What does an esl instructor do?
An ESL instructor is responsible for teaching the English language, usually to non-native speakers, discussing all the disciplines of the English language, both written and verbal, and in some cases, even its nature and history. ESL instructors create a comprehensive lesson plan for the English language learners, prepare learning materials, and conduct individual and group activities to test the learners' knowledge and progress. They also evaluate the learners' performance by identifying areas of improvement and adjust teaching strategies to address each learner's difficulties and maintain an engaging classroom environment.
Esl instructor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real esl instructor resumes:
- Specialize in assisting low level learners using creative and modern teaching strategies to achieve unprecedent EFL movements.
- Supervise and manage class; facilitate and teach conversational Tagalog including cultural aspects.
- Prepare lesson plans according to establish syllabus and record student performance and submit IRS.
- Work with faculty members on a special committee to enhance the EFL writing program.
- Mentore a number of ESL students, create custom at-home practice material to supplement tutoring session work.
- Develop course syllabus, curriculum and instruction materials.
- Develop and design college-like content-base history and literature curricula for intermediate level ESL students.
- Work to ensure successful implementation of history and civic engagement in the citizenship department.
- Facilitate courses in composition and style and promote cultural exchange using American literature and music.
- Design and execute individualized instruction in English grammar, pronunciation, conversation and writing at all levels.
- Stress grammar, syntax, pronunciation, and enunciation to improve international communication within large corporate frameworks.
- Select appropriate language forms for the level of formality require to fulfill basic courtesy functions in face-to-face conversations.
- Instruct international students in writing academic essays, developing effective study habits, conducting research, and listening/speaking skills.
- Prepare students for TOEFL exam and proctore exam.
- Help students develop test taking skills for standardize exams such as TOEFL.
Esl instructor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of ESL Instructors are proficient in Grammar, Classroom Management, and Language. They’re also known for soft skills such as Critical-thinking skills, Interpersonal skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of ESL Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Grammar, 13%
Designed and executed individualized instruction in English grammar, pronunciation, conversation and writing at all levels.
- Classroom Management, 12%
Provide classroom management, organization, instruction, and supervision for Auburn Global students in university classroom settings.
- Language, 10%
Evaluated and designed additional materials to enrich instruction using instructional design techniques to assess and aid cooperative language acquisition.
- English Language, 9%
Worked with local Bogota based employees of multinational corporations to further develop their English language communication and presentation skills.
- Vocabulary, 7%
Integrated core level curriculum with a guided methodology of lecture/laboratory work, vocabulary building and class discussion.
- Kids, 6%
Tutored kids ranging from 1st grade to 10th grade three days a week.
Most esl instructors use their skills in "grammar," "classroom management," and "language" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential esl instructor responsibilities here:
Critical-thinking skills. One of the key soft skills for an esl instructor to have is critical-thinking skills. You can see how this relates to what esl instructors do because "to conduct original research and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need to analyze information logically." Additionally, an esl instructor resume shows how esl instructors use critical-thinking skills: "administered weekly self-created lessons involving reading, writing, grammar and critical-thinking skills for adult students. "
Interpersonal skills. Many esl instructor duties rely on interpersonal skills. "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees.," so an esl instructor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways esl instructor responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "fostered growth in basic interpersonal communication skills and cognitive academic language proficiency. "
Speaking skills. esl instructors are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to esl instructor responsibilities, because "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." An esl instructor resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "participate and once presented in waesol professional development. "
Writing skills. esl instructor responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." This resume example shows what esl instructors do with writing skills on a typical day: "guided students in reviewing the necessary skills for improving communication, listening, writing, and standardized test preparation. "
Resourcefulness. A commonly-found skill in esl instructor job descriptions, "resourcefulness" is essential to what esl instructors do. Esl instructor responsibilities rely on this skill because "postsecondary teachers must be able to present information in a way that students will understand." You can also see how esl instructor duties rely on resourcefulness in this resume example: "demonstrated resourcefulness and developed ingenuity; overcame language barriers and trying working environments. "
The three companies that hire the most esl instructors are:
- Morgan Community College3 esl instructors jobs
- Aims Community College3 esl instructors jobs
- Boston Public Schools3 esl instructors jobs
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Compare different esl instructors
Esl instructor vs. French teacher
A french teacher specializes in teaching the french language among students. Although the extent of their responsibilities usually depends on their institution or company of employment, it usually includes preparing lessons and coursework plans, presenting audio and visual learning materials, organizing individual and group activities, administering examinations, grading quizzes and tests, and assisting students as necessary. Moreover, as a french teacher, it is essential to monitor the students' progress while maintaining a healthy and effective learning environment for everyone.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, esl instructor responsibilities require skills like "english language," "vocabulary," "kids," and "math." Meanwhile a typical french teacher has skills in areas such as "foreign language," "language curriculum," "exam," and "iv." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
French teachers tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $50,105. In contrast, esl instructors make the biggest average salary, $55,425, in the retail industry.The education levels that french teachers earn slightly differ from esl instructors. In particular, french teachers are 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an esl instructor. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Esl instructor vs. Language teacher
Language teachers primarily impart knowledge on multidimensional language through classes and activities. The teachers create conditions and develop activities allowing students to practice what they learned with significance. They immerse students in situational learning roles to write, read, converse, and learn different languages. Also, they are considered instrumental in establishing a supportive and positive learning environment. The teachers are also expected to be communicative and well-versed in the language/s they are teaching to their students.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, esl instructor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "vocabulary," "kids," "math," and "study." Meanwhile, a language teacher has duties that require skills in areas such as "mandarin," "esl," "language curriculum," and "foreign language." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, language teachers earn a lower salary than esl instructors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, language teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $50,678. Whereas esl instructors have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $55,425.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Language teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than esl instructors. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for esl instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Rebecca Sarver
Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College
Esl instructor vs. Spanish teacher
A Spanish teacher is responsible for teaching the Spanish language, including its history and culture, both written and conversational. Spanish teachers follow the curriculum, depending on the students' expertise level and evaluate their progress through oral and written assessments. A Spanish teacher must develop effective lesson plans, focusing on Spanish grammar and composition, identifying students' improvement areas to adjust lesson outlines. Spanish teachers must have excellent knowledge and expertise with the Spanish language and engaging activities to further students' development.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from esl instructor resumes include skills like "grammar," "english language," "vocabulary," and "kids," whereas a spanish teacher is more likely to list skills in "spanish language," "iv," "student achievement," and "k-12. "
Spanish teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $53,431. On the other hand, esl instructors are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $55,425.Most spanish teachers achieve a similar degree level compared to esl instructors. For example, they're 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Esl instructor vs. Adjunct faculty
Adjunct faculty is the collective term for adjunct professors or lecturers. The adjunct faculty teaches students based on the limited-term of their contract. Oftentimes, they teach preparatory or introductory courses by semester arrangement for the entire academic year. Most of them are employed in higher education. Unlike regular professors, adjunct faculty do not have benefits and are not required to be present in meetings. They can work as either a contract professor or a part-time professor.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between esl instructors and adjunct faculties, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an esl instructor might have more use for skills like "grammar," "language," "english language," and "vocabulary." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of adjunct faculties require skills like "philosophy," "course syllabus," "course content," and "mathematics. "
In general, adjunct faculties earn the most working in the government industry, with an average salary of $115,189. The highest-paying industry for an esl instructor is the retail industry.In general, adjunct faculties hold higher degree levels compared to esl instructors. Adjunct faculties are 8.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 7.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of esl instructor
Updated January 8, 2025
