Teacher Discussion Forums

Hello! I'm new to these forums - this is my first post.

I am quitting my administrative job in mid-January and relocating to my hometown with the hope of pursuing a job in adult ESOL education. (as an aside, I will be staying with my mother temporarily and have built up enough savings to cover myself for quite awhile, including health insurance.)

A little bit about my background: I have an MA in applied linguistics, extensive experience (over ten years) as a volunteer with adult literacy programs (as a one-on-one and small group tutor, conversation group leader, assessor and administrator/scorer for the REEP writing assessment.) I love the field and even though I hear a lot about drawbacks, I'm going to go for it.

My question is - while I have all of this volunteer experience, I have very little formal classroom experience. Does anyone have any advice on how this would figure into my search? My plan is to volunteer again after I move so that I can keep myself involved, but I would love to teach classes or work in assessment as a bona fide paid practictioner.

Also, I'm guessing that my best bet to start out would be in community based programs....that I would not yet be able to teach community college. Any thoughts there?

I appreciate the help and look forward to conversing more on this board. I've been a longtime Dave's visitor, but just never got around to joining the board.

Thanks very much!

Nice to have you join. Where is "home?" I think the answers to your question may vary depending on where you are going to be.

Home is western Massachusetts, USA. I love the area and am looking forward to being closer to family and friends. I'm a bit "locked" (but happily so) by location because my mother is elderly and I feel it's better to have a family member nearby. It's my choice.

Thanks very much!

You probably want to check on the adult schools and community colleges in your area. You should find out whether or not adult schools or community colleges handle the adult classes for immigrants, and what the requirements are. In California, most adult education is done by K-12 districts, but in San Francisco, it is done through the community college. The requirements to teach English as a Second Language at a community college are a Master's Degree in Teaching ESL, or a Master's in something related with some classes in teaching ESL (I think), or equivalent. The equivalency is something you have to apply for. My Master's degree was in Linguistics, but it was eons ago, before there were any in Teaching ESL. You might want to check to see if what you have is sufficient, or if it would be enough if you took a few courses along with your Applied Linguistics Masters. If things are the same in Massachusetts as in California, it might be relatively easy to get a part-time job, and relatively difficult to get a full-time one. Good luck in whatever you do.

Thanks! I believe Massachusetts is similar to California in that full-time jobs are harder to come by, but not impossible. I'm prepared to juggle some part time jobs if I need to, especially as I am starting out. I have found postings at community colleges, through the public schools' evening adult ed. programs and through community-based nonprofit organizations. Here, we have an agency funded by the state dept. of education that supports adult education teachers and they have provided a wealth of information. I'm also looking into joining TESOL and its local affiliate here. And I'm hoping my master's will be sufficient for the education credential....it's in applied linguistics with a focus on teaching adult ESL. So - fingers crossed!

Ah the focus should help you. Let us know how you make out.