What is ESL?

The term “ESL” stands for English as a Second Language. It highlights that students already speak another, native language and are learning English as an additional one.

This designation reflects the course’s goal — to help individuals whose native language is not English to master it for everyday communication, work, study, and other purposes. 

Although the instruction occurs in English, ESL teachers understand that students initially think in their native language. 

That’s why they use specific methods and approaches that help students gradually switch to English and use it as a second language.

ESL education comes with many benefits. Let’s explore some of the key advantages.

Personal satisfaction and inspiration

One of the strongest aspects of teaching ESL is the personal satisfaction derived from helping others. 

Imagine working with students who initially struggle with learning English: some are afraid to speak, while others have difficulty understanding even simple words and phrases. 

But over time, thanks to your efforts, they start making progress — constructing sentences, understanding spoken language, and eventually communicating fluently in English. 

You are not merely imparting knowledge but genuinely impacting people’s lives, helping them achieve their goals, whether it’s studying abroad, starting a new job, or simply gaining the confidence to communicate with others.

International career opportunities

If you’ve always wanted to live abroad, teaching ESL can make that dream a reality. 

Many countries, particularly in Asia, actively seek English teachers. 

Working there, you not only earn a salary but also gain unique cultural experiences, make friends from around the world, and immerse yourself in a completely different way of life.

Professional growth

Teaching ESL offers excellent opportunities for continuous professional development. 

Every class is a chance to improve your skills. 

Working with diverse students allows you to adapt your methods to their needs, devise new ways to explain complex topics, and find approaches that work for each student.

There are numerous opportunities for enhancing your qualifications in ESL. 

Courses, training sessions, and workshops are available to help you grow as a teacher. 

Earning these certifications opens doors to better positions and even prestigious educational institutions abroad. 

On our Grade University platform, you can find a range of courses that will help you enhance your teaching skills, gain valuable certifications, and advance your career in ESL education. 

These courses are designed to provide you with practical tools and methodologies for effective teaching. 

You can try a free demo version to understand the structure and quality of our TEFL/TESOL courses before committing. 

Learning English as a second language comes with its own set of challenges. 

These obstacles can impact various aspects of a student's ability to understand and use English effectively.

Language barrier

When a student finds themselves in an environment where everyone speaks English, they may feel confused and insecure. 

In such moments, there is often a fear of making mistakes or being misunderstood, which can lead to reticence and a reluctance to speak at all. 

Many students are afraid to speak English because they don’t want to appear foolish or silly. 

This is a natural feeling, as we all strive to be understood and accepted. 

However, this fear can significantly hinder progress.

The more they practise, the faster they will learn to speak correctly.

Lack of vocabulary

Sometimes students simply don’t know how to express their thoughts in English due to a shortage of the right words.

By gradually expanding their vocabulary, they will become more confident in conversations.

Pronunciation and accents

Every language has its unique sounds, and not all of these sounds are present in other languages. 

For example, the "th" sounds in words like "think" or "this" may be completely new to those learning English, as these sounds may not exist in their native language.

This can pose challenges when trying to pronounce these words correctly. 

However, like any skill, pronunciation can be developed with practice. 

An accent is how one's native language influences the way they speak English. 

For instance, Ukrainian-speaking students may pronounce English words with a hard "r", which is different from the soft English "r". 

This is normal and should not embarrass students. It is important to remember that an accent is a natural part of the language experience. 

Over time and with practice, the accent may become more neutral, making speaking easier. 

One of the main reasons listening comprehension can be difficult is the speed at which native speakers talk. 

In everyday speech, words often blend together, and sounds can be simplified. 

For example, instead of saying “What do you want to do?”, a native speaker might say something like “Whaddaya wanna do?”, where the words blend into one long phrase. 

ESL students might get confused in such situations, as they learn the language at a slower, more deliberate pace.

Students may encounter phrases that seem illogical or meaningless at first glance. 

For example, the expression “hit the books” is not meant literally; it means “to start studying hard.” 

Such phrases can be confusing and complicate listening comprehension if one is not familiar with their meanings.

One of the key principles of teaching ESL is the immersion method. 

Most lessons are conducted entirely in English. 

Even though this might be challenging for students initially, it helps them adjust more quickly to hearing English and start understanding the language on an intuitive level. 

The idea is to immerse students in the English language environment, helping them gradually begin to think in English.

In ESL classes, special emphasis is placed on practice. 

Students will engage in a lot of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. 

ESL classes also focus heavily on vocabulary and grammar. 

Vocabulary is taught in the context of real-life situations, so students can immediately use new words in conversation. 

Grammar is taught in a way that makes its rules easily applicable in practice, with a focus on understanding and using it in everyday life. 

When starting to learn English, you might come across various terms: ESL, EFL, ELL, and EAL. 

All of these relate to learning English, but there are important distinctions. 

Let’s clarify what they mean.

ESL refers to learning English when it is not your native language, but you are living in an English-speaking environment. 

For example, if you move to the UK or the US and learn English to live and work there, you would be taking ESL courses.

EFL differs from ESL in that English is studied as a foreign language in a country where it is not the official language. 

For instance, if you are learning English in a school in Ukraine, it would be EFL. 

There is no constant exposure to the language environment, and the study often focuses on grammar and written assignments.

ELL is a term used to describe anyone learning English, regardless of where they live.

EAL is similar to ESL, but it emphasises that English is not a second language but one of several languages spoken. 

For example, if someone speaks multiple languages and learns English as another language, this would be referred to as EAL.

Yes, there is a high demand for ESL teachers, especially in countries with large numbers of immigrants and students learning English as a second language. 

With globalisation and the increasing need for English for work and study, qualified ESL teachers are sought after in many countries.

Teaching experience and a degree in education are typically required for teaching ESL abroad. 

Many schools and language centres prefer to hire teachers with a degree, particularly in linguistics, or English. 

Additionally, having a TEFL or TESOL certificate significantly boosts your chances of securing a position and can compensate for a lack of experience.

Teachers with a TEFL certificate generally earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on the country, experience, and type of school or programme. 

In some countries, such as South Korea or Japan, rates can be higher, especially if you work in private schools or offer private lessons.