by Monica Lakhwani

Created on: April 21, 2009

Recently in the United States are our ESL teachers just starting to get recognition. With the influx of many immigrants more and more ESL certified teachers are needed. However, we still don't have the respect and recognition we deserve by most teachers not teaching English Language Learners.

There are teachers in school districts around the nation often believe that our job is easy and that we choose this field of teaching because the classroom setting is less stressful and more structured. Additionally, many believe that we have it easy when in contrast to their opinions our jobs throughout the day takes more effort, time and creativity. English Language Learners have to learn subjects which every student must learn. But these students have to learn yet adapt to more: they go through cultural changes, social changes, language changes, academic changes, etc... This makes it more difficult for the ESL teacher.

ESL teachers use more energy throughout the day. They have to make use of their speech, bodies, pictures, models, etc... to get their message across to students with limited or no English background. And this can be exhausting during the day! ESL teachers often have to repeat information for weeks even months at times before some students catch on. These teachers have to be highly creative and spend hours after school figuring out ways they can get through to their students.

Most, if not all, ESL teachers have a higher degree in education and are certified in teaching ESL. They love what they do as they have compassion for their students and a passion for teaching. One absolutely has to in order to work day to day with students coming from different countries and/or coming from emotional/mental backgrounds.

I am an ESL teacher and have worked in public school settings both as a middle school Language Arts teacher and as an ESL Science / English teacher. I can honestly say that I put greater hours currently than I did before teaching ESL. I have found that my co-teachers and I put in more energy throughout our day as well as spend hours conferencing about students and in how to handle their issues. My classroom is filled with approximately 22 students. Imagine...22 students may not seem like a lot. Now imagine...22 students from 12 different countries, with at least 7 different languages, limited English speaking ability, limited English reading ability, limited or no English writing ability, and/or limited or even no formal education! Our ELL students come into this country with high hopes of education and a successful life, but many don't realize that not all of them achieve their dreams. Among their other issues and changes they face, they also face the same peer pressure other students do...and we as ESL teachers handle them all! It is my deep belief that all teachers should be respected and valued in our culture. After all, it is the teacher who produces the lawyer, the doctor, the engineer, etc... in our society!

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