ESL Teacher Resume Sample

View a successful sample resume for an ESL teacher. Gain insights on crafting an ESL teacher resume objective, job descriptions, and essential teacher resume skills. Secure an interview!

In your quest for the ideal ESL teaching position, let’s start by discussing your resume. Just like a meticulously taught grammar lesson, your ESL teacher resume should be exceptional to stand out among the competition in this high-demand field.

Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with all the essential information to transform your resume into a linguistic masterpiece that will impress hiring managers.

This guide will provide you with:

– ESL teacher resume examples that outshine 90% of other resumes.
– Strategies for crafting an ESL teacher resume that increases your chances of securing interviews.
– Tips and examples for effectively showcasing your skills and accomplishments on an ESL teacher resume.
– Guidance on crafting a compelling ESL teacher objective to help you secure any desired job position.

ESL Teacher Resume Example

 

Oliver Nelson

ESL Teacher

123-456-7890

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/oliver.nelson

Summary

Enthusiastic and certified ESL Teacher with over 10 years of experience. Seeking to provide effective and creative instruction at LanguageLink Education by creating educational plans tailored to each student. Helped 50+ students pass IELTS tests at ESLFocus Academy, achieving a 35% increase in average scores.

Experience

ESL Teacher

ESLFocus Academy, Allentown, PA

January 2016–March 2023

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Designed and implemented lesson plans focusing on English language fluency.
• Conducted engaging English learning activities to strengthen students’ verbal and written skills.
• Assisted students in preparing for IELTS exams. 
• Prepared and conducted cultural classes in museums.

Key Achievement:

• Improved overall student IELTS scores by 35%.

ESL Teacher

FluentCraft Language School, Allentown, PA

June 2011–December 2015

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Facilitated participation in group tasks to improve students’ English speaking skills.
• Tracked student progress and personalized instruction based on individual needs.
• Prepared and conducted 5 weekly classes.

Key Achievement: 

• Developed creative learning resources, which resulted in a 45% improvement in student engagement.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in English Education

Pennsylvania State University, PA

September 2007–May 2011

Relevant extracurricular activities

• Volunteered to tutor ESL students, improving their language skills and confidence.

Academic achievements

• Graduated with honors (GPA 3.9).

Skills

• Lesson plan creation
• Classroom management
• Communication
• Patience
• Creativity
• Organization
• Cultural sensitivity
• Adaptability

Certifications

• TESOL Certified, TESOL International Association, 2011

Awards

• 2020, Excellence in Teaching Award, ESLFocus Academy

Memberships

Member of the TESOL International Association since 2011

Languages

• English—Native
• Spanish—Advanced

Interests

• Hosting a language learning podcast with over 5k listeners.
• Writing a blog about innovative teaching methods in language education.

 

Ensure Proper Formatting of Your ESL Teacher Resume

Whether you draw inspiration from Professor Keating, Charles Xavier, or perhaps Dolores Umbridge, irrespective of your teaching style and area of expertise, there’s a fundamental aspect that all ESL teaching resumes must adhere to: structure.

Opting for the esteemed reverse-chronological resume format is typically the wisest decision. This format prioritizes your recent professional experiences, which resonates well with prospective employers who are accustomed to this layout.

Compose an Objective or Summary for an ESL Teacher Resume

Recruiters can be likened to the hyperactive kid at the back of the classroom—
Fail to engage them, and they’ll be immersed in Candy Crush Saga before you know it.
And you’ve got a mere 6 seconds to capture their attention, or your resume will be swiftly discarded.
There are two strategies to compel the recruiter to read further: a resume summary or a resume objective.
When to utilize them?
If you boast extensive experience in ESL teaching, opt for a resume summary. It will highlight your top skills, pertinent responsibilities, and a measurable achievement right at the outset, showcasing you as the ideal English language instructor.
If you’re just embarking on your journey as an ESL teacher or possess limited relevant experience, craft a resume objective. This will emphasize your skills and articulate your career aspirations to the employer. Additionally, you can incorporate a couple of key metrics to underscore your value.

ESL Teacher Resume Summary

CORRECT

A TESOL-certified educator holding a master’s degree in applied linguistics, with over six years of extensive teaching experience in public community colleges and language schools. Demonstrated success in developing over 100 Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and preparing 230 students for ESL exams, including TOEFL. Seeking to contribute expertise and enthusiasm to your ESL university program.

INCORRECT

Experienced English as a Second Language teacher with several years of teaching diverse proficiency levels across various institutions. Proficient in delivering lectures and preparing students for ESL exams.

The latter example falls short, resembling generic content extracted from an online source.

In contrast—

The hiring manager would undoubtedly be impressed by the former. The candidate effectively outlines their educational background, supported by quantifiable achievements and concrete experience. An obvious choice for recruitment!

However, what if you lack extensive ESL teaching experience?

Consider this:

ESL Teacher Resume Objective

CORRECT
Recent graduate in linguistics from the University of Delaware, eager ESL instructor with volunteer involvement in an ESL community program at Alberts High School, New York. Proficient in ESL teaching methods and classroom activation techniques. Notably, during university, led a peer tutoring group assisting 36 international ESL students.

INCORRECT

Novice ESL teacher adept at fostering communication, particularly skilled with children, and brimming with innovative classroom ideas.

The incorrect example lacks distinction, offering generic qualities unfit for an impactful resume.

Remember—when professional experience is limited, emphasize your fervent dedication to ESL teaching in your resume objective.

That’s precisely what the exemplary instance achieves.

And by incorporating relevant industry terminology and noteworthy volunteer experiences, you’ll surely ace the evaluation!

Display Your ESL Teaching Experience Effectively on Your Resume

 

The employment history segment of your ESL teaching resume holds paramount significance.

Why?

It functions akin to a college transcript—
It communicates to recruiters your accomplishments and proficiency level.

Therefore, be precise: spotlight your achievements and delineate the teaching settings you’ve engaged in.

Consider bolding the names of your past employers, particularly if they are prominent language school franchises or esteemed academic institutions.

Take a look at these two job descriptions extracted from ESL teacher resumes:

ESL Teacher Job Description for Resume

CORRECT

ESL Teacher
Victoria High School, Columbus, Ohio
2011–2013

– Instructed ESL to a diverse cohort of 230 students hailing from various cultural backgrounds within an international classroom setting.
– Devised a comprehensive suite of audio-visual educational materials to aid students in honing their language proficiency.
– Conceptualized and executed a year-long educational program catered to novice learners, culminating in an intermediate-level final examination (achieving 100% positive exam scores).
– Orchestrated supplementary extracurricular activities and provided after-school assistance to individual students.
– Mentored and offered constructive feedback to a newly appointed teaching assistant.

Key Achievement:

Recipient of the “Teacher of the Year” award in 2012.

INCORRECT

ESL Teacher

– Responsible for delivering English instruction to high school students.
– Conducted after-school tutoring sessions for individual students.
– Documented the progress of each student.
– Assisted an adjunct teacher with daily responsibilities.

The former example sets a high standard for an ESL teacher job description on a resume, boasting impactful resume action verbs, compelling numerical data, and a noteworthy achievement.

Contrarily, the latter example offers vague insights into the candidate’s role.

Now, what if you’re an ESL teacher with limited experience?

Focus and brainstorm:

Perhaps you’ve volunteered, engaged in internships, or provided tutoring services?

Even recent graduates possess relevant experience. Therefore—

Don’t overlook the work experience section on your entry-level ESL teacher resume.

Highlight activities, responsibilities, and accomplishments from your academic or personal endeavors that align with the demands of excelling as an ESL instructor.

Mention Your Education

What are the prerequisites for teaching English as a second language?

Well—

The qualifications vary significantly, but they are extensive:

Many public schools in the US typically mandate a bachelor’s degree in ESL teaching, with occasional requirements for a master’s degree.

Furthermore, numerous prospective ESL teaching candidates pursue state teacher certification to obtain licensure.

Taking a TESL exam is also common, as it equips candidates to instruct speakers of foreign languages in English-speaking nations.

Private language schools worldwide may necessitate certifications such as TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA.

Incorporate ESL Teacher Skills into Your Resume

 

As an ESL teacher poised to impart knowledge:

The determination? Checked!

The expertise?

One cannot simply navigate through explaining conditionals in reported speech without skill.

(Skill—checked.)

Your objective now is to delineate these competencies on your resume in the form of a comprehensive list of ESL teaching skills.

However, avoid indiscriminately listing every skill you possess. Instead—

Thoroughly review the job description, identify the skills they prioritize, and integrate them into your ESL teacher resume.

This approach tailors your application to the specific job opening, enhancing its appeal.

While executing this, consider various categories of skills:

Reflect on the soft skills pivotal in the classroom, recognizing their close correlation with communication abilities.

An engaging lesson devoid of digital resources?

That’s undoubtedly a significant oversight!

Moreover, given the prevalent online landscape in ESL teaching today, proficiency in hard skills such as computer literacy and technical acumen is imperative on your ESL teacher resume!

Striving to strike a harmonious balance? Explore these ESL teacher resume skills compilations:

ESL Teacher Resume Skills

• Impeccable command of English grammar in use
• Good understanding of non-verbal communication and body language
• Empathy
• Sensitivity towards cultural differences
• Ability to give constructive feedback
• Ability to accept feedback
• Creativity
• Coaching and mentoring
• Multitasking
• Adaptability
• Active listening
• Open-mindedness
• Individual and group counseling
• Managing student behavior
• Teamwork skills
• Positive attitude
• Patience
• Time management
• Relationship building
• Planning
• Record keeping
• Project management
• Public speaking and presentation
• Video editing
• Classroom management
• Creating tests and exams
• Development of curriculum
• Writing lessons plans
• State educational standards

Write an ESL Teacher Resume Cover Letter

Is a cover letter truly necessary for your resume?

Absolutely!

Surprisingly, over 50% of hiring managers still review them.

Here’s how to craft a compelling ESL teacher cover letter that clinches the job:

Start by conducting thorough research on the company or school you’re applying to.

Identify the specific company credentials or the full name of the school principal. Personalize your cover letter by addressing them directly.

Then, revisit the ESL teacher job description to pinpoint the most crucial needs of the hiring institution.

Before the final bell rings, ensure you’ve highlighted all the relevant skills, experiences, and achievements to address the company’s requirements.

Organize them into three paragraphs, concluding with a compelling call to action, and consider adding a postscript below your signature.

Truly, it’s a step worth taking!