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How to Become an English Teacher
So you want to be an English teacher? Well, great choice! It’s not just a rewarding career, but one that commands a great deal of respect. Let’s explore the process of becoming an English teacher.
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For so many reasons, becoming an English teacher is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling professions around. With over 1.4 billion speakers around the world, the language has proven a wonderful vessel for some of the best literature, theatre, lyrics, poetry, cinema and conversation ever had.
Whether it’s Peppa Pig or Shakespeare, teaching English at any level is more than worthwhile. For those living where English is the native language, this can mean rudimentary sounds, words and phrases, all the way up to using English in a creative, expressive way.
If you teach English as a foreign language, you may find yourself getting more into the mechanics of the language; grammar and syntax that might seem like second nature is very different in a foreign language!
Crucially, though: how does one become an English teacher? Let’s find out together!
English teaching: An overview
English teaching, depending on the level, age and proficiency of the learner, can be one of the most diverse and challenging educational pursuits around. For early-age learners, the fundamentals will be the focus; reading, recognising the alphabet, sounding out words and forming letters physically, and using handwriting to reinforce memory.
As time progresses, the learner will face various tasks. The act of reading will be a major focus, and progressively, the reading material will become more complex. The number of characters and voices in a fiction assignment, for example, will increase. The tone of voice, accents and more extensive vocabulary will mean the reading material has become more challenging.Teaching English also includes close reading, speaking exercises, creative writing exercises and so much more, as the level of proficiency improves.
Download our guide to teaching English around the world
English teacher job description
In simple terms, the role of an English teacher is to improve a student’s proficiency in the language, in terms of pronunciation, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, syntax and all other essential aspects. It’s about building creative, critical thinking, communicative and social skills at its core, though later on, a student will use English to develop organisational, rhetorical and other attributes.
To do this, an English teacher must organise and carry out lessons which engage students. Of course, the written word was the primary vehicle for teaching English over the centuries, but forms of media ranging from cinema to social media are great ways to encourage vocabulary building, correct pronunciation and other essential English skills.
An English teacher should have expert knowledge of the language, and be able to provide lessons which utilise prose, poetry, news writing, narratives, essays and other modalities of communicated English.What are the responsibilities of an English teacher?
Perhaps the most pertinent question of all is: what is an English teacher responsible for?
Whether it’s at the most basic level, or towards the end of schooling, English teachers may be working with different materials, but the basic concepts are the same: lesson planning, assessment, encouraging and assisting students, creating classroom materials and both assigning and marking homework.
Let’s discuss these in more detail.
Lesson planning & assessment
Lesson planning should be at the absolute centre of everything an English teacher does. If English teachers aren’t able to demonstrably prove they can sculpt a meaningful, engaging class, then learning outcomes won’t be reached.
Equally, regular assessment means that students can gauge their abilities, and with a teacher, identify any strengths or weaknesses in their English learning.
Encouraging and assisting students in written & spoken English
Through using a range of reading and writing materials, an English teacher’s job is to encourage and assist students. Pronunciation is particularly important when it comes to spoken English, and it’s important to remember the influence of different accents, especially if someone is learning English as a foreign language.
Creating classroom materials
Though an English teacher can rely on a range of different forms of media, including books, magazines, films, music and more, an English teacher will have to create classroom materials in order to personalise and enhance the learning experience.
For example, scanning pages from a book in order to complete a close reading exercise is an example of creating classroom materials. Providing flash cards, editing clips of a TV programme or film - there are countless amazing examples of how to provide learning materials for an English class.
Assigning and marking homework
Though there are arguments for and against homework, it’s likely that - barring a major cultural shift - you’ll assign and mark homework as an English teacher. Fundamentally, it means that students can work on reading and writing at home, and through setting homework, an English teacher can help to establish a life-long passion for reading.
Alternatively, writing assignments can be fun and creative. Instead of giving homework assignments that students dread, a lot of fun can be had through meaningful, positive exercises.In early years English education, homework is particularly important. Studies have shown that children who read for pleasure at an early age are more likely to reach attainment goals in school later on. As an English teacher, your part in this is utterly crucial.
English teacher skills
What skills do you need to be an effective and influential English teacher? We’ve picked out four absolutely crucial attributes you’ll need to help people on their language journey.
Communication
If you want your students to be able to communicate effectively, you’ve got to teach them how to do it. Being open to dialogue, making yourself understood and taking initiative are extremely important skills for any English teacher.
Organisation
As a teacher of English, you’re going to be working with pupils who are a range of ages and proficiencies. To meet the needs of every student, you’ll have to be organised in how you design lessons, carry out tasks, arrange groups and more.Creativity
An engaged class is one that’s able to think critically and creatively. To inspire creativity in your students, you must be creative yourself. Language learning should be fun and inspire ideas.
Approachability
As a teacher, approachability is a fundamental skill. While many teachers of years past might’ve led by fear, or tried to inspire through punishment, times have very much changed. Any language, especially English, can be very hard to learn; scalding pupils for making mistakes is only going to make them associate the language with an unpleasant learning experience. You should be able to correct mistakes and encourage particular learning outcomes in a friendly, approachable manner.How to become an English teacher
We know what an English teacher does, and the essential attributes one needs, what’s the next step? Why, it’s becoming an English teacher.
What do you need? How do you find jobs? Let’s answer some burning questions.
Get a bachelor's degree
The first step is to attain a bachelor’s degree, either in education (or an education-related subject), or in English (language or literature). Your degree must come from an accredited institution, and arm you with all the skills you need to apply for a teacher training course.
Obtain a teacher's certification
The next step is obtaining a teaching certificate. Depending on where you are, this could come in different forms. For example, in Scotland, it’s a PGDE you’ll need, in England you’ll generally need a QTS, and in the USA, teaching licenses vary by state. In general, each country will have its own post-graduate teaching certificate that you’ll need to attain.
Pass a background check
Of course, like most jobs these days, you’ll need to pass a background check. In terms of school teaching, these checks are particularly important, as you will be entrusted with the care of vulnerable groups.
Typically, a background check will involve contacting former employers (if applicable), checking police records and, in some cases, social media.
Polish your CV
It’s easier than ever to craft a great CV these days. With online resources, employers telling us exactly what they want, and templates readily available, the advice is clearer than it’s ever been. What about standing out, though?
When it comes to teaching CVs - especially if you’ve changed career - a lot of people don’t realise how many transferable skills they have. If you’ve ever been involved in child care, given training, led and co-ordinated group activities or taught in any way, then use that for your CV!
Apply for English teaching jobs
The final step is to apply for English teaching jobs. It can be a grind, but make sure each application is unique, especially if you have to write a cover letter. Each employer must feel as though you have the requisite enthusiasm to work for them and contribute to a culture.
Before you apply for a job and write an application:
- Research: Find out about the institution you want to work for. Have a clear understanding of what they offer and what you could bring to them.
- Address your application to the right person: If you can, find out the name of the department head, head teacher or whoever is broadly in charge of the hiring process. “To whom it may concern” is an absolute last resort!
- Provide evidence of your vast qualities: Prove, don’t just say. Do you have excellent organisational skills? Use your cover letter or application to give examples. Great at designing course materials? Direct your potential employer to where they might find said materials.
For more great job application tips, check out our Cover Letter guide!
Jobs
So now you know how to become an English teacher. Where should you be applying to in order to find teaching positions? Let’s break down the main routes of employment for English teachers:
Public schools
State schools are always on the lookout for English teachers. Typically, if you’re working specifically as an English teacher, you’ll find a decent salary (rising over time), job security and a wide range of proficiencies.
To get a job at a state school as an English teacher, you’ll typically need a degree and teacher certification. Job experience isn’t always necessary for secondary school teachers applying for a high school teaching position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which certification is necessary to become an English teacher?
The certification you need to become an English teacher depends where you’re based. Typically, a bachelor’s degree (in English or education) and a postgraduate teaching qualification are required.
Q. Which career opportunities are available for English teachers?
English teachers typically work in public schools, private schools and universities, or they can work in private tutoring.
Q. Which certifications help English teachers advance their careers?
The certification you’ll need to advance your career as an English teacher depends on where you’re based - each country has its own teacher training qualifications. However, a bachelor’s degree in English or Education are massively helpful if you want to become an English teacher.