Job Discussion Forums

[cgage]

I have a BA in art, an MLS in library administration, and a Tennessee teachers license with an endorsement in ESL k-12. I have seven years of experiance in public schools as an ESL teacher. The problem is that the Tennessee school system has become problematic. No more tenure soon. Unions- forget about it.
Where are there a strong demands for ESL teachers in the US? It may sound like a dumb question but I have to do some research.
Thanks in advance for your reply.

[chinagirl]

New York State, North Carolina, Virginia - check what states your license is reciprocal with. Those are three states I found lots of interviews in when I was looking for a job several years ago, likely the Northeast and East coast in general will likely offer better opportunities. You may also want to check Washington State. Look for medium sized cities, as many immigrants and refugees settle where the housing is less expensive. You might be surprised to see how many ESL teachers work in places like Minnesota and Nebraska! Good luck!

[fmlaugust]

Texas has several opening especially HISD in Houston. They are needing teaching with ESL certification.

[Eagle Eyes]

If you enjoy finding a needle in a haystack or if you really enjoy going on a wild goose chase to get a job then look for an EFL teaching job in North America. Good luck in your search!

[nomad soul]

[santi84]

[Eagle Eyes]

All quiet in the North American EFL job front....a dead silence speaks mouths of words...we have a better chance of winning the lottery!

[lamoore]

Currently, I'm teaching with inlingua (yes, lower-case) in Costa Rica, but I taught ESL in the USA several times, and the jobs weren't extremely difficult to obtain. Granted, three of them were in California, and it was before the economy tanked, but, OP, try this:

Find out what ESL institutions are on your local university/college campuses and/or connected with your local school districts. I taught my first ESL class (TOEFL prep) as an undergrad in a Louisiana university. In California, I taught for years with American Language Institute on the campus of CSULB, and for a few years with Santa Ana College's ESL division. My ESL teaching gigs with Long Beach Unified School District led to other teaching positions with the district over the years. I actually draw a dribble of retirement from them.

My educational background? I have a BA in English (not Ed.), and am a thesis short of a Masters (in theatre-speech). Quirkily, I had to get a weekend TEFL certificate (Bridge-Linguatec in Denver) to pursue teaching for cacahuates in CR.

So, I'd say start there. Keep in mind that I got into the groove before online search engines were commonplace. In fact, my very first email address was obtained through the Santa Ana College ESL program.

[Eagle Eyes]

Yes there were many positions in ESL available throughout North America in 80's and even as late as the 90's....but things have changed a lot since then.....simply put TEFL is not a career option anymore especially in the US. One is likely to make more money working at Mac Donalds flipping burgers for a living or working as a janitor!

[newdayrising]

I don't know anything about public schools...But I do know that in the Boston area it is certainly possible to find $20/hr Craigslist jobs with a CELTA and a little bit of experience. I have a feeling these jobs were easier to get before the recession. It took me like 6 months of underemployment and tutoring/subbing gigs before I found something sort of regular and full-time. These days there are a lot of applicants with overseas experience and masters degrees you have to compete against. But there are tons of schools in Boston and turnover is always brisk in our industry.

[denise]

There are full-time (with benefits) university jobs in Oregon for appropriately qualified candidates--MA plus relevant experience.

d

[Solar Strength]