ESL Teacher Resume—Samples for ESL Teaching Jobs

Abstract: ESL teachers teach English as a second language, and need to show the ability to build genuine relationships with students, understanding of the student's cultural backgrounds and their individual needs, as well as coming up with engaging ways to involve the students.

1.5 billion people speak English. What does that mean? That 6 billion people could be willing to pay to have you teach them! It also means that you could be doing it in pretty much any place in the world that you always wanted to visit.

No matter whether you’re just beginning your journey, or you’ve already trained legions of native speakers, this ESL teacher resume guide will help you get exactly the job you want.

In this guide:

• An ESL teacher resume sample that gets the interview. 
• Tips on building your job description for maximum effect.
• Expert hints to increase the chances of your ESL teacher job application.

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ESL Teacher Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

That’s a top-of-the-class ESL teacher resume. Here’s how to write your own:

1. Use a Professional Resume Format

Life is about first impressions. Of course, we are often wrong. The problem here is, with your resume, you don’t get second chances. Once it’s in the bin, it’s in the bin. It is therefore imperative that your resume layout is easily skimmable and neat.

That’s easy, if you apply a professional resume format:

ESL Teacher Resume Format

• In terms of resume length, 1-page is enough. Two-page resumes work only if you have years of experience under your belt.
• Use 1-inch margins and a little white space.
• Choose a common resume font like a 10–12pt Garamond or Calibri.
• Order your resume sections: Heading, Objective, Work History, Education and Skills.
• List past jobs in reverse-chronological sequence.
• Use a basic resume template, they’re ATS-friendly.
• PDF resumes protect the formatting.

Don’t add an address to your resume. In your resume header list your telephone number, e-mail address and LinkedIn profile only.

2. Spark Their Curiosity With Your ESL Teacher Resume Objective

If you had to complete your interview on an escalator by the time you reached the top, what would you say? That’s the best way to think about your resume profile. What would really convince someone to hire you?

Construct an attention snatching professional summary by answering each of the following questions concisely:

1. Who are you, what’s your experience (expressed as years+)?
2. What’s your most unique achievement?
3. What’s your most impressive/relevant achievement?
4. What can you do for this employer?

4-6 lines is plenty. Draw their attention and make them read the rest of your ESL teachingl resume.

ESL Teacher Resume Summary—Example

Don’t hide behind empty statements and generalizations. Refer to real achievements, and hit them with your strongest suit.

If you’re applying for your first job ever or writing a career change resume, focus on highlighting your transferable skills and showing your future employer how you can help. See these career objective examples:

ESL Teacher Resume Objective—Example

Expert Hint: How to make starting a resume easier? It is by far easiest to do this once you have completed the other sections of your resume for ESL teacher jobs, especially your job description.

3. Leave an Impact With Your Job Description and Skills

If they’re bored they won’t remember you, leave enough of an impression on them into giving you a job. Therefore, don’t write a shopping list! A shopping list resume is what we call ones that only list responsibilities and duties of the job, without giving any perspective or achievements.

Sure, you’re an ESL teacher, you taught and helped develop non native students' language. How many of them in a class? How many classes a day? How well did you do? Did you get commended for anything? How did you stand out? What was a key moment for a struggling student? Were you able to build upon an existing curriculum. When you tell them what you did at the previous job, they can imagine what you can do for them.

Start each line with strong resume words and use the STAR (Situation-Task-Action-Result) formula to encourage yout.

ESL Teacher Resume Job Description

For the things that require a mention, but don’t deserve a whole line, there’s an answer. You can list them in a resume skills section, right under your work experience, or if you like, in a sidebar (in those fancy modern resumes!)

ESL Teacher Skills for Resume

• Ability to accept / give constructive feedback
• Classroom management
• Coaching and mentoring
• Creating tests and exams
• Development of curriculum
• Impeccable command of English grammar in use
• Individual and group counselling
• Language arts
• Lesson plans
• Public speaking and presentation
• Record keeping
• State educational standards
• Student learning
• Teamwork skills
• Time management
• Writing lessons plans
• Active listening

• Adaptability
• Attention to detail
• Cheerful attitude
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Computer skills
• Conflict resolution
• Creativity
• Customer service
• Data entry
• Detail-oriented
• Efficiency
• Empathy
• Good understanding of non-verbal communication and body language
• Initiative
• Managing student behaviour / expectations
• Multi-tasking
• Multitasking
• Open-mindedness
• Organization
• Patience
• Positive attitude
• Problem solving
• Relationship building
• Sensitivity towards cultural differences
• State educational standards
• Student learning
• Teamwork
• Time management

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4. Include Your Education Section

Unless the job posting calls for specific education, you can leave the education section until last. Your prior work experience and skill set are more of an argument for hiring you than your high school diploma. For your highest education level, just list the certification type, school name, and graduation date.

Here’s an example of how to add your education on a resume:

ESL Teacher Resume Sample—Education

Expert Hint: If you are writing a resume with no experience in ESL teaching, you can add relevant coursework or scholarships to your resume, too.

5. Include Added Sections to Your ESL Teacher Resume 

If you still have some free space on your resume, make use of it and add some extra resume sections. Only impart information which is relevant to the position, or one that will show off your adaptability, multitasking and responsibility.

These extra sections can be relevant:

• Awards
• Certifications
• Foreign Languages
• Hobbies, Activities, and Interests
• Volunteering
• Professional References
• Skills—if you haven’t included them as part of your other sections

Compare these two ESL teacher resume examples:

ESL Teacher Resume—Extra Sections

One last resume tip.

If the employer asks for one (they probably will), write a ESL teacher cover letter. Let someone else proofread your application to find any mistakes, and you’re good to go!

Expert Hint: Make sure to personalize your application to the company and its culture and write a targeted resume.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

Remember the following pointers:

• Stick to the resume format guidelines—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
• Sprinkle your ESL teacher job description with achievements and numbers.
• Split up certifications, skills and other bonus sections properly. 
• Write a ESL teacher cover letter. 

Did you find our ESL teacher resume examples helpful? Did we help you get your resume for ESL teacher jobs right? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.