Posted on November 21st, 2025 in Blog, Education

ESOL Teacher Job Description

An ESOL teacher goes over an assignment with a student at their desk.School districts and students benefit when schools have enough educators who are qualified to teach English to speakers of other languages (ESOL). Yet, according to a 2024 National Center for Education Statistics survey, 20% of public schools report being understaffed in this critical area.

Becoming an ESOL teacher can be a meaningful career choice for educators who want to make a difference in students’ lives. Helping students gain English proficiency can lay the foundation for them to master other subjects and fully participate in their education.

Whether individuals are considering pursuing a Master of Education degree with an ESOL endorsement or adding an ESOL endorsement to their teaching license, they can benefit from learning more about working as an ESOL teacher and how to enter the profession.

What Working as an ESOL Teacher Entails

ESOL teachers — also called teachers of English as a second language (or ESL teachers) — teach English to students whose first language is not English. They help these students develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Some ESOL teachers lead classes that include only English language learners, while others co-teach in general classrooms.

Typical ESOL teacher responsibilities include:

  • Creating lesson plans that help students build English language proficiency
  • Offering individual or group instruction in language development
  • Adapting lesson plans from other subjects to support English learners
  • Assessing students’ progress toward English proficiency
  • Advocating for English language learners and their needs
  • Participating in professional development to strengthen their instruction skills and cultural competence

ESOL teachers also collaborate with classroom teachers, administrators, and families to help their students adjust to new learning environments and to support their academic and social inclusion.

Where ESOL Teachers Work

Many ESOL teachers teach children in elementary, middle, and high schools. Others teach mostly adults in entities such as higher education institutions, adult education centers, community organizations, and organizations that prepare people for the General Educational Development (GED) exam. 

ESOL Teacher Skills

Effective ESOL teachers demonstrate:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • The ability to collaborate

How to Become an ESOL Teacher and Obtain an ESOL Endorsement

Aspiring ESOL teachers must meet certain requirements to enter the field, similar to those for bilingual teachers and special education teachers. Most states require ESOL teachers to have a teaching license with an ESOL endorsement. An endorsement is an additional credential that authorizes teachers to instruct a specific student population. 

The information below summarizes the steps individuals need to take to become an ESOL teacher.

  • Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in education, English, linguistics, or a related field can provide those who want to become ESOL teachers with a good foundation for becoming an educator and teaching others the English language.

  • Complete Teacher Preparation Requirements

Licensure as a teacher typically requires completion of a teacher preparation program, which may be fulfilled through the student teaching portion of a bachelor’s degree program. Individuals who did not student teach can comply with teacher preparation requirements through a nontraditional or alternative teacher preparation program.

  • Obtain a State Teaching License

An individual who wants to teach ESOL in a school needs to apply for and receive a state teaching license. This typically involves submitting an application and fee, undergoing a background check, and arranging for their higher education institution to provide their official transcripts to the state’s teacher licensing board.

  • Get an ESOL Endorsement

Depending on the state, an ESOL teacher may also need to get an ESOL or ESL endorsement from the state’s licensing board to qualify to teach ESOL in a school. To obtain that endorsement, an individual typically would need to complete an ESOL preparation program. The individual could complete:

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree program that includes the coursework necessary to get an ESOL endorsement 
  • An ESOL endorsement program that does not provide a degree but allows licensed teachers to take the courses that are required to get an ESOL endorsement

After completing an ESOL preparation program, an individual typically would need to pass a subject matter exam related to ESOL and submit an application and all other required documentation to the state licensing board to obtain the ESOL endorsement.

ESOL Teacher Salary and Employment Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that adult basic and secondary education and ESL teachers had a median annual salary of $59,950 as of May 2024. The top 10% of earners made more than $95,750, while the lowest 10% made less than $39,750. Individuals’ salaries vary based on factors such as their geographic location, years of experience, level of education, and type of employer (for example, public school or private school).

The BLS projects that an average of 3,900 job openings will be available each year through 2034 for adult basic and secondary education and ESL teachers. The BLS attributes these expected job openings to a need to replace teachers who leave the profession because they retire or move into other careers.

Using Your Skills and Expertise to Become an ESOL Teacher Could Be a Fulfilling Career Move

ESOL teachers play a key role in helping their students learn to communicate in the English language and pursue further education. Each day, ESOL teachers have the opportunity to make important contributions that can improve the lives of others.

If you have an interest in pursuing a career as an ESOL teacher, explore the programs that Warner Pacific University Online offers to learn how one of these programs can help you achieve your career goals. WPU Online offers students:

These online programs offer individuals the knowledge and skills they need to become ESOL teachers and improve their students’ literacy and language development. 

Begin your journey to a meaningful career as an ESOL teacher with WPU Online today.

Recommended Readings
How to Become a Teacher in Oregon
How to Develop Teacher Leadership Skills
Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education: Choosing Your Advanced Degree Path

Sources:
National Center for Education Statistics, “Public School Leaders Reports Suggest No Overall Change in the Number of Teaching Positions Since Last School Year”
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Adding Endorsements
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Oregon Teaching Licenses: Application Submission Guidance First License Requirements
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Testing for Teaching License Endorsements and Specializations
Teachers of Tomorrow, “How to Become an ESOL Teacher in 2025”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Adult Basic and Secondary Education and ESL Teachers
ZipRecruiter, “What Is an ESL Teacher and How to Become One”