Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor Career

Job Description: 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.


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Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor Career

What Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors do:

  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • 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.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Attend professional meetings, conferences, and workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons that promote learning, following approved curricula.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws or administrative policies.
  • Assign and grade class work and homework.
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • 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.
  • Review instructional content, methods, and student evaluations to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations for course revision, development, or elimination.
  • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Select, order, and issue books, materials, and supplies for courses or projects.
  • Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests and issue grades in accordance with performance.
  • Register, orient, and assess new students according to standards and procedures.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and professionals in the development of instructional programs.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, contests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
  • Advise students on internships, prospective employers, and job placement services.
  • Provide information, guidance, and preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) examination.
  • Select and schedule class times to ensure maximum attendance.
  • Participate in publicity planning, community awareness efforts, and student recruitment.
  • Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  • 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.
  • Train and assist tutors and community literacy volunteers.
  • Write grants to obtain program funding.
  • Write instructional articles on designated subjects.

What work activities are most important?

Importance 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.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Holland Code Chart for an Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor