Education and libraries
Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors
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.
Median pay
$61,540
Growth to 2035
−14%
declining
Openings a year
3,800
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Exposure to disease
Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors: 14% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Adult Basic Education Instructor (ABE Instructor) · Adult Basic Education Teacher (ABE Teacher) · Adult Education Instructor · Adult Education Teacher · ESL Instructor (English as a Second Language Instructor) · ESL Teacher (English as a Second Language Teacher) · ESOL Teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher) · GED Instructor (General Educational Development Instructor)
Outlook and AI
Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors held 41,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 35,400 by 2035 (−14%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Demand change - share decreases as enrollment rates in ABE and ASE classes are expected to decline due to fewer high school dropouts, which will reduce the need for these types of teachers.
Compare with
- Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors vs. Elementary school teacher
- Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors vs. High school teacher
- Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors vs. Tutor
- Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors vs. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
- Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors vs. Special education teachers, middle school
- Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors vs. Special education teachers, secondary school
- Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors vs. Kindergarten teachers, except special education