Do you have a passion for the written word? Or, maybe you absolutely adore reading the classics or even diagramming sentences. If any of this sounds like you, you might be considering becoming an English teacher. After all, as an English teacher, you get to write and read on a regular basis while also helping to shape the young minds of  future generations.  At the same time, before you determine if this is the right job for you, it is a good idea to thoroughly explore the pros and cons of becoming an English teacher.

Pro:  You Get to Read Many Great Stories

One obvious pro of becoming an English teacher is the fact that you get to read many great stories! In most English classes, you will read 4 or more novels throughout the school year. For those who love to read, having the opportunity to read these novels and explore them further with others can be quite the thrill.

Con:  You Don’t Always Get to Read What You Want to Read

Although reading novels throughout the year with your students can be a joy, it can also be a real drag if you do not like the novels you are reading. In many cases, you will not get to decide upon the novels that you have to read with your class. Usually, the district will supply you with a list of books to select from or you will have to agree upon a novel with the other teachers in your department. If the book you are called upon to read is one that you find to be boring, getting through the novel with your class can be quite difficult.

Pro: Significantly Impacting the Education of Your Students

If you are someone who really wants to play a major role in the education of the next generation, becoming an English teacher is a great path to take. After all, the reading and writing skills your students acquire in your classroom will go a long way toward helping them be successful in other subjects as well. No matter what subject your students is studying, he or she will certainly need to utilize the reading and writing skills that were gained in your classroom.

Con:  Late Night Grading Sessions

A definite downside to becoming an English teacher is the fact that grading the assignments can be quite time consuming. Obviously, the only way your students can become competent writers is to write on a regular basis and to receive feedback from you. Therefore, as an English teacher, you will likely find yourself grading essays and other written assignments well beyond the scheduled workday. Similarly, you may need to read several novels over the summer or throughout the school year in order to determine which one you will share with the class and in order to create lesson plans.

Put simply, if you are interested in becoming an English teacher, you should anticipate putting in a great deal of your own time in order to do the job successfully.