20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually start by checking email and the schedule in Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar, then open lesson materials in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Plan for several class sessions: warm-up, explicit grammar or vocabulary, a speaking activity, and a short assessment or homework check.
Midday includes one-on-one help, monitoring students’ progress in Excel or your school system, meetings with tutors or specialists, and preparing tests or grades. Afternoons often have meetings, staff development, or evening classes for adults or out-of-school youth.
Start with Zoom and Google Workspace. Zoom runs live classes and one-on-one tutoring; learn breakout rooms, screen sharing, and recording. Google Docs and Sheets handle collaborative lesson plans, attendance lists, and simple grade tracking.
Learn Blackboard next if you work at a college or program that uses it for assignments, quizzes, and gradebooks. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint are useful too for handouts and slides.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2025, the ESL teaching occupation had 37,310 employed. Median pay was $61,540 per year, the lowest tenth earned $41,810, and the top tenth earned $98,030.
Local pay varies by employer (public school, adult ed center, private language school) and your credentials. BLS is the source for these national numbers.
Provide assistive devices and supportive technology as needed, like screen readers, enlarged text, or captioning in Zoom. Make sure students can access facilities and restrooms, and adapt tests (extra time, oral versions) when required.
Coordinate with disability services and attend meetings with professionals to determine accommodations. Track these needs in your student files and apply them consistently during computerized testing or classroom assessments.
Yes, but use AI tools as a first draft only. For lesson plans and materials, generate ideas, then edit for accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with learning objectives. Never let AI create graded tests without your review.
For assessments, transfer questions into your learning system (Blackboard or computerized testing platform) and verify they match student levels. Keep student data out of public AI services unless your institution approves secure, privacy-compliant tools.
ESL focuses on language goals (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and students’ language levels, not a full subject curriculum. You spend more time on diagnostics, individualized help, and exams like GED prep, and you often monitor progress in spreadsheets or school systems.
You also handle more community outreach, scheduling classes for maximum attendance, and training tutors or community volunteers. Classroom teachers usually follow a broader subject scope and state curriculum standards.