How to Become an English Teacher: A Detailed Step-By-Step Guide

Becoming an English teacher allows you to shape future minds by sharing your love and expertise in language and literature. English teachers help students become independent learners by equipping them with writing, speaking and listening skills.

Teaching English makes you more creative since it’s a fun and engaging subject. You have great job security while making a difference in students’ lives and sharing your love for learning. Let’s look at how to become an English teacher, what an English teacher does and the benefits.

English Teacher Job Definition

An English teacher helps students master the English language by becoming fluent and competent. With a deep understanding of grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation and vocabulary, they help students understand the language.

The teacher also creates lessons, tracks students’ progress, and communicates with the parents. English is taught in Elementary, Middle or High School and English teachers follow the set curriculum to execute the lessons.

As an English teacher, you’ll have the pleasure of teaching students the magic of poetry, literature, and comprehension.

Core Responsibilities of an English Teacher

An English teacher’s role extends beyond simply teaching grammar or literature. It involves guiding students to develop critical communication skills, fostering creativity, and encouraging analytical thinking. These responsibilities may vary depending on the grade level, curriculum, or institutional goals but generally include planning, teaching, mentoring, and extracurricular activities. 

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of an English teacher’s core responsibilities:

1. Lesson Planning and Assessment

Effective lesson planning and assessment are foundational to an English teacher’s role. Teachers must design lessons that cater to students’ diverse learning needs while aligning with curriculum standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing lesson plans tailored to the curriculum and students’ proficiency levels.
• Creating engaging activities that make learning interactive and enjoyable, such as debates, writing workshops, or group projects.
• Designing assessment tools, such as quizzes, essays, or oral presentations, to evaluate student understanding.
• Grading assignments promptly and providing constructive feedback to help students improve their written and spoken English skills.
• Analyzing assessment results to identify trends and adjust teaching methods for better outcomes.

2. Enhancing Written and Spoken English Skills

One of the primary responsibilities of an English teacher is helping students develop their communication abilities in both written and oral forms.

Examples of Activities:

• Encouraging students to deliver presentations to build their confidence and public speaking skills.
• Hosting interactive grammar, vocabulary, and spelling exercises to strengthen language mechanics.
• Assigning creative writing tasks, such as short stories, poems, or essays, to inspire imagination and improve writing proficiency.
• Facilitating peer-editing sessions to teach collaboration and critical evaluation of written work.

3. Tutoring Students

English teachers often provide additional support to students who struggle with the subject, ensuring no one is left behind.

Key Responsibilities:

• Offering one-on-one or small group tutoring sessions for students who need extra help with grammar, writing, or reading comprehension.
• Identifying individual learning challenges and developing personalized strategies to address them.
• Working closely with parents and school counselors to support students with special needs or language barriers.

4. Organizing and Leading Literature Discussions

Exploring English literature is a vital part of teaching, as it helps students develop critical thinking, comprehension, and analytical skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Introducing students to classic and contemporary works of English literature.
• Hosting discussions about themes, characters, and the historical or cultural context of literary works.
• Encouraging students to express their interpretations and supporting their ideas with textual evidence.
• Assigning comparative analysis of different authors or genres to broaden literary appreciation.

5. Fostering Problem-Solving and Analytical Abilities

English teachers play a significant role in nurturing students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are essential for academic and personal growth.

Examples of Activities:

• Guiding students to analyze texts, identify arguments, and evaluate different perspectives.
• Encouraging debates or structured arguments on topics related to literature, current events, or ethics.
• Teaching rhetorical strategies and persuasive writing techniques to enhance their analytical writing skills.

6. Supporting Extracurricular and Enrichment Activities

To make learning more holistic, English teachers often participate in or organize activities that extend beyond the classroom.

Examples:

• Coaching students for spelling bees, essay competitions, or public speaking events.
• Overseeing school publications, such as newspapers, literary magazines, or yearbooks, to foster creative expression.
• Organizing cultural events, such as drama performances or poetry readings, to celebrate English language and literature.

7. Encouraging Digital Literacy and Technology Use

Incorporating technology into teaching is increasingly important for modern classrooms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilizing digital platforms and tools to create engaging lessons and assignments.
• Teaching students how to research effectively online, evaluate credible sources, and cite references correctly.
• Encouraging the use of educational apps and software for interactive learning.

8. Mentoring and Guiding Students

As mentors, English teachers help shape students’ academic paths and personal growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Building strong teacher-student relationships based on trust and respect.
• Guiding students on how to set academic goals and develop effective study habits.
• Offering career advice or support for students interested in writing, journalism, or related fields.

9. Promoting a Love for Language and Learning

Finally, an English teacher’s overarching responsibility is to inspire students to appreciate the English language and its potential for self-expression and connection.

How This is Achieved:

• Creating a positive and inclusive classroom atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing themselves.
• Introducing diverse voices and perspectives through literature to broaden cultural understanding.
• Celebrating students’ progress and achievements to build confidence and motivation.

Comprehensive Skills for English Teachers

To excel in their roles, English teachers must possess diverse skills that blend expertise in the English language, teaching techniques, and interpersonal abilities. Below is an expanded breakdown of these critical skills, with examples and actionable insights.

1. English Language Proficiency

A deep understanding of the English language is the foundation of an effective English teacher. Mastery in this area enables teachers to deliver lessons confidently, correct errors, and inspire students to engage with the subject.

Key Elements:

Language Knowledge:

• Mastery of correct grammar, pronunciation, and syntax.
• Ability to explain complex concepts like sentence structure and punctuation.

Communication Skills:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication to clearly articulate lessons and provide detailed feedback.
• Ability to adapt communication for different proficiency levels, ensuring clarity for beginners and advanced learners alike.

Vocabulary Development:

• A robust vocabulary allows teachers to expose students to new words and phrases.
• Ability to teach contextual usage, helping students expand their word bank through real-life examples.

2. Teaching Abilities

Teaching is more than delivering content; it requires a mix of creativity, adaptability, and organization to make lessons engaging and effective.

Core Abilities Needed:

Patience:

• Explaining concepts multiple times and in different ways to suit varying learning styles.
• Remaining calm when students struggle to grasp challenging topics.

Creativity:

• Designing interactive activities like role-playing or storytelling to make lessons enjoyable.
• To enhance engagement, incorporate multimedia tools, such as videos or online games.

Confidence:

• Presenting lessons assertively, even when addressing difficult topics.
• Leading discussions and encouraging participation in the classroom.

Conflict Resolution:

• Managing disputes among students calmly and effectively, especially in middle and high school settings.
• Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected.

Quick Tips for Teachers:

• Use real-world examples to explain abstract concepts.
• Organize lessons with clear objectives and a structured flow.

3. Interpersonal Skills

Building strong relationships with students, colleagues, and parents is essential for creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

Key Interpersonal Qualities:

Social Awareness:

• Understanding students’ emotions and adjusting teaching methods accordingly.
• Being sensitive to cultural differences and tailoring lessons to respect diversity.

Empathy:

• Listening actively to students’ concerns and providing guidance.
• Creating a safe space where students feel valued and heard.

Classroom Insight:

• Reading the room to gauge student engagement and adjusting the lesson on the fly if necessary.
• Balancing the needs of individual students with the overall progress of the class.

Practical Applications:

• Greet students warmly and show genuine interest in their lives.
• Encourage collaborative projects to foster teamwork and peer interaction.

4. Organizational and Time Management Skills

Effective time management ensures lessons are delivered efficiently and classroom activities run smoothly.

Must-Have Skills:

Lesson Planning:

• Preparing detailed lesson plans with clear objectives and timelines.
• Ensuring enough time for instruction, practice, and review.

Assessment Management:

• Designing assignments that align with learning goals and grading them promptly.
• Keeping track of student progress to identify areas needing improvement.

5. Professional Development

Staying current with educational trends and continually improving your skills is vital for long-term success.

Suggestions for Growth:

• Attend workshops, webinars, or conferences on teaching English.
• Engage in peer observation and feedback sessions with fellow teachers.
• Pursue advanced certifications, such as TESOL or TEFL, to enhance your credentials.

How to Become an English Teacher

To become an English teacher, you must meet educational requirements, acquire the necessary work experience and pass your certification exam to acquire your teaching license. Here are the steps to becoming an English teacher:

Step 1: Get a Bachelor’s Degree

At the minimum, an English teacher needs to acquire a bachelor’s degree in English or Education. You can acquire a Bachelor’s degree in English with a teaching specialization. Additionaly, you can also get a bachelor’s degree in education with a specialization in English.

A bachelor’s degree in English teaching from an accredited institution equips you with the following:

• English teaching strategies
• Classroom management and instruction strategies for different students
• Techniques for assessing students’ progress

Once you complete your Bachelor’s degree classwork, you’ll need to take a teacher-training. This includes serving as a teaching aide to teach students in a classroom. The program takes a semester to complete, and you’re required to report to your teaching location and interact with students and other teachers.

Step 2: Obtain a Teacher’s Certification

Once you’re done with your degree and teaching internship, you’re eligible for your state’s teaching certification exam. The state certification tests your knowledge and professional skills.

The state exams may vary in different states. But, you can expect questions in:

• Literature
• Media literacy
• General knowledge of reading and writing
• Oral communication

Note: Some states have permanent or provisional reciprocity agreements on teacher certifications, allowing you to transfer your certification and apply for teaching positions in a different state.

Step 3: Pass the Background Check

Since teachers work with children, the government requires background checks to ensure students are in safe hands. Background checks for teachers identify any criminal records and other red flags.

School districts carry out federal criminal background checks on teaching applicants. To become an English teacher, you need to pass background checks which may also include employment history, credit reports and military records.

Step 4: Polish Your Resume

Polish and organize your resume to capture your academic qualifications, experience and skills. Your resume should include:

• Teaching skills such as excellent communication and organization
• Practical experiences such as developing lesson plans, evaluating student performance and grading
• Certifications and academic qualifications

Step 5: Apply for English Teaching Jobs

Ultimately, prospective teachers must apply for English teaching jobs to become English teachers. As you submit your application, showcase confidently that you’re the perfect fit for the teaching role. The job may require you to submit documents such as:

• Letters of reference
• Application letter for the role
• Application fee for the necessary background checks
• Exam transcripts from the university and schools attended

Alternative Certification for English Teachers

Alternative certification for teachers was introduced to help bridge the gap created by teacher shortage. Alternative certification has been accepted, and teachers have been earning their licenses through this route. With alternative routes, people who have not completed their coursework in education are licensed to teach in public schools.

In most states, if you have a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field, you can get alternative from an institution like Teachers of Tommorrow. A masters degree will also give you a competitive edge.

Reasons to Become a Teacher

Teaching is a true vocation. You get to inspire the next generation and influence young lives with visible results.

And, teachers have great job security as the National Education Association rates teaching job security rating at 4.4 out of 5. Teaching is a high-demand job, and currently, our country is facing a 300,000-teacher shortage. You should also consider becoming a teacher because:

Salary

An English teacher earns an average salary of $51,602. But, the salary may range between $42,007 and $71,369. The salary ranges based on education certifications, years spent teaching and even additional skills.

Career Outlook

Teaching has a clear progressive career path. As an English teacher, you can move and get a high school teaching position and earn slightly more. E.g. Moving from middle school to teach English in high School. You can also progress to becoming a department head, head teacher or other administrative roles. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a salary growth of 4% in the next four years.

Work Environment

Teachers work in a “positive” environment with lots of support, safety and organizational encouragement. Teaching is not a risky career; educators get support from their peers, accountability, and equity from school boards and districts.

Tips from Successful English Teachers

As you apply for an English teacher role, highlight what motivated you to become a teacher. You can also describe your teaching style and the teaching methods you use. Successful teachers also note that you must develop yourself daily to become a better version of yourself.

To be a successful English teacher, you can also:

Download English Teaching Apps

Apps and other technologies give you ideas for making English learning more exciting for your students. They give you new teaching ideas and give your students a break from the traditional classroom while still giving the right lessons in fun ways.

Learn from Other English Teachers

Observing other English teachers will help you improve your self-awareness and classroom management skills. You’ll also know how to create a conducive social climate in a socially diverse environment.

Keep Up to Date by Taking Courses

Additional courses help English teachers enhance their knowledge. They can help you improve your listening, speaking and reading skills and other skills that can make you a better English teacher.

Consider Getting a TEFL/TESOL/ ESOL Certificate

English teachers should consider getting TESOL certified. This qualifies them to teach non-native English speakers living in English-speaking countries like the USA. TEFL would be ideal if you’d like to teach English in non-native-speaking countries like China or Brazil.

ESOL( English as a Second Language) certification is ideal for teachers who intend to work with students who speak multiple languages and are learning Enlish as a third or fourth language.

Gain Teaching Experience

Teaching experience will help you build your confidence, become a better English teacher and even land the job faster. You can increase your experience by practising public speaking, teaching online and even volunteering in schools. 

Make the Most of Online Resources for Teachers

You can get lots of free material online that will give you additional knowledge and free skills. From ed-Tech websites to publications, ensure you keep yourself informed to stand out.

Take the Next Step to Your English Teaching Career

English teachers have their summers off, enjoy a flexible working schedule and have solid and secure careers. What’s more, they get to impact young lives and introduce the beautiful world of poetry, literature and communication.

Becoming an English teacher has now been made easier by our certifications. As we’ve seen, you need to obtain an English teacher’s certification after your Bachelor’s degree. Contact us today, and let us guide you on the English teacher certification and help you become an English teacher.