How to Develop a Career as a Teacher of English (With Qualifications and Pay)

A great method to share your appreciation of literature and language with pupils is to develop a career as an English teacher. These experts are crucial in educating youth and preparing them for the workforce. Finding out about the typical duties and requirements of English teachers might help you determine whether this is a career option that best fits your interests and skill set if you're thinking about becoming one. In this post, we outline the duties of English teachers, outline the requirements for becoming one, provide a list of essential competencies, and discuss the typical pay and employment prospects for this field of work.

An English teacher: what is she?

Specialized teachers who teach English in both public and private high schools are known as English teachers. Depending on their specialty, they may get English Teacher jobs with a single grade or teach classes in different stages.

While some institutions hire teachers to instruct students in a specific sort of writing or literature, such as professional writing or American literature, others expect English teachers to teach a comprehensive curriculum of grammar, literature, and writing skills. Depending on their qualifications and the needs of their pupils, English teachers may combine standard and advanced classes in their curricula.

What is the job of an English teacher?

Depending on their school, grade level, or area of expertise, English teachers may be responsible for the following duties-

• Create lesson plans depending on the demands of your kids' instruction and the county's curricular standards.

• Introduce pupils to the grammatical elements of the English language, including syntax, parts of speech, and punctuation.

• Encourage conversation about books, poetry, and short tales.

• Describe the literary devices and topics.

• Teach pupils how to write essays, book reports, and speeches, among other forms of writing.

• Make and grade evaluation resources, such as tests, book projects, and essay questions.

• Encourage extracurricular activities such as poetry clubs.

• Tutor pupils who require specific training

• Compile performance reports for the students.

• To build action plans for pupils, have meetings with parents and educational support personnel.

How to instruct English in a classroom

The following procedures are typically included in the prerequisites for becoming an English teacher, while each state has its own unique set:

• Obtain a degree in English language or English teaching

A bachelor's degree in English education or English education-related fields is the minimal educational prerequisite for English teachers. A lot of universities offer specialized degree programs in English education that include all the training required to begin teaching English in high school.

• Finish your fieldwork or teacher preparation course

The majority of education programs include a teacher-training course that prepares graduates to work as instructional assistants in classrooms. You might work as an assistant to an English teacher at a nearby high school if you study in English education.

• Obtain your teaching certification

You can sit for the test to become a certified teacher in your state after completing your degree and internship. Candidates may also be required to clear a criminal background check by state licensing bodies. Exams for certification put your knowledge and expertise to the test. 

• Have a look at a graduate degree

While bachelor's degree holders are frequently hired as English teachers, certain schools favor individuals with graduate credentials in education or English. A master's degree can help you stand out as a candidate for jobs as a department head or an advanced course teacher. You may have an edge if you choose to become a specialist because many graduate programs allow students to specialize in a certain field of English or education research, such as teaching English as a foreign language.