The Migration Information website paints an intriguing picture of Tennessee’s population trends and what they imply about the state’s linguistic diversity. As of 2011, 306,676 foreign-born immigrants lived in the state, making them 4.8 percent of the population. Of these immigrants, 48 percent were from Latin America in 2011. The top three foreign countries of origin represented in Tennessee are Mexico, India, and El Salvador, with others from Asia, Africa, and Europe, among other locales. While the foreign-born population increased by 93 percent between 2000 and 2011, the Tennessee-born population increased only by just over 9 percent in that time. These trends indicate Tennessee’s ongoing need for qualified teachers with TESOL and bilingual education backgrounds.
Tennessee TESOL Career Prospects
In “Study predicts dire teacher shortage in all grade levels in Tenn.,” Jane Robert reports that Tennessee is due to experience a severe shortage of qualified educators. Teachers of English as a Second Language are equally affected by this trend. The U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Shortage Area’s Nationwide Listing confirms this story, with statistics indicating that Tennessee has had a critical shortage of English, English as a Second Language, and English Language Learner teachers for every grade level since 2004.
Where to Find a TESOL Job in Tennessee
The Department of Education has partnered with Teachers-Teachers.com to list openings throughout the state.
Tennessee TESOL Teacher Resources
- Bilingual and TESOL professionals as well as students interested in the field comprise TNTESOL (Tennessee Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages), which is the state affiliate of the international TESOL organization.
- The Department of Education maintains a list of Title III – ESL Resources that covers state policies and options for students and educators. It also has a Migrant Education webpage.