Careers: Adult Education, ESL, Secondary Instruction

Also called: Academic Specialist, Adult Basic Education Instructor (ABE Instructor), Adult Basic Education Teacher (ABE Teacher), Adult Basic Studies Teacher, Adult Education Instructor

Careers: Adult Education, ESL, Secondary Instruction

Varies

estimated salary

Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.

 

 

  • Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
  • Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
  • Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Assign and grade class work and homework.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws or administrative policies.
  • Conduct classes, workshops, and demonstrations to teach principles, techniques, or methods in subjects, such as basic English language skills, life skills, and workforce entry skills.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.
  • Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests and issue grades in accordance with performance.
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
  • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Review instructional content, methods, and student evaluations to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations for course revision, development, or elimination.
  • Register, orient, and assess new students according to standards and procedures.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and professionals in the development of instructional programs.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
  • Select, order, and issue books, materials, and supplies for courses or projects.
  • Attend professional meetings, conferences, and workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons that promote learning, following approved curricula.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, contests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
  • Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  • Provide information, guidance, and preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) examination.
  • Select and schedule class times to ensure maximum attendance.
  • Train and assist tutors and community literacy volunteers.
  • Observe and evaluate the performance of other instructors.
  • Confer with leaders of government and community groups to coordinate student training or to find opportunities for students to fulfill curriculum requirements.
  • Participate in publicity planning, community awareness efforts, and student recruitment.
  • Advise students on internships, prospective employers, and job placement services.
  • Write grants to obtain program funding.
  • Write instructional articles on designated subjects.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 73% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 65% responded "Every day".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 47% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Coordinate or Lead Others — 50% responded "Extremely important".
  • Contact With Others — 59% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 45% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Physical Proximity — 58% responded "Moderately close (at arm's length)".
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Work Activities
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
  • Monitor student performance.
  • Evaluate student work.
  • Plan educational activities.
  • Apply multiple teaching methods.
  • Maintain student records.
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Knowledge

English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Clerical
  • Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills

Instructing
  • Teaching others how to do something.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop Hot Technology
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAP Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
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