"To become an ESL English teacher, where do I start?", "How is my English level eligible for an ESL English teacher position?", "What certificate do I need? Where can I apply for a job?"… These are probably the questions that you - a person who is planning to become an ESL teacher - need to be answered. The following article will help you answer these questions.
There are several important criteria about ESL teachers
- English ability
English capability is the most crucial factor in the journey of becoming an English teacher as well as an ESL teacher. For native speakers, this criterion can be easily met when English is your native language. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Accurate pronunciation skill
- Speaking skill: Teachers need to own fluent communication as well as the ability to explain ESL-related matters fluently
- Listening - reading skills
- Writing skill: Teachers need to master the correct method of writing academic English
Qualifications related to teaching English and ESL
To teach ESL at English schools and centers in Vietnam, you need to possess at least a bachelor's degree related to English language teaching.
Moreover, in Vietnam, Tesol certification is compulsory for English teachers. Therefore, if you want to work as an English teacher at centers and schools, you must have a Tesol Certificate.
Teaching knowledge/skills/methods
English proficiency and qualifications are necessary for you to become an English teacher. But that is not a condition to become a good teacher. An important criterion for an English teacher or ESl teacher is pedagogical skills and teaching competence.
Pedagogical skills here are not academic knowledge that you learn in university (how to prepare lesson plans, how to write articles, how to translate, ...). It is your understanding of the teaching methods the world is following:
- Learn vocabulary with TPR (Total Physical Response)
- Practice reflexes with TPRS (Teaching Proficiency Through Reading & Storytelling)
- Read books to increase vocabulary & grammar with Pleasure Reading
- Second Language Acquisition theory
- Teaching methods for children such as Montessori, Waldorf, etc.
Class management skills/Ability to arouse interest in learning English
A boring class does not bring excitement but also reduces students' ability to concentrate and absorb knowledge. Therefore, as an English teacher or an ESL teacher, you must learn to coordinate your class effectively like a conductor conducting an orchestra. Moreover, it is necessary to grasp psychology, understand and sympathize with the emotions of students.
Therefore, an English teacher needs to possess:
- High EQ
- Presentation skills, voice regulation, sense of humor
- The ability to explain clearly, easily understand a new language
- Turn the English learning process into an exciting activity (create games, activities, use music, movies, stories, etc.)
- Strengthen spirit, inspire motivation, and arouse the will of students to study
Classroom management skills can help ESL teachers control student learning activities smoothly
The above article has shared some fundamental criteria of a good ESL teacher. Hopefully, with these suggestions, you will have the best preparation for yourself on your career path to becoming an ESL teacher with excellent skills and knowledge.