A career in TESOL can be a fulfilling one if you’re interested in language. If you’re considering earning a master’s degree in TESOL, you may want to know more about the job opportunities that can become available to you. While one of the most common types of TESOL jobs is teaching, there are many TESOL-related jobs outside of education. In this article, we explore nine jobs you can get with a master’s degree in TESOL.
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What is a master’s degree in TESOL?
A master’s degree in TESOL is a degree that focuses on teaching English as a second language. TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. You may occasionally see it used interchangeably with Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). There are three main levels of TESOL education: certificate, bachelor’s, and master’s. Most TESOL programs combine theory with practical teaching experience. Many master’s programs in TESOL are two years long and often designed to fit a variety of students.
You may want to pursue a master’s in TESOL if you’re interested in teaching in higher education, or in locations with strict teaching requirements and competition. For example, one highly competitive location for TESOL jobs is in the Middle East, and having a master’s degree may help you stand out if you want to teach there.
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9 jobs you can get with a master’s degree in TESOL
Here are nine jobs you can get with a master’s degree in TESOL. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:
1. Adult education teacher
National average salary: $29,691 per year
Primary duties: Adult education teachers work with adults who are seeking to further their education in areas such as basic literacy, GED preparation, and English as a second language (ESL). Adult education teachers commonly work at places like community colleges, nonprofits, and correctional facilities. Since their students are adults who likely have responsibilities outside of school, it can be important for an adult education teacher to be flexible in areas like scheduling, class workload, and deadlines.
2. Academic adviser
National average salary: $40,320 per year
Primary duties: Academic advisers work primarily at colleges to help students meet their academic goals. They also might offer advice on personal concerns that may affect the student’s education. Academic advisers often meet with students at least once a semester, but this can be flexible, as some students may ask for additional meetings or require less guidance. They are often responsible for knowing the most current academic requirements and university policies, being accessible to students, and following up with students if they appear to be struggling.
3. Corporate trainer
National average salary: $49,032 per year
Primary duties: Corporate offices may employ corporate trainers to provide professional development and training to their employees. This can be a good option for someone who has an education degree but isn’t interested in working in education. Some responsibilities of corporate trainers can include developing training materials, managing a training budget, and reporting to management on training progress.
4. Private tutor
National average salary: $54,174 per year
Primary duties: Private tutors provide individual instruction to students of all ages who may need extra help outside of their classes or who are preparing for a specific exam. Tutors are typically independent contractors whose work may take place in a variety of settings, like a student’s home or at their school. Their responsibilities can involve developing individual lesson plans, assessing areas that the student could use improvement in, and helping them learn how to study more effectively.
5. ESL instructor
National average salary: $55,957 per year
Primary duties: ESL instructors work with students of all ages whose first language isn’t English. They primarily focus on teaching students how to communicate in English through reading, writing, and speaking. Since ESL teachers work with students from a variety of backgrounds with different levels of English proficiency, it’s important for them to be skilled communicators, have flexibility in their teaching methods, and be sensitive to cultural differences.
6. Instructional designer
National average salary: $63,783 per year
Primary duties: Instructional designers develop learning systems, such as curriculums and educational resources and materials. These professionals research advancements in education technology and implement them into the learning process. They may also act as an adviser to a school by assessing their needs and advising them on what technology may be most useful to them. Instructional designers also train school faculty and staff on the new learning systems and technology, including strategies for using them in the classroom.
7. Teacher trainer
National average salary: $66,258 per year
Primary duties: Schools hire teacher trainers to help improve their teachers’ skills. These trainers can work as regular employees of a school or as freelancers. Trainers often sit in on classes to observe the teachers on their teaching methods and how they manage their classrooms. They then provide an assessment that includes advice and suggested goals. Their responsibilities can include one-on-one coaching, leading workshops or training sessions, and helping to improve the curriculum.
8. Curriculum leader
National average salary: $77,252 per year
Primary duties: Curriculum leaders work with schools to help improve curriculum by reviewing course materials and providing suggestions. One of their primary responsibilities is to ensure that the school’s curriculum, including course requirements, textbooks, and exams, is in line with any national or state requirements. Their other duties can include supporting and mentoring teachers, reviewing student assessment procedures, and acting as a liaison between teachers and school leaders to facilitate communication.
9. Department head
National average salary: $80,599 per year
Primary duties: Department heads, also sometimes called department chairs, oversee a university department by managing faculty and staff, creating departmental strategies for improvement, and representing their department to the rest of the university. They are often also faculty in that department and may continue to teach during their time as chair of the department while continuing their own research and professional development. A few other examples of a department head’s responsibilities include regularly meeting with other departments and university leadership, hiring faculty, managing the department budget, and ensuring that the department aligns with the university’s broader goals.
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