The strengths of an ESL teacher are many, most of which can be found in any quality teacher, such as patience, a love of kids and learning, and creativity (to name a few). A few ESL specific strengths include curiosity and adaptability. As an ESL teacher, it is crucial to care about and invest in the lives and cultures of those you teach. Finding ways to connect their culture to classroom content and real-life situations not only deeply benefits them as individuals, it makes your lessons all the more engaging. A quality ESL teacher not only understands this, but embraces it.
Another strength of an ESL teacher is compassion. In a time where conversations around immigration are fraught with tension – when the narrative is often divisive – having compassion for the stories and journeys of the individuals you teach is essential. The students in your classroom may not have arrived there under the best of circumstances. Having a mindset of acceptance, of kindness and curiosity is of the utmost importance.