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Major · Education

Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor

A program that focuses on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that may prepare individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.

Schools offering
92
Annual completions
252
Typical degree level
Associate's + Bachelor's
Median earnings (5yr)
$47k

About this major

A program that focuses on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that may prepare individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.

Section 3 · Careers

Where this major leads

Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.

Occupation Median wage Job growth Typical education
Elementary school teachers, except special education $62k -2.0% Bachelor's degree
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $65k -1.6% Bachelor's degree
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education $63k -2.0% Bachelor's degree
Preschool teachers, except special education $37k +4.1% Associate's degree
Kindergarten teachers, except special education $61k -1.6% Bachelor's degree
Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors $60k -13.7% Bachelor's degree
Section 4 · Earnings

Earnings at a glance

Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.

Median 5-year earnings

$47k

Section 6 · Where to study

Top colleges for Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor

Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.

College Location Assoc. Bach. Total
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 0 36 36
Brigham Young University-Hawaii Laie, HI 0 27 27
Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA 0 22 22
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 0 15 15
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras San Juan, PR 0 14 14
Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI 0 9 9
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 0 8 8
University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI 0 8 8
Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH 0 7 7
CUNY Queens College Queens, NY 0 6 6
Section 9 · Frequently asked

Common questions

What can I do with a Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor degree?
Graduates commonly pursue careers such as Elementary school teachers, except special education, Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education.
Is a Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor associate's enough, or do I need a bachelor's?
Both credentials exist. The associate's is typically faster and cheaper; the bachelor's unlocks higher-earning roles. See our earnings table above.
How many colleges offer Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor?
92 colleges offered this major in the most recent IPEDS year, graduating about 252 students a year combined.