What are the duties of a high school ESL teacher?

I'm thinking about becoming a high school ESL teacher and want to know more about the job description. What does the position usually entail, and what are some of the main responsibilities?

High school ESL teachers carry out a variety of responsibilities that revolve mostly around helping students, particularly those for whom English is a second language, master English language skills. Here are some of the main duties:

Curriculum Development: ESL teachers are often responsible for developing or modifying a curriculum to meet the needs of their English language learner (ELL) students. The curriculum usually includes learning strategies for improving reading comprehension, grammar, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

Instruction & Assessment: A key part of the role is direct instruction. This means delivering lessons, facilitating discussions, and integrating technology to support learning. Assessment is also crucial, as teachers need to evaluate students' skills regularly to measure progress and rework lesson plans as necessary.

Creating an Inclusive Environment: High school ESL teachers strive to create an inclusive classroom environment that celebrates diversity. They structure discussions and assignments to honor the various cultural backgrounds of students, which can enhance respect and understanding among peers.

Language Proficiency Evaluation: They often need to administer and evaluate language proficiency tests to understand the individual needs of each student better.

Communication with Parents & Other Teachers: As an ESL teacher, you'll also need to maintain consistent communication with parents, updating them on their child's progress and enlisting their support to reinforce English usage at home. Collaboration with other subject teachers is equally important, particularly if a student is struggling with language comprehension in multiple subject areas.

Professional Development: Finally, an essential ongoing part of the role is professional development. As an ESL teacher, you'll be expected to stay updated on new teaching methods, research, and technological tools that can support your students' learning, as well as educational policies and practices (like modifications or accommodations in testing).

Overall, the role of a high school ESL teacher requires a balance of instructional skills, cultural sensitivity, collaboration, and continued learning. It can be a rewarding profession if you enjoy helping learners from diverse backgrounds and are passionate about language education.