London is no less than a Mecca for English language learners. Every year thousands of students from different European nations and even from other parts of the world come over to London to learn English. All this taken together interprets into increased opportunities for TESOL jobs in London .
London presents immense prospects for TESOL teachers in the form of jobs at commercial language schools, advanced education colleges and in language centers. Among the other prospective TESOL jobs in London - training teachers for TESOL courses, writing books and preparing teaching materials for TESOL curriculums, giving private tuitions to non-English students are all related to the teaching field. Setting question papers and marking or evaluating the learners are the other job responsibilities of the TESOL teachers. (Guiding summer courses, taking up jobs as interpreters and as translators are the other responsibilities one can assume after the completion of TESOL courses).
TESOL jobs in London schools are of following types:
- The first type is a permanent job, where the employer guarantees a fixed salary to the employee and that irrespective of the working hours. These jobs also guarantee you full benefits.
- The second type is part-time contract, where as an employee you will be paid on an hourly basis. These jobs do not guarantee the fringe benefits.
- The third type is referred to as a cash-in-hand job and it promises instant payment against imparting English lessons. Non-EU citizens are usually employed on this term as it helps the employer avoid unnecessary hassles.
TESOL curriculums entirely depend on the 'purpose' why students enroll in English learning courses, but the basic needs for TESOL jobs in London are teaching non-English speaking learners to speak, read and write English. In case of advanced learners, this comes to honing their speaking and writing skills.
The teachers normally have small groups, consisting of not more than twelve students to lead. Working hours do vary and some TESOL jobs in London even require the teachers to engage in evening and weekend work. Speaking of course plans, teachers use different teaching aids and methods to instruct students. Textbooks, Audio and video tapes, computers, conducting question-answer sessions, are some of the effective means of teaching the students. However, teaching is not limited to classroom activities only but involves teachers in other activities like engaging in sports, social and cultural activities, educational tours, etc.
TESOL jobs in London and in other areas of UK hold promises for hefty pay packets. Starting salaries for full-time teachers are something around £12,000 a year. This is certainly a lucrative offer when you consider other European nations. College teachers in UK earn around £16,030 to £35,460 a year. In case of University teachers and teachers of colleges of higher education, the salary is something between £17,793 and £36,355. As a director of studies in commercial language school in UK, you can earn about £24,000 or more a year.
Entry qualifications for TESOL jobs in London necessitate a TESOL qualification along with teaching qualifications. Here it will be worthwhile to mention that TESOL jobs in London give preference to the externally validated Cambridge CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL. Higher qualifications like DELTA (Diploma in Language Teaching to Adults) and the Trinity Licentiate Diploma in TESOL promise you better prospects.
The article 'Inductive and Deductive approach in TESOL & Teacher's Role' deals with two most practiced teaching approaches in TESOL and defines the role of a ESOL/EFL instructor.