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Job outlook for english as a second language teachers in the United States
English as a second language teacher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected english as a second language teacher job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for english as a second language teachers are projected over the next decade.
English as a second language teacher salaries have increased 8% for english as a second language teachers in the last 5 years.
There are over 32,000 english as a second language teachers currently employed in the United States.
There are 97,211 active english as a second language teacher job openings in the US.
The average english as a second language teacher salary is $55,428.
Are english as a second language teacher jobs in demand?
English as a second language teacher job and salary trends over time
English as a second language teacher jobs over time
English as a second language teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32,000 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 33,761 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 35,387 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 35,162 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 35,282 | 0.01% |
Average english as a second language teacher salary over time
English as a second language teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,428 | $26.65 | +0.7% |
| 2025 | $55,019 | $26.45 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | $53,492 | $25.72 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $52,143 | $25.07 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $51,195 | $24.61 | +2.8% |
English as a second language teacher jobs by state
Most common states for english as a second language teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 496 | 37% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,850 | 31% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 214 | 31% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 181 | 29% |
| 5 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 813 | 27% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 253 | 24% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,532 | 22% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 174 | 18% |
| 9 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,459 | 16% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 873 | 16% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 343 | 16% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,877 | 15% |
| 13 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 2,951 | 14% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 768 | 14% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 511 | 14% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 407 | 14% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,136 | 13% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 407 | 13% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 258 | 13% |
| 20 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 235 | 13% |
Most common cities for english as a second language teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nampa | 2 | 2% | $34,799 |
| 2 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $56,941 |
| 3 | Fall River | 1 | 1% | $57,055 |
English As A Second Language Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of english as a second language teacher experts
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ohio State University
SUNY Stony Brook
Mercy College
Ohio State University
Saint Mary's College of California
Texas Woman's University
SUNY Buffalo State
Wilson College
University of Houston - Downtown
Concordia University
Arizona State University
The University of Texas Permian Basin
Southwestern College
Pennsylvania State University Altoona
Jackson State University
University of Wyoming
The University of Texas at El Paso
Pepperdine University
What English As A Second Language Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kalli Federhofer: Current and future German students are an advantage. The number of German students in high school is dropping. While this process is worrisome, it is ideal for the new language learners. We still have a large demand for students who combine language proficiency with technical skill; with fewer students around who have language skills, the prospects of finding a lucrative position rises.
What English As A Second Language Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sarah-Grace Heller: Learning one romance language puts you on a fast track to learning another. Having competencies in more than one is a significant advantage for careers in education, translation, and international business. Knowing that you can learn another more easily than a monolingual person is also an advantage.
Dr. Sarah Jourdain
Chair, Department of Languages & Cultural Studies, Director, World Language Teacher PreparationSUNY Stony Brook
Area Studies
What general advice would you give to an English As A Second Language Teacher?
Dr. Sarah Jourdain: For those starting a career in the field of languages and cultural studies, maximizing salary potential can be achieved by becoming certified in a minimum of two fields (e.g., French and Spanish, or a World Language and TESOL). This certification provides greater job flexibility and can lead to increased earning potential.
What English As A Second Language Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Sarah Jourdain: The ability to speak another language, understand other cultures, and possess intercultural competence will become increasingly important and prevalent in various fields including International Business, Government work, NGOs, and translation/interpretation. There is a growing demand for World Language teachers, Bilingual teachers, and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in the K-12 school system.
What will help English As A Second Language Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sarah Jourdain: The ability to speak another language, and understand other cultures, is of great benefit in many fields including International Business, work for Governments as well as NGOs, and translation and interpretation to name just a few. Intercultural competence, paired with language ability, makes most people more marketable in their chosen fields. I'm best able to speak specifically about those preparing to become K-12 language teachers since that is the population of students I work most closely with. There is a growing demand for World Language teachers, as well as Bilingual teachers, and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in the K-12 school system. It is an excellent time to enter the teaching profession. For those wishing to become teachers, it is advisable to become certified in a minimum of two fields (French and Spanish, for example, or a World Language and TESOL). This provides a greater range of job flexibility.
What general advice would you give to an English As A Second Language Teacher?
Dr. Christina O'Connor Ph.D.: In teaching, salaries are generally fixed based on years of experience and credentials. So, the best way to maximize earning potential is to get additional credentials through pursuing advanced degrees or National Board certification, depending on your state's salary schedule.
What English As A Second Language Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alan Hartman: Being fluent in two or more languages is essential in today's work. We are becoming increasingly globalized and tethered together as a world community. The more languages one speaks, reads, understands, and writes fluently the more opportunities one will find. Many people speak a second language, especially in New York, however very few can command a professional level of cultural or linguistic fluency in more than one language. Understanding another culture and language is power, and the more languages one speaks fluently while also holding an elevated level of cultural understanding, the more opportunities of all kinds will become apparent.
I think it is also important to note that there is a record lack of languages teachers in general at the moment and this is one field into which many of our graduates enter. Italian, French, Spanish, and TESOL teachers are all in tremendous need and now is an excellent moment for new teachers to find immediate, meaningful, and well-paying positions with excellent benefits.
Similarly, many government agencies, among them the FBI, Foreign Service, and others, are actively seeking to attract recent graduates into their field and a background in languages well positions future candidates who wish to do so.
Janice Aski
Professor of Italian and Director of the Center for Languages Literatures and CulturesOhio State University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What will help English As A Second Language Teachers increase their earning potential?
Janice Aski: Students graduating with majors and minors in a world language have so many skills that they have developed during their studies in a new language. I often see students not leveraging these skills in interviews and on their resumes. Through the Center for Languages Literatures and Cultures we offer a workshop in which we explain to students what these skills are and how to talk about them in interviews and how to put them on their resume as more than just a line at the end under ‘languages spoken’. See the next answer for what some of these skills are.
What English As A Second Language Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Alter Ph.D.: Public school salary systems are determined by years of teaching (sometimes called Steps) and level of education. Get a Master's degree. Add an authorization via coursework. Anything that will move you over a column on the salary schedule. Then figure out your side hustle- coaching, tutoring, doing something completely away from education. This may be challenging in your first year but as you get acclimated, you are going to have more time that you will be able to monetize.
Gina Anderson
Associate Dean for Educator Preparation and PartnershipsTexas Woman's University
TWU College of Professional Education
What general advice would you give to an English As A Second Language Teacher?
Gina Anderson: The intrinsic factors (making an impact, schedule, etc.) are often enjoyed by teachers. The paperwork, rules, regulations, and high-stakes accountability measures are often disliked by educators.
What will help English As A Second Language Teachers increase their earning potential?
Gina Anderson: Education is the most important of all careers, as educators prepare others to work in all professions. Despite the challenges associated with being an educator, it is highly rewarding, especially when student success is a result of an educator's influence. The starting pay is typically in line with other 4 year college graduates, and the schedule and holidays are conducive to family life.
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSUNY Buffalo State
Department of English
What skills will help English As A Second Language Teachers earn the most?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: I believe that the critical thinking skills that can only be developed through intensive, deep reading are their most valuable asset. It makes them thinkers, intellectually and emotionally strong--something we desperately need in America today. They are active and engaged citizens who really excel at being self-motivated and engaged, and that is a valuable skill set to bring to any workplace.
What hard/technical skills are most important for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: Most of these have to do with their ability to write and think. Their critical thinking skills and self-motivation make them valuable contributors to the workplaces they join. Because they are trained to be self-motivated, they tend to need less oversight to ensure the success of the project(s) they are completing, making for less direct administrative need. They have been trained to break apart a problem and see (and solve) the problem's component parts through the process of critical thinking. Trained in a meta-discourse, they do not become outdated when one formal system in their field becomes obsolete, but they see beyond systems to larger issues.
What skills stand out on English As A Second Language Teacher resumes?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: Their involvement in many kinds of experience through the English major, including the study of literature/culture and their experiences as writers and thinkers. Through involvement in opportunities such as writing tutoring, which is done via the department, publishing, and internships, our majors can be leaders in the work in which they are invested, helping to manage and guide others.
What soft skills should all English As A Second Language Teachers possess?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: English majors, while many are introverted thinkers, are good workers on group projects. They are affable and adaptable, good conversationalists who are also good listeners. They allow others to find their own voice and do their work while contributing their own insights. They are great for being engaged in culture and perpetuating the kinds of self-directed learning that is expected of English majors inside and outside the classroom.
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.
Professor of English, Program Director MAHUMWilson College
English Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: While college-and college students-are increasingly digital, students are becoming less and less technical. Even compared to 10 years ago, my students' technical knowledge has significantly declined. That is why I encourage my students to become proficient in some useful software suite, such as Adobe Creative Cloud. Taking one or two classes in any software suite is tremendously beneficial and can help an applicant to really stand out from other English majors.
What skills stand out on English As A Second Language Teacher resumes?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: In the academy, we often talk about English majors teaching students vital skills in critical thinking, communication, research, and analysis. An English major can be handed a project and know how to research the necessary components, compile them together in a clear and consistent format, and present that material to a client or supervisor with confidence. And I think the skill that really unites all of these aspects of the English major is independence. In our field, we ask students to articulate the rudiments of pragmatics, identify the meaning inherent to a seventeenth-century poem, and punch back at the masterpieces of the canon. No student can tackle such a diverse learning platform without a streak of independence that teaches them that, yes, scholars have been analyzing and deconstructing Shakespeare for 500 years, but no one has quite seen the text the way you have, and that's why you need to write about it. Heck, in a national conversation about higher education that strongly suggests that any major without a specific job title in its name should not even be considered, it takes someone who is a bit of a maverick to choose a major in English. But that independent streak serves our students really well in their careers and lives beyond college.
On a resume, I look for independence in that projection completion mode: acting as editor for student media; presenting a paper at a conference; writing a theatrical work; publishing; internships; etc. Anything that shows me that the applicant can tackle a project and get it done is what I am looking for.
What soft skills should all English As A Second Language Teachers possess?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: Communication and care. Communication in all of its forms-written, oral, public speaking, and interpersonal, one-on-one communication abilities are all vital. A confident communicator can work wonders in many fields.
Add to that care. The study of English is not just the study of language; it is the study of those narratives that shape and dominate humanity and the means through which we make and understand them. I can't think of a better way to learn and know people. But that should come through as an ethos of care. If you want to teach, you must care for your students. No matter the field an English major may find themselves in, an ethos of care will serve them well.
What skills will help English As A Second Language Teachers earn the most?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: Self-advocacy. I am not suggesting every English major rush to their boss and demand a big raise, but our culture continually suggests one should apologize for majoring in a liberal arts field. I don't buy it. English majors are amazing at solving problems, facilitating communication, researching ideas, developing programs-they are, in short, the total package. And they have a tremendous capacity to learn new skills and new abilities. This is why students from my college, for example, end up in a huge variety of subject fields. We need to understand the value we bring to any organization as an English major.
Adam Ellwanger Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishUniversity of Houston - Downtown
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
What hard/technical skills are most important for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Adam Ellwanger Ph.D.: Writing, Editing, Teaching, Reading.
What skills stand out on English As A Second Language Teacher resumes?
Adam Ellwanger Ph.D.: When applying to be an instructor of English, your resume itself must be clean and totally without error. If you can't produce impeccable writing, why should your prospective employers believe that you can teach others to do so? A clean, complete, well-formatted resume reflects that you are a strong writer and editor, and these are critical skills. Of course, if you want to be an English instructor, some experience as a teacher is strongly preferred -- even if that is in informal contexts (e.g., leading training sessions at a previous place of employment or serving as a teaching assistant in graduate school).
What soft skills should all English As A Second Language Teachers possess?
Adam Ellwanger Ph.D.: It is also important that you speak well -- that you are a good conversationalist. People in education want to hire people who will be collegial co-workers and have a dynamic classroom presence.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the English As A Second Language Teacher job market given the pandemic?
John Norton Ph.D.: A need to communicate clearly and creatively through different medium
What technical skills for an English As A Second Language Teacher stand out to employers?
John Norton Ph.D.: - clear and creative communication
- advanced problem solving
- teamwork
How have salaries changed over time for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Jessica Early Ph.D.: In many parts of the country, like Arizona, teacher salaries have not grown at a rate to support an increased cost of living, which has led to a sever teaching shortage and high turnover rates. Teachers continue to be asked to do more, to juggle more, and are paid less. One of the things I hope this past year has shown is just how integral teachers and schools are to the health, well-being, and advancement of our communities and the work they do needs to be supported.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the English As A Second Language Teacher job market given the pandemic?
Jessica Early Ph.D.: In the coming years, there will be more need than ever for well-trained teachers in all levels and aspects of schools. There will also be a need to support partnerships with community organizations, family outreach, libraries, and extra-curricular kinds of support to support the academic and social emotion needs of children and their families. There will also be great need for highly skilled teachers in supporting students in digital forms of literacy, writing, and reading practices.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Jessica Early Ph.D.: Teachers who receive their reading endorsement as well as training in the teaching of writing through local sites of the National Writing Project, like the Central Arizona Writing Project at ASU put themselves at an advantage. Also, courses that prepare teachers in culturally sustaining teaching practices and digital literacies will help them meet the needs of diverse student populations and ever-evolving communication tools.
Rebecca Babcock
William and Ordelle Watts ProfessorThe University of Texas Permian Basin
Department of Literature and Language
What's a good job out of college for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Rebecca Babcock: All people seeking to enter a career should plan on doing an internship in that business. I believe an internship is the best way to get started in any career. If an internship is not available consider an apprenticeship, volunteering, or job shadowing. Get yourself in there and show how valuable you are.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on English As A Second Language Teachers?
Rebecca Babcock: Post-pandemic, people will have to be more flexible with their work plans and what they expect out of a job.
What will help English As A Second Language Teachers increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Babcock: Networking is always key. Especially for those working for themselves...the more people you know...the more contacts you have...the more jobs you will get. I am talking about real networking, not social networking. This means talk to people, get to know them, become friends or at least acquaintances with people in the industry you want to enter.
How have salaries changed over time for English As A Second Language Teachers?
John Rieder: I can't speak to this with any kind of certainty. It really does vary district by district. In the last few years prior to the pandemic, our union routinely negotiated small but notable salary increases above COLA for all fulltime and part-time faculty.
What English As A Second Language Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.: Most important advice: Take initiative and be productive.
Find practical ways to use skills even if unpaid. Volunteer work is good. Use language skills. Technology skills. Exploit technology skills around the area of interest. If you want to be a teacher find out what software they are using today; what research skills are they utilize. Make sure you log your activities during the gap year especially those that relate to the area in which you want to work. If you want to go into finance, and you're working at a lawn service, understand and learn the business model and the accounting. If you're working at Starbucks (or in any commercial environment), get a chance to do inventories, learn about the ordering process and sources and suppliers for those orders; and how people are scheduled for work. All of that is relevant experience for business.
The CFO and recruiter for Keystone Staffing Solutions emphasized having evidence in your resume of of being productive during the gap time, no matter if it's one, two or three years. Evidence of being productive is what recruiters want to see on your resume: He stresses: "What did you do to expand your knowledge and skills not only in your selected area but beyond. BEING PRODUCTIVE for yourself proves to be an indicator of how productive you will be for me."
Still on gap year. How to go about it? Use teachers, friends, family, anyone in the field or related to it to provide guidance, insight, suggestions. This can lead to projects or experience that will help in learning and growth.
What experience really stands out on English As A Second Language Teacher resumes?
Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.: All of us took language classes. Recruiters want to know how you are able to use the language; not how many years you studied or if you majored or minored, but can you sustain an intelligent conversation with a speaker in that language. Practical use, real life. Study abroad highly recommended. However, you need to differentiate between going abroad to party versus expanding your language and cultural skills.
Globalization--even among small farmers, small businesses--and population migrations make speaking a foreign language a substantial advantage in the job market, across fields, throughout the U.S. and abroad. Spanish, in particular, is highly sought after not only for companies/organizations with international business or connections, but also those operating only in the U.S. I have for years and still receive regular requests from legal, medical, corporate, non-profit organizations for written or in-person translations because they do not have enough people on site with this skill. These are well-paid.
Jobs of the future that we cannot even imagine now will benefit from and require the language and cultural skills that perspective employees can provide. Without sounding crass, and speaking specifically about Spanish, studies have shown that when 2 applicants with similar resumes apply for the same job, with the only difference being ability to speak Spanish, the applicant with Spanish-language skills will get the job the overwhelming majority of times and will be in the position to demand a higher salary, than the one who does not. Just a fact.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for English As A Second Language Teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.: New Technologies:
Be on top of all sharing apps; by the time someone claims which to know, new ones will be available so you must be current. Find out what businesses or fields of interest are using. Linkedin is broadly used. Keystone Staffing Solutions CFO stresses: "No matter what you are doing--gap year or full-time job, spend 2 to 3 hours a day on-line, expanding your knowledge of apps major organizations in your field and beyond are using."
Communication Skills:
English Degree: Your degree enables development/expertise in the what are the essential skills in so many professions and businesses: the ability to write critically, be persuasive, and communicate with clarity. Write papers or articles and submit to publications. Start blogs and share ideas with people in your similar situation. Encourage professionals to participate and add advice.
If speaking in public is difficult, take courses. Afraid? Practice starting with children by volunteering or offering free classes for kids. Work up to older children then adults. Build confidence and skill. But importantly, don't underestimate the value of this ability.
What technical skills for an English As A Second Language Teacher stand out to employers?
Leticia Pérez Alonso Ph.D.: In the past some employers appeared to be attracted to candidates who were familiar with online or distant education. Given the changing face of the academia, especially over the last year, I believe that skills to work remotely will be especially taken into consideration when hiring instructors of English language, education and literature. As I see it, an ability to develop online courses through platforms such as Canvas, Moodle or Blackboard stand out to employers of the educational sector. Along these lines, experience with video communications technologies such as Zoom will be a plus when deciding to hire an online or distance English teacher.
Additionally, specializations in English literature appear to have dropped, yet positions in rhetoric and composition are still in demand. Therefore, those English majors interested in literature might want to diversify their curriculum and receive training in areas such as technical and professional writing. They might also be interested in expanding their knowledge in second language acquisition or pedagogy to teach English to foreign speakers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the English As A Second Language Teacher job market given the pandemic?
Leticia Pérez Alonso Ph.D.: In the sector of English instruction positions that will probably be in demand include the following: high, middle or elementary school English teacher, ESL/TESOL teacher and a variety of tutoring or instructional opportunities ranging from composition, professional or creative writing. As a result of the pandemic, it is likely that there is an increase in online distance teaching positions. Specializations in bilingual or adult education might also play a central role in the field of English teaching, given the sociocultural needs of a population characterized by its diversity.
How have salaries changed over time for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Leticia Pérez Alonso Ph.D.: With the passage of time, my impression is that salaries have gradually increased in the academic field, but not in a manner that have adjusted to living expenses today. Salaries also vary depending on the position and the state. For instance, an English teacher of secondary education in a large metropolis is likely to receive a higher remuneration than one who performs the same activity in a less populated area.
Dr. Andrea Burrows
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Professor, Science Education, School of Teacher EducationUniversity of Wyoming
College of Education
How do you envision technology impacting English As A Second Language Teachers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Andrea Burrows: The definition of technology can be a tricky one; for example, see a newly published article by Ellis et al. (2020) in CITE Journal Science. The authors explore technology perspectives relating to vocational education, instructional technology, computing, and practitioners of science, mathematics, and engineering. In all of these spaces, technology has and continues to be important to education, and in the next five years, it has the potential to dramatically impact the field. It is important for the educational community to understand what technology is and how it is being assessed for effectiveness before making technology decisions and deciding if it has an impact or not.
Dr. Isabel Baca Ph.D.
Professor of English in Rhetoric and Writing StudiesThe University of Texas at El Paso
English Department
What will help English As A Second Language Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Isabel Baca Ph.D.: Knowing how to use technology effectively and efficiently will help people in my field increase their earning potential. As stated above, knowing how to communicate well through different means will be very important. Composing print and digital texts, being strong in problem-solving and critical thinking, knowing how to work well with others, and using technology to convey messages effectively and efficiently will contribute to their earning potential. More knowledge on user experience will contribute as well.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Dr. Isabel Baca Ph.D.: The courses that will have the biggest impact on job prospects are technology and communication courses. Using different hardware, software, and technological platforms effectively and efficiently to communicate will be crucial in the workplace. Knowing how to use different social media is a must. Courses that allow students to learn and practice problem-solving and critical thinking will make them stronger job candidates. I also believe that having strong writing, speaking, and interpersonal communication skills will still be important in the workplace. Writing, of course, now entails composing multimodal texts/digital texts. Teamwork, knowing how to work with others, will still be important too.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on English As A Second Language Teachers?
Dr. Isabel Baca Ph.D.: I believe the enduring impact of the pandemic on graduates will be on their use of technology. We have become accustomed to meeting online now. We conduct meetings, interviews, and conferences online, and this format may not go away anytime soon. The face-to-face interactions may not be the "normal" setting anymore.
What's a good job out of college for English As A Second Language Teachers?
Lisa Smith Ph.D.: Most undergraduate English programs have several specializations to choose from. Thus, if a graduate has completed the teaching track for an English degree, a teaching position is the desired position out of college. Similarly, technical writing specializations will position one to find a job as a technical writer either in-house for a large corporation or with a technical writing company. For those who graduate with a specialization in literature, their skills can be applied to many different entry-level jobs. For example, English graduates place well in government intelligence jobs, market research companies, editing/publishing jobs, jobs in law offices, and human resources positions. Any job that utilizes communication skills and values critical thinking and research training will be a landing place for English graduates.
What will help English As A Second Language Teachers increase their earning potential?
Lisa Smith Ph.D.: Graduates holding an English degree can increase their earning potential in several ways. First, minoring in a related field that will expand job opportunities such as business, science, or creative writing will broaden the skill set new graduates bring to the table. Taking advantage of internship opportunities while in college will also strengthen a resume, especially if a student has completed internships in different fields. Once you are working in the field, an English graduate should play to their strengths in the workplace, which usually include effective communication and connecting with others. Developing these people-related skills will enable English graduates to increase their earning potential by gravitating toward management opportunities.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on English As A Second Language Teachers?
Lisa Smith Ph.D.: Given the unique nature of the coronavirus pandemic, it is difficult to say with certainty exactly what the impact will be on graduates in any field of study, English included. However, the obvious trend right now toward less in-person work interactions points to opportunities for graduates with English degrees. Since undergraduate English programs emphasize critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to empathize with and understand other perspectives, graduates with an English degree will be well-positioned to work as team members, managers, and communicators in many fields. The breadth of the skills developed by English majors means that even if one industry is impacted by the pandemic or other factors, English graduates can pivot and look for opportunities in many other fields. For those reasons, I believe those who hold English undergraduate degrees and have developed their communication and interpersonal skills specifically through these programs will have opportunities in many fields despite the pandemic.