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DanWallace · Joined: 10 Oct 2013 Posts: 1 Location: Winston-Salem, NC

I am interested in finding an ESL teaching position that does not require a Master's degree in Education or in TESOL. I do have an MA in philosophy.

I have nine years of experience teaching ESL in New York City, from 2000 until 2008. In June of 2008, I relocated to Winston-Salem NC, where my elderly parents live. In New York, I worked for a private school from March of 2000 until September 11th, 2001 (the school was located in the World Trade Center); soon after, I started working at a not-for-profit community center in the South Bronx. Neither establishment required a Master's degree in Education or in TESOL. In New York City, these kinds of small schools that are not operated by the New York City Board of Education are quite common. I would like to find a similar institution within 100 miles of Winston-Salem, but almost all the schools I find when I do internet searches are government-run schools that require a Master's degree in either Education or TESOL.

I would greatly appreciate any input anyone could give me.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

You might take a look at eslgold.com, which lists the ESL schools and universities for each state. You'd have to check out those in your target area for openings/qualifications. However, I doubt you'll find the number of private language schools in NC as high as those in NY; the latter is way more ethnically and linguistically diverse.

Other suggestions:

- Join the state's TESOL affiliate for workshops and networking purposes, especially since 1) you're new to TESL in the area; and 2) it seems you haven't taught ESL in 5 years, which makes you appear out-of-touch with the ESL teaching community as a whole.

- Competition for these positions is likely to be stiff and the required qualifications inflexible. Consider beefing up your TESL credentials by returning to university for a related MA or at least a grad cert in TEFL/TESL. Also, if you don't have a teaching qualification such as a CELTA or SIT TESOL (you didn't mention in your post), then now may be the time to get one.