FCS Investigates: ESL Teachers-Breaking down the Language Barriers

While browsing the Classified Ads of craigslist.org, I noticed a lot of job openings looking for English language teachers and tutors. These are online jobs where the teacher and the student get to talk to each other using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

Thinking that this looks like a good part-time job, I did some deeper research and I found out that most of the clients seeking this service are Asians and Europeans. ESL (English as a Second Language) Teachers, as they are called, help these students obtain better English proficiency skills particularly in oral communication. In this kind of work, students are taught how to speak English in a neutral accent with proper diction and grammar.

Much to my astonishment, I found out that most ESL teachers, especially online ESL tutors, are Asians -- specifically Filipinos. However ironic this may appear to be, it is reasonable since English happens to be the second language spoken in the Philippines.

Your state is in need of ESL Teachers. Find out more.

Given this case, it is quite absurd why only a few Americans pursue this kind of job. It is obvious that they have greater credibility in teaching English. First, they are the native speakers of the language (aside from the Britons, of course). Second, it's their accent that most foreign students imitate. Also, apart from learning the language – ESL students are also interested in learning about US fashion, humor and culture. These are areas that could be better addressed by Americans themselves.

ESL Teachers are well-compensated, with an average salary of $43,910. Foreigners are beginning to realize the advantages of being able to speak English in their own careers, providing a staggering 87,000 expected ESL teaching job openings by 2016. To those who wish to pursue a career in ESL teaching, online degrees are now available through the web.