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Nature of the Work Adult literacy and remedial education teachers instruct adults and out-of-school youths in reading, writing, speaking English, and performing elementary mathematical calculations—basic skills that equip them to solve problems well enough to become active participants in our society, to hold a job, and to further their education. The instruction provided by these teachers can be divided into three principle categories: remedial or adult basic education (ABE) is geared toward adults whose skills are either at or below an eighth-grade level; adult secondary education (ASE) is geared towards students who wish to obtain their General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other high school equivalency credential; and English literacy instruction for adults with limited proficiency in English. Traditionally, the students in these adult education classes have been primarily those who did not graduate high school or who passed through school without acquiring the knowledge needed to meet their educational goals or to participate fully in today's high-skill society. Increasingly, however, students in these classes are immigrants or other people whose native language is not English. Educators who work with adult English-language learners are usually called teachers of English as a second language (ESL) or teachers of English to speakers of other languages (ESOL). Remedial education teachers, more commonly called adult basic education teachers, teach basic academic courses in mathematics, languages, history, reading, writing, science, and other areas, using instructional methods geared toward adult learning. They teach these subjects to students 16 years of age and older who demonstrate the need to increase their skills in one or more of the subject areas mentioned. Classes are taught to appeal to a variety of learning styles and usually include large-group, small-group, and one-on-one instruction. Because the students often are at different proficiency levels for different subjects, adult basic education teachers must make individual assessments of each student's abilities beforehand. In many programs, the assessment is used to develop an individualized education plan for each student. Teachers are required to evaluate students periodically to determine their progress and potential for advancement to the next level. Teachers in remedial or adult basic education may have to assist students in acquiring effective study skills and the self-confidence they need to reenter an academic environment. Teachers also may encounter students with a learning or physical disability that requires additional expertise. Teachers should possess an understanding of how to help these students achieve their goals, but they also may need to have the knowledge to detect challenges their students may have and provide them with access to a broader system of additional services that are required to address their challenges. For students who wish to get a GED credential in order to get a job or qualify for postsecondary education, adult secondary education, or GED, teachers provide help in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the test. The GED tests students in subject areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, while at the same time measuring students' communication, information-processing, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. The emphasis in class is on acquiring the knowledge needed to pass the GED test, as well as preparing students for success in further educational endeavors. ESOL teachers help adults to speak, listen, read, and write in English, often in the context of real-life situations to promote learning. More advanced students may concentrate on writing and conversational skills or focus on learning more academic or job-related communication skills. ESOL teachers teach adults who possess a wide range of cultures and abilities and who speak a variety of languages. Some of their students have a college degree and many advance quickly through the program owing to a variety of factors, such as their age, previous language experience, educational background, and native language. Others may need additional time due to these same factors. Because the teacher and students often do not share a common language, creativity is an important part of fostering communication in the classroom and achieving learning goals. All adult literacy and remedial teachers must prepare lessons beforehand, do any related paperwork, and stay current in their fields. Attendance for students is mostly voluntary and course work is rarely graded. Many teachers also must learn the latest uses for computers in the classroom, as computers are increasingly being used to supplement instruction in basic skills and in teaching ESOL.
Common Tasks
| Task | Level of Importance | Frequency |
| Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests. |  4.44 | | | Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement. |  4.39 | | | Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. |  4.38 | | | Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. | 4.38 | | | Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws or administrative policies. |  4.29 | | | Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities. | 4.29 | | | Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students. |  4.21 | | | 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. |  4.19 | | | Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks. |  4.16 | | | Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible. |  3.94 | | | Assign and grade class work and homework. |  3.92 | | | Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics. | 3.92 | | | Provide information, guidance, and preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) examination. | 3.92 | | | Register, orient, and assess new students according to standards and procedures. |  3.91 | | | Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help. |  3.89 | | | Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests, and issue grades in accordance with performance. |  3.83 | | | Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations. |  3.77 | | | Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools. |  3.71 | | | Guide and counsel students with adjustment and/or academic problems, or special academic interests. |  3.62 | | | Enforce administration policies and rules governing students. |  3.61 | | | Review instructional content, methods, and student evaluations to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations for course revision, development, or elimination. |  3.60 | | | Select and schedule class times to ensure maximum attendance. |  3.55 | | | Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons that promote learning, following approved curricula. |  3.52 | | | Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress. |  3.47 | | | Attend professional meetings, conferences, and workshops in order to maintain and improve professional competence. |  3.46 | | | Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors. |  3.43 | | | Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration. |  3.40 | | | Select, order, and issue books, materials, and supplies for courses or projects. |  3.39 | | | Collaborate with other teachers and professionals in the development of instructional programs. |  3.31 | | | Participate in publicity planning, community awareness efforts, and student recruitment. |  3.27 | | | Write grants to obtain program funding. |  3.26 | | | Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required. |  3.23 | | | Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms. |  3.20 | | | Train and assist tutors and community literacy volunteers. | 3.20 | | | Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, contests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities. |  3.16 | | | Advise students on internships, prospective employers, and job placement services. |  3.11 | | | Confer with leaders of government and community groups to coordinate student training or to find opportunities for students to fulfill curriculum requirements. |  3.06 | | | Observe and evaluate the performance of other instructors. |  2.90 | | | Write instructional articles on designated subjects. |  2.85 | |
Work Activities
| | Importance | | Training and Teaching Others | [ ? ] |  4.47 | | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | [ ? ] |  4.26 | | Coaching and Developing Others | [ ? ] |  4.14 | | Getting Information | [ ? ] |  4.02 | | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | [ ? ] |  3.88 | | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | [ ? ] |  3.86 | | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | [ ? ] | 3.86 | | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | [ ? ] |  3.76 | | Assisting and Caring for Others | [ ? ] | 3.71 | | Thinking Creatively | [ ? ] |  3.68 | | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | [ ? ] |  3.65 | | Developing Objectives and Strategies | [ ? ] |  3.64 | | Documenting/Recording Information | [ ? ] | 3.64 | | Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | [ ? ] |  3.58 | | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | [ ? ] |  3.53 | | Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People | [ ? ] |  3.48 | | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | [ ? ] | 3.47 | | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | [ ? ] |  3.41 | | Scheduling Work and Activities | [ ? ] |  3.32 | | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others | [ ? ] |  3.29 | | Developing and Building Teams | [ ? ] |  3.21 | | Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | [ ? ] |  3.17 | | Interacting With Computers | [ ? ] |  3.14 | | Processing Information | [ ? ] |  3.13 | | Performing Administrative Activities | [ ? ] |  3.08 | | Provide Consultation and Advice to Others | [ ? ] |  2.99 | | Analyzing Data or Information | [ ? ] |  2.92 | | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others | [ ? ] |  2.84 | | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates | [ ? ] |  2.61 | | Selling or Influencing Others | [ ? ] |  2.46 | | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | [ ? ] |  2.41 | | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material | [ ? ] |  2.07 | | Performing General Physical Activities | [ ? ] |  2.06 | | Monitoring and Controlling Resources | [ ? ] |  2.00 | | Handling and Moving Objects | [ ? ] |  1.94 | | Controlling Machines and Processes | [ ? ] |  1.74 | | Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.55 | | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.47 | | Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.42 | | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.39 | | Staffing Organizational Units | [ ? ] |  1.34 |
| | | Level | | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | [ ? ] |  5.23 | | Training and Teaching Others | [ ? ] |  4.89 | | Coaching and Developing Others | [ ? ] |  4.88 | | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | [ ? ] |  4.72 | | Assisting and Caring for Others | [ ? ] |  4.23 | | Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | [ ? ] |  4.13 | | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | [ ? ] | 4.13 | | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | [ ? ] | 4.13 | | Thinking Creatively | [ ? ] |  4.10 | | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | [ ? ] |  4.07 | | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | [ ? ] |  3.98 | | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | [ ? ] |  3.90 | | Getting Information | [ ? ] |  3.87 | | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | [ ? ] |  3.76 | | Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People | [ ? ] |  3.74 | | Scheduling Work and Activities | [ ? ] |  3.64 | | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others | [ ? ] |  3.57 | | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | [ ? ] |  3.54 | | Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | [ ? ] |  3.51 | | Developing Objectives and Strategies | [ ? ] |  3.46 | | Processing Information | [ ? ] |  3.44 | | Provide Consultation and Advice to Others | [ ? ] |  3.38 | | Documenting/Recording Information | [ ? ] |  3.23 | | Analyzing Data or Information | [ ? ] |  3.13 | | Developing and Building Teams | [ ? ] |  3.10 | | Performing Administrative Activities | [ ? ] |  3.03 | | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others | [ ? ] |  2.96 | | Interacting With Computers | [ ? ] |  2.70 | | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates | [ ? ] |  2.59 | | Selling or Influencing Others | [ ? ] |  2.35 | | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | [ ? ] |  2.30 | | Handling and Moving Objects | [ ? ] |  2.05 | | Monitoring and Controlling Resources | [ ? ] |  1.87 | | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material | [ ? ] |  1.83 | | Performing General Physical Activities | [ ? ] |  1.40 | | Controlling Machines and Processes | [ ? ] |  1.20 | | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment | [ ? ] |  0.87 | | Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment | [ ? ] |  0.85 | | Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment | [ ? ] |  0.70 | | Staffing Organizational Units | [ ? ] |  0.63 | | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | [ ? ] |  0.61 |
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