Instructional
Elementary ESL/ELL Teacher
Provides English language instruction to non-native speakers
- Pay range
- $42,000–$75,000
- Median
- $56,000
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job outlook
- Fast-growing
What you'll do
- Assess English language proficiency levels
- Provide direct English language instruction
- Support content area learning for ELL students
- Collaborate with classroom teachers
- Communicate with multilingual families
- Develop culturally responsive curriculum
A typical day
- Pull-out or push-in language instruction
- Small group vocabulary and grammar lessons
- Co-teaching with classroom teachers
- Language assessments and progress monitoring
- Parent conferences with interpreters
- Culturally responsive teaching activities
- Collaboration and planning meetings
Education & certification path
- Bachelor's degree in Education or related field
- ESL/TESOL certification or endorsement
- Complete practicum with ELL students
- Master's in TESOL or Applied Linguistics (optional)
Required certifications
- State ESL/ELL teaching endorsement
- TESOL or similar certification
- Bilingual endorsement (preferred in some districts)
Career progression
- ESL Teaching Assistant → ESL Teacher
- Lead ESL Teacher or Coordinator
- District ELL Program Director
- ESL Curriculum Specialist
Where and when you'll work
- Work environment
- Dedicated ESL classroom or traveling between classrooms for support
- Typical schedule
- 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, may serve multiple schools