How to Become an Adult Education Instructor
Written by:
Wilson College
• Aug 21, 2024
How to Become an Adult Education Instructor
Adult education instructors help adult students establish the skills they need to succeed. According to the National Literacy Institute, 21% of adults in the U.S. are illiterate, and of those who are literate, 54% have literacy skills below the sixth-grade level. While some of those who aren’t able to read and write in English were born outside of the country, these statistics nevertheless encourage an investment in literacy and adult learning nationwide.
Individuals who are interested in becoming adult education instructors can benefit from an advanced education, such as Master of Education (MEd) . Whether candidates are transitioning from a different career into education or are experienced educators, becoming an adult education instructor can be a great way to achieve their own professional goals and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
What Does an Adult Education Instructor Do?
Adult education instructors may teach a wide range of subjects and topics, such as reading and writing; English as a second language (ESL); or other subjects, such as math and science. Some instructors focus on a specialized field or trade and help students develop technical skills for pursuing a role. Whether their students are trying to complete their GED diploma and enter the workforce or are looking to upskill and advance in their current careers, adult education instructors can play a fundamental role in their students’ futures.
Adult education instructors traditionally work in classrooms in various settings. These may include public or private schools, community colleges, correctional facilities, and adult schools. They may also be self-employed and teach online courses or provide private tutoring.
In addition to teaching, adult education instructors may be tasked with the following duties:
- Creating lesson plans and providing learning materials
- Preparing and grading tests or assignments
- Evaluating students’ progress
- Advising students on additional education or certification
- Providing workplace training
Steps to Become an Adult Education Instructor
Whether an individual is beginning a career in education or making a career change into teaching , the process to become an adult education instructor can vary.
Step 1: Earn a Degree
The degree level or experience required to become an adult education instructor varies depending on the field or subject matter being taught.
For those teaching technical trades, they may not have a degree but are required to hold a certification in their trade, teaching certifications, and extensive work experience. Other adult education instructors abide by their state’s regulations, which require at minimum a bachelor’s degree before earning a teaching certification. Many educators will also choose to earn an MEd degree prior to their teaching certification to build a more in-depth knowledge base and teaching foundation.
Step 2: Develop Key Skills
The education field can be both challenging and fulfilling. Learning how to teach effectively requires patience and strong skills. By understanding that students have different learning styles, adult education instructors can create lesson plans that best suit their classes. Tasked with both creating and delivering lessons, instructors must develop key communication and organizational skills to properly educate their students.
Step 3: Gain Work Experience
Work experience can vary dramatically from one field of adult education to another. Trade professionals may have extensive work experience prior to making the transition to instruction, while adult education instructors focusing on ESL may begin teaching directly after completing their own education and earning certification. In other cases, many adult education instructors will seek out an internship or part-time work as an instructor to begin building their own teaching foundation.
Step 4: Earn Certifications
Certification requirements for instructors may vary by area of education and state. Generally, earning a teaching certification requires that instructors have completed at minimum a bachelor’s degree or are fully certified within their trade and that they have accumulated experience. Educators can also seek out industry certifications or advanced certifications to build experience and increase the level of autonomy they have in their career.
Salary and Job Outlook for Adult Education Instructors
Adult education instructors play a valuable role in helping their students build new skills and work toward their career goals. Adult basic education, secondary education, and ESL teachers had a median annual salary of $60,560 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salaries can change depending on the level of education, work experience, and job location.
Additionally, as adult education instructors retire or move on to different careers, the BLS reports that approximately 4,200 openings for adult basic education, secondary education, and ESL teachers are expected to come available each year between 2022 and 2032.
Shape a Fulfilling Career as an Adult Education Instructor
Making the transition to becoming an adult education instructor can be a great opportunity for graduates to both build a fulfilling career for themselves and help their students work toward their own career goals. By pursuing an advanced degree, such as the MEd from Wilson College Online , educators can build the skills and foundation they need to become qualified instructors.
The fully online MEd program prioritizes a personal learning environment, is taught by attentive faculty, and values both a sense of belonging for students and an ethical education style. Discover how you can begin building a career as an adult education instructor.
Recommended Readings
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Education?
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Special Education?
Sources:
Literacy Information and Communication System, Adult Education Teacher Competencies
National Literacy Institute, Literacy Statistics 2024-2025 (Where We Are Now)
New York State Education Department, Adult Education Program Teacher Requirements
ProPublica, “America’s Adult Education System Is Broken. Here’s How Experts Say We Can Fix It.”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Adult Basic and Secondary Education and ESL Teachers
