any ESL Teachers ?

Just wondering what teaching ESL is like..

I was told that there are several ESL positions open in Brentwood and that I would probably qualify since Im fluent in SPanish..this one teacher actually told me to speak to the Principal that same day, (but im not in a position to accept a f/t job right now)...

Aside from the requirements (if you happen to know them)
Im curious about what a day to day is like for an ESL teacher..
Ive subbed for many areas (ABA room, Reading, Resource room, etc...)

How many kids per group? does the group change every period, or is it the same students all daY?
Do they range in their English speaking capabilities, is there another adult in the room (TA, etc)...
I cant imagine that this doesnt require a Bilingual extension at the least...

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

I teach ESL and my colleague used to work in Brentwood, so I can ask her these specific questions for you if you would like.

At my schools, ESL is divided between three proficiency levels (beginning, intermediate, advanced) and two grade levels (Junior HIgh or High School). The classes meet for a mandated amount of time each day. In my school ESL is its own content area, we don't do push in or pull out, we are our own class. Most levels have a teaching assistant, but it depends on the number of students in the class and the ability level. Class sizes range from 8 to 30, however, we have a large ESL program so this may not be typical of other schools. I am a Spanish speaker as well, however, I teach in English 99% of the time (only every once in a while translating a word or making a connection for a student). ESL has its own licensature procedures, check out the NYSED website to see what you want have to do to get certified.

I teach Spanish as well as ESL, and while I love Spanish as well, teaching ESL is the most rewarding experience I have had in my career. I absolutely adore being an ESL teacher.

Good luck!

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

Wow! Thanks for all that info! Id love to know more about BW's ESL program, that would be great. and I will look into the requirements.

Thanks again! you sound like an amazing teacher !

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

I used to advise would-be teachers on the teaching requirements...

What do you have certification in?
How many undergraduate credits do you have in a foreign language?

Most programs require at least 12 credits of a language other than english at the undergrad level, plus the foundations of ed, human development, literacy development, tesol pedagogy, content-based language and literacy development, general linguisitics, phonetics, syntax, phonology, sociolinguistics, and a language structure course.

You may be able to CLEP out of the 2 years of the foreign language, but you are looking at probably another 36 credits and TESOL student teaching. If you do Dowling again they may transfer in some of the ed classes from your initial certification, but I'm not sure if they offer TESOL. Stony Brook does have TESOL and would be a cheaper option, but they are more strict about the number of credits and may require you to get an additional undergraduate degree.

As far as I know, they would only want teachers certified in TESOL, though for all positions in Brentwood they do ask for fluency in Spanish to help with the parents who are not english speakers so being fluent would help in getting a job in whatever you are certified in. Even if you don't pursue the TESOL cert. you may want to take the CLEP exam in Spanish if you don't have undergrad Spanish credits, just to prove your level of understanding.

Message edited 4/18/2007 12:04:07 PM.

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

I am an Elementary ESL teacher in a district that doesn't have an incredibly huge ESL population. I have a pullout program and my classes are arranged according to the students' schedules. That means I have different grades with different levels. I have between 4 and 8 kids in a pull out program. I LOVE my job and teaching ESL.

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

nov04bride.

I actually have taken the CLep in SPanish, to complete requirements for my Grad degree.

yikes, a lot to take into consideration, but thanks for all that info !

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

I teach ESL, but not in the US.

I find it exhausting. I enjoy it so much, but it is really tiring at times. It is full on.

I have a mix of students- Brasilian, Korean, Japanese, and Colombian mainly. I speak German and English. I get thru to them, but at the end of some days I can be so exhausted.

I think it is really different where I teach (Australia). They dont have integrated classrooms as much as they do in the US. To get a visa in Australia you have to be able to have a certain grasp of the English language. Th situation is different in the US as far as I know.

I really enjoy meeting people from other cultures. That is the best part.

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

Posted by anna

Wow! Thanks for all that info! Id love to know more about BW's ESL program, that would be great. and I will look into the requirements.

Thanks again! you sound like an amazing teacher !

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

Re: any ESL Teachers ?

Re: any ESL Teachers ?