Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
Educational Instruction and Library
Classes serve out-of-school youth and adults who need literacy, basic academics, English as a second language, or a high school equivalency credential. Instructors watch how students work, judge strengths and limits, and then adapt methods and materials. Lessons mix lectures, discussion, demonstration, and time for students to practice, question, and investigate. Objectives are stated up front, and progress is reviewed so suggestions for improvement stay specific. Suits people who like teaching mixed-ability groups of adults and older youth and adjusting instruction as they learn what each person can already do.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$61'540
Median Wage Market Position
$61'540
What you might do
- Instruct adults in literacy, English, or equivalency
- Review students' work and suggest how to improve
- Adapt lessons to adults' abilities and interests
- Study each adult's abilities, limits, and interests
- Help adults stick with hard learning tasks
- Plan classes that mix teaching, practice, and discussion
Skills that matter
- Teaching literacy, ESL, and equivalency
- Reviewing adult students' written work
- Catching gaps during class discussion
- Encouraging adults through difficult tasks
- Tracking progress toward equivalency
- Choosing methods for mixed-ability adults
AI & the future of this role
Drill practice and basic content delivery may shift toward adaptive software, trimming some classroom hours. Motivation, cultural nuance, and real-time support for adult learners still tend to favor skilled instructors, so prospects look mixed rather than secure.
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Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details