Lifelong Learning Skills in Job Advertisements: The Case of English Language Teaching

Job advertisements are normally the first contact between recruiters and job seekers. Descriptions of the job and individual specifications are key to job seekers’ decision whether or not to apply. With the abundance of English language job listings, English language teachers seem to be quite fortunate in opportunities for landing a job. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that educational qualifications per se are no longer sufficient; teachers now need other attributes in order to attract recruiters’ attention. One such is an aptitude for lifelong learning which is based on complementarity of skills. Therefore, the identification of commonly sought lifelong learning skills (alongside educational qualifications) in job advertisements can give insight into areas language teachers and teacher training programs need to prioritize. Aiming to affect this, this research investigated 135 job listings on various job websites advertising for international positions. Results showed that a bachelor’s degree, even if in English Language Teaching (ELT), is insufficient for international hiring and that postgraduate certification has become the norm. Results also revealed certain themes related to lifelong learning skills including both those that are student-oriented (i.e. facilitation of learning, building confidence, assessment and evaluation of learning, critical thinking, and preparation of students for life), and those that are teacher-centric (i.e. professional development and engagement in research, technology, interpersonal communication, course development, time management, and ethics). Results are discussed, and recommendations are provided to help develop (pre-service) teachers’ lifelong learning skills