teacher by day, but there’s a much bigger opportunity than just teaching English.
You don’t need a degree in English to become an English teacher. There are plenty of job openings all around the world. But, if you want to become a teacher for a living, you’ll want to go beyond just the basics and learn more about the profession.
That’s why this blog post will help you become an English teacher, including everything you need to know about getting into the industry and how to become a teacher.
As an educator, it’s important to understand that learning is not just the result of a good education. It is also the result of a good teacher who creates a comfortable and supportive learning environment. The teacher’s personality plays a significant role in creating a successful learning experience.
Advantages and disadvantages of being an English teacher
A career as an English teacher is one of the best. If you love to teach and learn, this could be your perfect career.
Here are a few advantages:
- You can travel the world. If you want to travel, then this is the best career to do so. You can move to different countries, teach English, and make money.
- You can work remotely. You don’t need to be in a particular place to teach. You can prepare from your own home, wherever you are.
- You can work with children. Teaching is one of the few careers where you can work with kids and help them learn.
But, being a teacher is also not without its drawbacks:
- You can be a freelancer. Being a freelancer means you work on your own, and you’re responsible for everything.
- You can’t be a full-time employee. You’re a freelancer, which means you’ll have to work part-time.
- You’ll have to spend a lot of time preparing lessons. There’s no such thing as a quick lesson.
But, if you’re willing to put in the time and energy, this is a great career.
How to Become an English Teacher
Becoming a teacher is a dream job for many, but you won’t know if you can do it until you try.
If you want to become a teacher, you must prepare yourself for the challenge ahead. Many teachers are passionate about their subject, so you’ll have to find something that matches your skills and interests.
Here are some things you should consider before you start your career as a teacher.
What types of jobs are available?
Here’s a breakdown of the types of positions available as an English teacher:
- Full-time or Part-time
- Elementary school, middle school, or high school
- Daycare center
- Online
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Tutoring center
- Summer camps
- Special needs
- ESL
- TEFL
- ESL or TOEFL
- Other
English Teacher Qualifications
While most English teachers are certified by the National Board of Examiners for English Language Arts (NABELA), there is no formal certification process.
The only requirement is a bachelor’s degree in English or another academic subject. If you want to teach English in a different country, check out the U.S. Department of State’s list of approved schools.
Education Requirements for Teachers
Teachers are responsible for the well-being of children. That’s why, before you start a career as an English teacher, you should learn about the educational system and requirements.
While most English teachers do not have a degree, they usually have some college credits. In addition, you can find a lot of information on the internet about the educational system and how to become an English teacher.
Here’s a quick list of what you need to become an English teacher in the U.S.:
*A high school diploma
*At least two years of English teaching experience
*Successful completion of a course on English grammar
*Successful completion of a course on English composition
*Successful completion of an English proficiency test
*Successful completion of a course in the English language
*Successful completion of a course on teaching reading
*Successful completion of a course on teaching writing
Frequently Asked Questions, English Teacher
Q: What’s your opinion on how to become an English teacher?
A: I got a job teaching English in Beijing when I graduated. It was hard, but I made it work. I am very grateful.
Q: What are the most important traits of a successful English teacher?
A: You must love English, be flexible, and have strong communication skills. It would help if you were patient when dealing with students different from you.
Q: What is the biggest misconception about teaching English?
A: The biggest misconception is that most teachers are paid to teach. That’s not true. You can be a teacher without getting paid.
Q: How did you get into teaching English?
A: When I finished university, I wanted to teach English, so I searched for a job. My family didn’t enjoy me introducing myself, but I made them understand my passion for English and my interest in helping people.
Top Myths About English Teachers
- People who have no teaching experience or any degree will become teachers.
- The salary for teachers is very low.
- Teachers need to work for free. Otherwise, they won’t get hired.
Conclusion
As you might imagine, becoming an English teacher is a great career choice for those passionate about language, literature, and education. English teachers are in high demand and can typically expect to earn well above the national average. In addition, their employment prospects tend to be quite stable. But it isn’t easy to become an English teacher. You will need to pass some rigorous tests to prove your mastery of the English language, and then you will need to complete a program of study at a university.
