America presents opportunities galore if you want to teach English as Second Language. Washington, D.C. area deserves a special mention. Washington D.C., being the capital city of the US, is a first in many spheres. Consequently, it is not to be left behind when it comes to English Language Programs.
Washington D.C. area has many renowned state-owned and private language institutes and schools, which are continuously on the look out for qualified instructors to teach English as second language. Washington, D.C., area also offers ample opportunities for providing private tuitions to non-English speaking residents of United States. These apart, about 50 special ESL programs (most of these being adult programs) are conducted in different parts of the metropolitan area where TEFL/TESL graduates are employed for teaching English as second language.
Teaching programs being conducted in Washington, D.C. area range from academic to non-academic and even vocational types. A good example of academic English is the English being taught in schools/colleges as part of course curriculum. Business English classes can be classified both as non-academic and vocational programs. Another illustration of non-academic English program is a course specially meant for immigrants (actually a good command over English assures the émigrés American citizenship). Special ESL programs intended for prisoners are also held in the Washington area.
Teaching learners language basics such as grammar and vocabulary so that they are able to communicate with others and write correct English are beyond any doubt the chief aims of TESL programs. However, the variety of ESL courses being offered in Washington demand expertise and knowledge of fields other than plain language skills. Thus, as a teacher, teaching English to immigrants, you need to aid their bid to win American citizenship by passing on awareness and information on American history and culture. A good conception of the new settlers’ culture and practices will enable you assist them overcome or put up with the cultural difference, thereby helping them attain their goal.
Teaching English at the various ELP venues in Washington, D.C., require much more than the fundamental duties of an average English language teacher. Actually, the exclusive courses call for special attention from the language instructors and that starting from planning the lessons or course material to the approach they adopt to evaluation of the progress of students.
Since most TESL programs in Washington D.C. aim training the entire populace in English (right from the grass-root level to the upper echelons of the society), ESL teachers are required to work in varied settings – at community schools and colleges, community-based organization sites, private educational institutions, workplace sites, etc.
Securing a teaching job, teaching English as second language in Washington, D.C. area, is certainly not a child’s play. You need to have some special qualification like a certificate in TESOL. A Master's degree (say M.Ed. TESOL, M.A. or M.S. in Linguistics, M.A. in English with emphasis in ESL, M.A.T. with emphasis in TESOL) is deemed an additional qualification, no wonder that it presents diverse employment opportunities for the candidate. Practical training and experience broaden the scope of TESOL graduates. Therefore, TESL aspirants are advised to try tutoring and volunteer teaching in adult camps and community sites before applying for teaching jobs.
Other than the teaching assignments, TESL candidates are also appointed as administrators and course designers (researching, writing, compiling and editing study materials). Washington metropolitan area has many advisory boards and committees supporting ESL programs. Deserving and experienced TESLs are also nominated to these positions.
These are only to speak of ESL-related jobs and you too will admit that there seems no point in emphasizing that English language opens avenues for the most exciting and promising career opportunities, given the supremacy it commands in every field, the world over.
The article "Knowing What Are Authoring Tools In English Language Teaching Is Not Enough" deals with some effective authoring tools that ESL/EFL teachers can use in ELPs, proffering other necessary information.