Come January, there will be the changing of the guard in Washington D.C.
Already, that has been happening here in Connecticut. Those media representatives, speechwriters, and policy analysts associated with losing campaigns had already come to the end of their one-month severance, if the political candidate was generous. If not, they have been foraging for work since the day after the election.
In addition there are journalists, lawyers, and even scientific researchers (big personnel cutbacks in the pharmaceutical industry) whose jobs were eliminated and haven't yet landed on their feet.
One possibility is to teach English as a second language (ESL). According to the Department of Labor, jobs in that field are projected to grow 13% between 2008 and 2018. PayScale.com puts annual compensation as between $29,173 and $73,403.
In addition, there are growing opportunities outside the U.S. In some nations such as Korea, formal ESL credentials aren't required. But getting certification is doable.
One former lawyer I coached for career transition is being wooed by several employers in China to teach English. He is now studying for certification in ESL at a community college. He doesn't need to know Mandarin but is also studying that language online to broaden his opportunities abroad. Daily he and a Chinese university student chat on Skype, both trying to improve their ability to speak in each other's language. This JD has thrown in the towel on his opportunities here.
Because of the work potential in ESL, I have asked Canadian Jelena Kikas, who teaches ELS in her homeland, to provide insight about this field. Jelena agreed to provide this exclusive interview.
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Exclusive Interview with Jelena Kikas, ESL Curriculum Expert, Instructor, and Language Coach
JG: Readers want to have a feel for what kind of person goes into ESL. So, can you brief us on who you are.
JK: For me that's a difficult question. I like to see myself as a good person who has been shaped by challenges. My family emigrated to Canada. As I grew up, English was not the language spoken at home. It was something I would learn later in school. I found refuge in school.
JG: So many of us also discovered we can find ourselves, heal, and build a future through academic programs. What specific academic credentials do you have?
JK: This is how we present ourselves in Canada. I am in good standing at the Ontario College of Teachers, Good Standing TESL Ontario, Bachelor of Arts, and my Master's.
JG: Why is there such growing demand for teachers of ESL?
JK: The student population in North America is rapidly changing. Today's schools are becoming more diverse and we are living in a global society, where people migrate often.
Also, the ability to read, speak, and write English well has become a prerequisite for getting a good job. I volunteer with immigrants who recognize they must have a command of English before they can support themselves and their families in Canada. That also goes for their push to get ahead. They have to become fluent in English if they, for example, want to enroll in the MBA programs in Canadian universities.
According to statistics, approximately 10% of the population in North America needs ESL services. However, the problem is that a great number of the students are being served by teachers new to the field or lacking training in teaching linguistically diverse students.
JG: What makes for effective ESL teachers?
JK: Of course, the teachers must understand how people learn. In addition, they must know the process of second language acquisition. There are many proven and emerging strategies for teaching a second language, especially to adults who tend to be self conscious about speaking a language new to them.
Social media has been useful. That helps students become involved in collaborative projects such as Wikipedia. Currently, that is available in more than 230 languages. Watching interviews on YouTube provides students with a better idea of the non-verbal dynamics in an English conversation.
JG: What about online education?
JK: Learning languages online is quite different from learning other subject matter. In order for students to most efficiently take command of the English language, they need to have extensive conversational experience. However, the motivated student will find a way to supplement online instruction with practical experience.
JG: What gets in the way of establishing successful programs?
JK: Increasingly in these uncertain economic times, the funding could be reduced or eliminated completely. Teachers may have to become advocates for continued funding.
JG: How has a background in ESL opened other career doors for you?
JK: Let me reframe that, Jane. In essence, obtaining a solid education, developing the ability to build relationships with diverse groups, and experience with social media have broadened my career options beyond my expectations - that is, way beyond education.
Frequently, organizations and individuals approach me with contract assignments in communications strategy and content, community organizing, project management, and marketing communications.
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Jelena Kikas has global experience in education, including curriculum development for in-classroom and online education as well as academic counseling. She also has done assignments in communications, marketing, and project management. You can reach her at jelenakik@gmail.com.
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