The Growing ESL Crisis In The USA

Teaching English abroad is a popular career option for teachers from English-speaking countries like the US, UK, South Africa and Australia. With the abundance of travel opportunities available to TEFL teachers this shouldn’t come as a surprise to those of us who like to travel.

But what many don’t realise is there is a huge demand for TEFL teachers in those same countries they are leaving behind. Summer camps and private language schools are options for teachers looking for jobs in their home country, but there is a growing need for EFL teachers in public schools, especially in the US.

[In the US, these learners are usually referred to as ESL learners, so this is the terminology we’ll use going forward in this article.]

The ESL situation in the US

In recent years, mass immigration has seen an influx of immigrants into the US. War, poverty and political instability in their home countries are driving families from their homes into the States in search of greener pastures.

Of course, many of these immigrants are not native English speakers; some do not know English at all. When it comes to children of school-going age, they are being placed in public schools. 

Circumstances don’t allow for many public schools to offer bilingual classes, or classes for ESL learners (also known as English Language Learners or ELLs). Instead, they are placed with American children in mainstream classes, sometimes with additional ESL lessons or with the support of an TESL-qualified assistant teacher.

Some states are able to handle these new learners with relatively few problems. But in other states it’s causing massive issues.

Problems with ESL programs in schools

The biggest issue with ESL programs in mainstream schools in the US is the class size and, as a result, the student:teacher ratio.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2020, overall, ELLs accounted for 10% of the students in public elementary and secondary schools – 16% in New Mexico and 20% in Texas.

The states mostly affected are those with high immigration rates. Immigrants come from Central America and the Caribbean, as well as Eastern Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East.

These large numbers naturally mean an increase in class sizes, and an increase in student:teacher ratios. A school district in San Diego may have a (multilingual) student:teacher ratio of 4:1, but in Los Angeles 23:1 and Baltimore 30:1. 

The ESL teacher shortage

The increase in the number of students across American schools has, along with other issues, led to a teacher shortage. As a result, some US states have changed their qualification specifications, effectively opening a door for TEFL-qualified teachers.

Bear in mind, this immigration means that there are not only school-age ELLs, but their parents too. These adult ELLs need to learn English to assimilate into the culture, as well as for employment.

Read more: 6 Differences Between Teaching Adults And Young Learners

Because of the spcialised nature of the needs of these ELLs and their families, ESL teachers are perfectly suited to cater to this situation.

ESL teachers often have to deal with overcrowded classrooms, students from different social and linguistic backgrounds, and ELLs of different English levels. At times we might have to teach Proficient children, while at others adults who cannot read or write in English – or even their own language.

The Raise The Bar Policy Brief from the US Department of Education specifically mentions a shortage in teachers of English as a second language (ESL teachers).

ESL jobs in the USA

What does this mean for TEFL-qualified teachers? 

A growing focus on the impact of immigration on the mainstream education system, along with a greater acceptance of TEFL/TESL qualifications, and governmental support for upskilling teachers is good news for ESL teachers.

Of course the United States is a huge country. Teaching requirements differ from state to state, as do rates of pay and teacher support. 

But what this means is there is a growing need for TEFL-qualified teachers in the US, not only in private language schools or volunteer positions, but in mainstream schools. Now is the perfect time to get TEFL-qualified if you’re in the USA.