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International visitors and immigrant students can benefit greatly from the aid of an ESL tutor. When classroom training in English as a Second Language just isn't enough, when a student is struggling with English, or when a visitor needs a lot of English fast, ESL tutoring can mean success. Most school districts in the United States are happy to keep a list of qualified ESL teachers and tutors. But what makes one "qualified"? In most areas, no qualifications are needed. Just tell the school that you are a tutor accepting ESL students, and they'll put you on the list, no questions asked. After all, they aren't hiring you. But knowing English isn't enough. If you are thinking of become an English tutor for immigrants, make sure you have a good curriculum, and prepare yourself to teach. Training in educational methods helps. Also useful is participation in local ESL programs, offered through school districts, churches, or community groups. As for curriculum, you can adapt the course materials used by the local schools in their ESL programs. You might also buy and sample one of the many ESL courses on CD and base your sessions on the lessons. This way, your pupil will have audio support outside of class, studying the printed materials you offer in combination with the program's recordings. See Multilingualbooks.com and the many offerings at Amazon.com for ideas. It can't hurt to become certified as a professional. Many colleges offer classes to prepare ESL teachers. A firm named I-to-I offers an online certification course for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language, leading to certification (see Onlinetefl.com). It's as valuable overseas as it is at home, opening doors to many more ESL teaching opportunities.
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ESL Tutor
