With The Masters Degree In Spanish Needed To Succeed Grads Of Online Degree Programs Enter Exciting Careers
Of the over 300 million people who currently live in the U.S. today, over 450,000 immigrants were granted legal permanent residence each year. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the main nations of origin were Mexican (15%), Chinese (6%) and then from the Philippines (5%). You may note that none of these nationalities speak English as their first language.
Because of this, ESL (English as a Second Language) has become one of the fastest growing of the teaching specialties. Contrary to what some might think, it’s not a new profession, actually having established itself back in the 1930s.
Probably the most important thing anyone interested in ESL must realize is it’s more than just teaching how to read and write in English. ESL instructors must also teach these potential citizens many of the ways, history and rules of American citizenship. This makes them also the initial gateway for the naturalization of these folks.
Another thing one must realize about ESL is English is not necessarily the instructor’s first language either. A number of the best ESL teachers were once either immigrants themselves, or the children of immigrants. Because of this, probably the first thing one should do if interested in becoming one is to sit down with a college career counselor as well as one’s local state board of education regarding the regional requirements.
There are a number of ways one can get the necessary degree and/or certification to teach ESL. Still, the most comprehensive is to enroll in an online or on campus college, particularly one known for its language curses, such as Chinese, Spanish and English. Getting a four year degree in Education will also help with testing, consulting and things that happen in the classroom that aren’t in the syllabus.
While those who want to teach on the K-12 or vocational school level can get away with a bachelors degree in Education, those intending to teach on the college level should expect to go on for their masters degree and even their doctorate. As it happens, one should also consult with financial aid advisors as there are a number of programs that will help pay the way whatever type of institution one wants to teach in.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, K-12 salary ranges from $41,000 to $46,000. Salaries for other types of schools depend on type, experience and other factors. The Bureau states the rate of growth is good to excellent, meaning they expect the number of positions needed to be filled will increase by 20% in the next decade.
Yet one thing that will truly drive the growing need for ESL professionals is that every year the United States sees nearly a half million people gain legal residential status; many of whom want to become American citizens of good standing. Those with their English second language degree are critical in many different arenas and distance learning course programs can provide these professionals with the tools they need.
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