Have you ever taught English as a Second Language before?
Hi guys,
Yesterday, I found out about an exciting opportunity I am going to have soon. The local library system in my city is offering me a chance to interview for a volunteer position as a facilitator of an English as a Second Language discussion group that meets every week. The purpose of the group is to offer refugees and recent immigrants a chance to practice their English conversationally (for clarification, they are not all native Spanish speakers; the group is open to anyone in the community who wants to participate). The facilitators lead the discussion on topics selected by the staff and help the participants to improve their English. I'm not exactly sure how we help them yet, but there will be (free!) training included on how to teach English as a Second Language.
I'm really excited about this opportunity and hope I am selected for the position (I am not sure if there are others I am competing with, or if I am the sole interview-ee). Has anyone else here ever taught ESL or helped with ESL teaching? I want to know what it's all about!
6 Answers
Congratulations! Teaching ESL or EFL can be a very rewarding experience.
I taught both for almost 7 years in Mexico, Russia, and the USA. ESL students are probably the most motivated students you will ever encounter in academia simply because they want to be there learning.
The best tip I can give you is to allow your students to make mistakes, and then respond to them as any person would in a real-life situation. After they realize the confusion caused by a particular mistake, then give your explaination. Integrate a little grammar with all lessons as opposed to just studying grammar and nothing else. There are many bad text books out there, so beware. After teaching a few years, I finally came across a great book that can be used by both intermediate & advanced students called, "Grammar in Use - intermediate" by Raymond Murphy.
Aditionally after teaching a few years, I received my acredited ESL teacher certificate on-line from "Bridge Linguatech" and I would recommend it to anyone. You can do it at your own pace. It's a great course, although it requires a lot of essay writing in addition to other tests, but it will teach you quite a bit.
Welcome to the teaching the teaching of languages!
That's great! I hope that you get the position. I've been teaching an ESL class for Spanish speakers for the past 8 months and I really enjoy it. I wish that I could offer you some great advice but I have no training in teaching ESL and my class has been mainly for beginner's and I can use Spanish to help explain things when necessary. A conversation group would be entirely different.
I have just started reading two books, both of which I like so far. The Art of Teaching Speaking: Research and Pedagogy for the ESL/EFL Classroom by Keith S. Folse and Teach Yourself Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language by David Riddell. I think that the first book might be particularly helpful for learning to have a discussion group.
Congratulations on your great new opportunity. I have only worked one-on-one in teaching English as a second language, so on this point I can offer no help. I just wanted to offer you encouragement! 
That is a wonderful opportunity to teach, to help, and to be taught , for I have found it to be a two way street whereby one gains far more than one gives. there are some good "crash courses " you can do at the local "Tafe" School , as I do not know where you are speaking from I can only tell you what is here . But the BBC as Ian suggested have a wonderful array of courses to take. Best of luck take it in both hands . 
What a great opportunity!!! We were discussing adding this as a ministry at my church. I would love to do something like this, or at least assist someone.
I am interested to see if anyone has information about this topic.
Buena suerte
Hi Ace
First I would say good luck.
It can be very rewarding teaching ESL.
One can go into a class with a headache and can come out feeling just great.
I would suggest that you try to get some formal training in how to teach English (or any language) there are many things to consider.
There are many different types of teachers and students. There is no one way to teach or learn that is "the best" far less perfect.
Finally I would suggest you try to get some books on teaching language and others written by experts about the English language.
My favourite expert is Michael Swan - try googling him. Also try the same for the BBC in London. BBC.Co.UK They have some great language material - both for teachers and students.
As was said previously tell your students very clearly that "Mistakes are good"
I hope you enjoy the experence.
