What It Takes To Teach ESL In 2025
Have you ever wondered what it takes to teach ESL? More often than not, we see applications citing ‘vast experience’ in education with no idea what kind of experience ESL schools are looking for.
Reach To Teach staff have all taught in classrooms in Asia, so we know what we’re looking for in interviews. Your first interview with us will focus on these topics in numerous ways.
Our staff are trained to look for answers that touch on these key topics that ESL teachers should know about teaching abroad. Here are 15 ways we focus on your interviews to prepare you for teaching abroad.
Cultural Sensitivity
One of the top things we’re looking for in interviews is your understanding of cultural differences. Life in Asia will not be like what you what you are accustomed to back home. We need to know that you are able to handle these differences with compassion and understanding, especially in your classroom.
Be aware of the cultural backgrounds and experiences of your students. Different cultures have distinct communication styles, learning preferences, and societal norms. Being sensitive to these differences can help create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
Finally, remember that it’s NOT your job to teach your students your point of view. You’re teaching them English. Many teachers are shocked to learn that certain topics in the classrooms should be avoided. Make sure you know what these obstacles are in advance.
Language Proficiency Levels
Time and again we meet teachers who don’t understand language proficiency levels despite this being a familiar topic in TEFL courses. You need to understand the difference between zero beginners and Familiarize yourself with language proficiency levels such as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines. This will help you understand your students’ language abilities and tailor your lessons accordingly.
Effective Lesson Planning
Develop well-structured lesson plans that include a variety of activities to engage different learning styles. Incorporate listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities to address all language skills. Include opportunities for group work, pair work, and individual tasks.
At the very least, if you don’t have much experience with lesson planning, our staff will be looking at other ways to gauge how well you can plan ahead.
Clear Instructions
Practice giving clear and concise instructions. This is crucial for ESL students who may have varying levels of language comprehension. Use visual aids, gestures, and simple language to help convey your message effectively.
We want you to know that when you’re interviewing with us, we’re looking for teachers that speak in clear, concise tones and that know how to speak in simple terms.
Student-Centered Approach
Foster a student-centered classroom where students actively participate in their learning. Encourage them to express their thoughts and opinions, and design activities that promote critical thinking and problem-solving.
Language Input
Teaching ESL isn’t just about you being in front of the classroom. Find ways to expose your students to different kinds of language input. The easiest way to do this in your classroom is by using a variety of materials such as news articles, videos, podcasts, and real-life scenarios to expose students to natural language usage.
Error Correction
Schools in Asia WANT YOU to correct students when they make mistakes. This is one of the biggest challenges we see with teachers as many are reluctant to correct their students when they are wrong. In Asia, it’s important and expected that students are corrected when they say something wrong. You can balance corrections by providing constructive feedback that helps students improve without discouraging them. Another technique that helps students learn from their mistakes is to encourage self-correction and peer-correction as well.
Cater to Different Learning Styles
Recognize that students have diverse learning styles and preferences. Some students may learn better through visual aids, while others might prefer hands-on activities or verbal explanations. In Asia, you expect classes that have all students learning at the same age and same level of proficiency. In reality, it’s always mixed.
Cognizance of Language Interference
Understand that students’ native languages may influence their English pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. The easiest way to understand this concept is by recognized, for example, that sentence patterns in Asia are often backwards in English. Thus it’s natural for students to build sentence patterns like they would in their native langage. Be prepared to address common issues related to language interference.
Assessment and Evaluation
It’s important to assess your students’ abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to track improvement and adjust your teaching accordingly. Use a mix of formative and summative assessments to gauge student progress.
Cultural References
Be aware of cultural references and idiomatic expressions that might be confusing to ESL learners. Explain these when necessary to help students understand the context. Idioms, for example, in any language are difficult to learn because they don’t translate into something meaningful in another language.
Patience and Empathy
ESL learners may take more time to process and respond in English. Exercise patience and empathy, and create a supportive atmosphere where students feel comfortable practicing and making mistakes.
Professional Development
Stay updated with the latest teaching methodologies, resources, and technology for ESL instruction. Attend workshops, conferences, and online courses to enhance your teaching skills.
Individualization and What It Takes To Teach ESL
Recognize the individual needs and goals of each student. Tailor your instruction to accommodate different learning paces and objectives.
Language Learning Strategies
Familiarize yourself with various language learning strategies and help students develop effective study habits both inside and outside the classroom.
Remember that being an ESL teacher is not just about teaching language; it’s about facilitating cross-cultural communication and empowering students to succeed in a globalized world.
After reading our article, we’d recommend taking a closer look at your CV and cover letter to ensure you’re touching on these points with your application.
We look forward to receiving your application, answering any questions you might have about the topics mentioned above, and guiding you through your job interviews and departure for Asia.
Let’s make 2025 YOUR YEAR together.
You might be interested in:
- 4 Rookie Teaching Mistakes To Watch Out For
- 10 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Teaching Abroad
- How Does Teaching ESL Help You In Life?
