OPT Esl Teacher Jobs
ESL teacher jobs on OPT are available at language schools, K-12 districts, universities, and corporate training programs. Your OPT work authorization must match education-related roles, and STEM OPT extensions don't apply here. Most positions require TEFL or TESOL certification alongside your degree.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Title: English Language Learner Teacher (ESL Teacher)
Location: Great Hearts Western Hills Upper School
Reports To: Headmaster
FLSA Status: Salaried-Exempt
Duties and Responsibilities:
The ESL Teacher is responsible for:
Planning:
- Collaborating with the ESL Coordinator to develop lesson plans that provide support for emergent bilinguals with their academic English development.
- Collaborating with the ESL Coordinator to develop lesson plans that provide support for emergent bilinguals with their ELAR classwork.
- Collaborating with the ESL Coordinator with setting individualized classroom accommodations for identified emergent bilingual students.
- Consulting with the ESL coordinator and classroom teachers regarding individualized assistance needed for emergent bilingual students.
Teaching:
- Supporting emergent bilinguals with academic English development based on each individual’s English language proficiency.
- Instructing emergent bilinguals in ELAR subject matter in a small group pull out per classroom lesson plans.
- Assisting emergent bilinguals with appropriate course work through curriculum modification, accelerations, etc. as needed.
Program Coordination Assistance:
- Assisting with the implementation and coordination of identifying emergent bilingual students at all grade levels, including review of student data and testing of students.
- Assisting with the development and revision of bilingual and ESL curriculum as needed.
- Assisting with the planning and implementation of annual and reclassification assessments for emergent bilingual students.
- Assisting with data entering and analysis.
- Other duties as assigned.
Policy, Reports, and Law:
- Assisting with the compilation, maintenance, and filing of all physical and computerized reports, records, and other required documents.
- Assisting with training campus personnel and attending LPAC meetings as needed.
Education/Certification:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required
- Valid/Current Texas Teacher Certification required
- Valid Texas Bilingual Endorsement or ESL Supplemental
- Generalist/Core Content Area Certification that covers grade levels assigned is required
Required/Preferred Experience: 2 or more years of teaching experience preferred
Required/Preferred Skills:
- Proficient in the use of technology
- Great Hearts teachers must also demonstrate a commitment to and love for the liberal arts and a commitment to diversity
- Previous experience working with English Language Learners
ESL at Great Hearts
At Great Hearts, our English as a Second Language Teachers and Coordinators are integral members of our faculty and participate in all faculty-wide events and professional development. Their specialized expertise provides English learners assistance with grade-level curriculum using ESL strategies, enabling students to become academically successful. Great Hearts aims to serve all students including English learners in a manner that affirms and reflects their dignity and rightful participation within the larger student body and academy. Through small group and one-to-one support, the ESL team provides essential support throughout the school year and with annual state assessment preparation. Through the state mandated Language Proficiency Assessment Committee identification, monitoring and reclassification processes, ESL Coordinators and Teachers support all English learners at Great Hearts as they develop their academic English language to proficiency.
Physical Functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
US Work Authorization required
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Title: English Language Learner Teacher (ESL Teacher)
Location: Great Hearts Western Hills Upper School
Reports To: Headmaster
FLSA Status: Salaried-Exempt
Duties and Responsibilities:
The ESL Teacher is responsible for:
Planning:
- Collaborating with the ESL Coordinator to develop lesson plans that provide support for emergent bilinguals with their academic English development.
- Collaborating with the ESL Coordinator to develop lesson plans that provide support for emergent bilinguals with their ELAR classwork.
- Collaborating with the ESL Coordinator with setting individualized classroom accommodations for identified emergent bilingual students.
- Consulting with the ESL coordinator and classroom teachers regarding individualized assistance needed for emergent bilingual students.
Teaching:
- Supporting emergent bilinguals with academic English development based on each individual’s English language proficiency.
- Instructing emergent bilinguals in ELAR subject matter in a small group pull out per classroom lesson plans.
- Assisting emergent bilinguals with appropriate course work through curriculum modification, accelerations, etc. as needed.
Program Coordination Assistance:
- Assisting with the implementation and coordination of identifying emergent bilingual students at all grade levels, including review of student data and testing of students.
- Assisting with the development and revision of bilingual and ESL curriculum as needed.
- Assisting with the planning and implementation of annual and reclassification assessments for emergent bilingual students.
- Assisting with data entering and analysis.
- Other duties as assigned.
Policy, Reports, and Law:
- Assisting with the compilation, maintenance, and filing of all physical and computerized reports, records, and other required documents.
- Assisting with training campus personnel and attending LPAC meetings as needed.
Education/Certification:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required
- Valid/Current Texas Teacher Certification required
- Valid Texas Bilingual Endorsement or ESL Supplemental
- Generalist/Core Content Area Certification that covers grade levels assigned is required
Required/Preferred Experience: 2 or more years of teaching experience preferred
Required/Preferred Skills:
- Proficient in the use of technology
- Great Hearts teachers must also demonstrate a commitment to and love for the liberal arts and a commitment to diversity
- Previous experience working with English Language Learners
ESL at Great Hearts
At Great Hearts, our English as a Second Language Teachers and Coordinators are integral members of our faculty and participate in all faculty-wide events and professional development. Their specialized expertise provides English learners assistance with grade-level curriculum using ESL strategies, enabling students to become academically successful. Great Hearts aims to serve all students including English learners in a manner that affirms and reflects their dignity and rightful participation within the larger student body and academy. Through small group and one-to-one support, the ESL team provides essential support throughout the school year and with annual state assessment preparation. Through the state mandated Language Proficiency Assessment Committee identification, monitoring and reclassification processes, ESL Coordinators and Teachers support all English learners at Great Hearts as they develop their academic English language to proficiency.
Physical Functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
US Work Authorization required
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Esl Teacher
Target employers familiar with OPT
Language schools, international universities, and large K-12 districts hire OPT students regularly. These employers already understand work authorization timelines and are less likely to reject your application the moment they see you need sponsorship consideration.
Get your TEFL or TESOL certified before applying
Most ESL teaching roles require a recognized teaching certificate alongside your degree. Having a TEFL or TESOL credential before you apply removes a common objection and signals you're ready to step into the classroom without additional training.
Focus on roles tied to your degree field
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your degree. A linguistics or education degree maps cleanly to ESL teaching. If your degree is in another field, document the connection carefully before your DSO approves your OPT application.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage
Don't wait until your OPT is expiring to raise visa sponsorship. Bring it up once you have an offer in hand. School districts and universities with HR departments handle H-1B filings more routinely than small private language schools.
Track your 90-day unemployment limit carefully
OPT students accumulate unauthorized unemployment if between teaching roles. ESL work can be contract-based or seasonal, so gaps add up quickly. Keep records of your employment dates and consult your DSO if a gap is approaching 60 days.
Esl Teacher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does ESL teaching qualify as a valid OPT job?
Yes, ESL teaching qualifies for OPT as long as it's directly related to your degree. A degree in linguistics, education, TESOL, or a related field maps cleanly to the role. If your degree is in an unrelated field, you'll need to document the connection to your DSO before they approve your OPT application.
Can I work as a part-time ESL teacher on OPT?
Yes, part-time ESL teaching is permitted on pre-completion OPT, which allows up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. On post-completion OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid status. Falling below that threshold counts toward your 90-day unemployment limit, so track your hours carefully.
Do ESL teaching jobs typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
It depends on the employer type. Large public school districts, universities, and established language training companies are more likely to sponsor H-1B visas than small private tutoring centers. ESL roles do qualify as specialty occupations when tied to a relevant degree, so the path to H-1B sponsorship exists. You can find ESL roles at employers open to visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate.
Is a TEFL or TESOL certificate required to get an ESL teaching job on OPT?
Not universally, but most employers expect one. K-12 public school districts typically require state teaching licensure, while language schools and corporate ESL programs usually accept TEFL or TESOL certification. Having a recognized certificate alongside your degree strengthens your application significantly and reduces friction with employers who are already weighing your OPT authorization requirements.
Can I teach English online for a foreign company while on OPT?
No. OPT requires you to work for a U.S.-based employer or be self-employed in a way that meets USCIS guidelines. Working for a foreign company with no U.S. presence does not qualify for OPT. If you're doing freelance or contract ESL work, it must involve U.S.-based clients or a U.S. business entity to count toward your authorized practical training.