During the last year and a half it has becoming increasingly difficult to find work, especially full time work, such as in-sessional teaching roles. Often the world of ESOL & EAP is divided between summer courses, hourly paid contracts or part time contracts. Disappointingly, these opportunities are few and far between, and universities and colleges are outsourcing contracts to education centres which only offer a small hourly rate, no accounting for prep time and not enough for many people to sustain themselves on.
Many education providers blame COVID or a lack of funding. Coupled with the economic situation, people are less likely to leave their jobs, meaning less opportunities are available. Do not give up hope, however! There are still some reputable employers who are offering ESOL & EAP positions. Some roles may not be advertised often, so it is good practice to check these sites often. Below are the websites I frequent in between freelance work.
Useful for anyone in academia, or those pursuing doctoral studies in any area. Many pre & in-sessional positions are advertised, but you need to be quick.
Standing for the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes, a plethora of EAP jobs are advertised here throughout the year. You can also join their society for a fee, and receive regular updates on jobs and projects throughout the academic year.
A well known organisation, offering a range of courses for adult learners, including ESOL. One of my colleagues worked here to supplement other roles. Delivery is online due to the pandemic.
Local council websites
Depending on your area, local councils may advertise ESOL roles, usually in association with a charity or community outreach programme. These are particularly advantageous if you speak a second language and could offer translation or interpreting services.
A number of local and international jobs are advertised here, from teaching to overseas EFL jobs. There is a lot of variety, and if you have enough experience, there are some attractive salaries listed for those plum jobs.
International schools
International schools often hire EAP or EAL practitioners to prepare students for university entry or to help with general English in a teaching role. Depending on your area, a quick search will identify such schools close by.
It is certainly a difficult time to be seeking or changing jobs. I wish all my readers the best of luck. If you have any further ideas for job seekers please leave them in the comments below.
Ms A Tutoring Services 