What does an ESL Tutor do?
Published 5 min read
An ESL tutor helps students improve their English language skills. They may work with students who are learning English as a second language or who are struggling with reading, writing, and speaking English. The tutor may help the student to practice conversation, work on grammar and vocabulary, and improve their pronunciation.
ESL Tutor job duties include:
- Assess student’s level of English and create a personalized learning plan
- Teach English language skills including reading, writing, listening and speaking
- Encourage students to practice their English outside of class
- Use a variety of teaching methods to keep students engaged
- Adapt lessons to meet the needs of individual students
- Evaluate student progress and provide feedback
- Maintain records of student progress and attendance
- Communicate with parents or guardians about student’s progress
- Plan and prepare for each class in advance
ESL Tutor Job Requirements
ESL Tutors typically have at least a Bachelor's degree in English, Education, Linguistics, or a related field. Many ESL Tutors also have certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). In addition to education and certification, ESL Tutors must have experience working with non-native English speakers of all ages and levels.
ESL Tutor Skills
- Patience
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Good communication
- Organizational
- Time management
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Interpersonal
- Conflict resolution
- Public speaking
Related: Top ESL Tutor Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become an ESL Tutor
There are many ways to become an ESL tutor. One can volunteer in their community, take online courses, or even get certified. However, the most important aspect of becoming an ESL tutor is having a passion for teaching and working with people from different cultures. The following steps will outline how to become an ESL tutor.
1. Determine why you want to become an ESL tutor. It is important to have a clear understanding of your motivations for wanting to help others learn English. This will not only make you a more effective tutor, but will also keep you motivated when the going gets tough. Perhaps you have personal experience with learning a second language and want to share your knowledge with others. Or maybe you simply enjoy working with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Whatever your reasons, be sure to keep them in mind as you pursue becoming an ESL tutor.
2. Choose the population you would like to work with. There are many different groups of people who may need English tutoring services. Do you want to work with children, adults, or both? Would you like to specialize in helping those who are new to the country or those who are already fluent but want to improve their conversational skills? Once you have decided who you would like to work with, research what specific needs they have in terms of learning English (e.g., grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation). This will help guide the type of material and approach you use when tutoring.
3. Consider taking some courses or getting certified in ESL teaching methods if you have not already done so. While it is not required that ESL tutors have formal training, it can certainly be beneficial. There are many online and offline courses available that can teach you about different approaches to teaching English as a second language. In addition, there are certification programs offered by various organizations (e.g., TESOL International Association) that can give you additional credentials as an ESL teacher.
4. Develop a teaching approach that works for both you and your students. There is no one “right” way to teach English as a second language; what matters most is finding an approach that works well for both you and your students. If you are not sure where to start, there are many resources available online and offline that can provide guidance on different teaching methods (e.g., task-based learning, communicative approaches). In addition, observing experienced ESL teachers in action can also give you some good ideas about how to structure your lessons and activities.
5. Be patient, flexible, and creative in your teaching. Learning a new language can be challenging, so it is important to be patient with your students and understand that progress may not always happen as quickly as we would like it to. At the same time, be flexible in your approach – if something isn’t working, don’t hesitate to try something else instead! And finally, don’t forget to have fun – after all, learning should be enjoyable!
Related: ESL Tutor Resume Example
Related: ESL Tutor Interview Questions (With Example Answers)