ESL in Maine? (Portland, Lewiston, Wells: find a job, school districts, contractor)

[MoonBeam33]

Good day all,

This may sound like an odd question, but it will help me a great deal in deciding where to move.

I am a student (adult student who went back to school in my 30's, raising two kids) who will be graduating next May. After I graduate I want to pursue my certificate/degree in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). I am currently considering the Southwest, as there is a need for those types of teachers, but I am wondering how great the need is in New England?

For a long time I considered Boston, but it is simply out of my reach financially. I have read that there is a fairly significant French speaking population in Maine, and I'm sure there is some immigration, but my big question - Is there really a need for ESL in Maine?

Thanks!

[shadowfax1997]

ESL is big in maine and there is a need. My school I work at has two ESL in the building and could use one more. Maine has large populations on people moving in from both africa and asia. You shoudl be able to find a job - just keep in mind almost all towns are cutting positions in their schools, so....

[flycessna]

Mass made a law so that schools are NOT required to teach english as a second language..

In Maine there is no such law.. The french immigrated to Maine decades ago to work in mills. I have never met a FRENCH only speaking individual..

We do however have our share of immigrants from Somalia.. The schools in Lewiston have been burdoned by them and there is a large need for ESL teachers however I am unaware of that need is being met??

[MoonBeam33]

Thanks for the replies and information. Please don't turn this into a political or public policy debate, I just want to know whether there is a need in certain areas or not. The United States will always have an immigrant population who need help learning English, regardless of how you feel about who they are or why they are here.

[tcrackly]

Good luck to you , Annie3. I live in Wells where there is an influx of Eastern Europeans for seasonal work. My CNA classmates included African and Asian immigrants, but they were also English speaking. I think many of us as Americans forget that every immigrant is not a ward of the state and many are hard working individuals. And unfortunately having a brown skin makes a person's newcomer status more obvious in Maine.
The need for ESL is here in the urban areas but not as much as in other states.

[lawmom]

Annie, first, kudos to you on your polite reply to the unfortunate politicization of this thread.

Second, I had a client a few years ago who did ESL, and I believe she was an independent contractor of sorts -- hired herself out to the more rural school districts. But as stated above, the need would be more in the urban areas.

[Pinetreestate]

2010 census results for Maine show that immigrants represent slightly more than 4% of the total population.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Portland, Maine has students with 26 different first languages. That should perk ESL teacher's interest.

[moughie]

Annie3, you should have no problem finding employment in the Portland School District. They will be lucky to have such a qulaified TESL teacher on board! I also know that USM has a TESL program, I believe Bart Weyand is in charge. You may wish to contact him!
Best of luck to you.