Required qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in TESOL/TESL, English, linguistics, education, aviation or a related field.
- ESL credential: A recognized ESL teaching qualification, such as a TESOL/TEFL/TESL certificate (minimum 120 hours), CELTA, or a state ESL endorsement. A master's degree in TESOL may substitute.
- Aviation background: At least 3 years of aviation experience in one or more of these roles: military or civilian pilot, flight instructor, navigator or aircrew member, air traffic controller, or aircraft maintenance technician.
- Teaching experience: At least 1 year teaching English to adult non-native speakers, or teaching technical aviation subjects to adult learners. Experience teaching live online classes is strongly preferred.
- Language: Native or near-native English proficiency, with clear standard pronunciation and strong command of ICAO standard phraseology.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and keep a [Secret] security clearance, if required by the organization.
Preferred qualifications
- Master's degree in TESOL, applied linguistics or education.
- Current or former FAA pilot certificate (commercial or ATP), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII), FAA Air Traffic Control certificate, or FAA A&P mechanic certificate; or equivalent military rating.
- Experience as an ICAO English language proficiency rater or examiner, or training in ICAO Doc 9835 rating.
- Prior instruction of international military students (e.g., at DLIELC, IAAFA or a security-cooperation training program).
- Proficiency in a second language, especially Spanish, Arabic, French or Portuguese.
- Experience with online language teaching, learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle) or desktop flight-simulation tools used in virtual lessons.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of:
- Second-language acquisition theory and communicative, task-based ESL teaching methods.
- English grammar, phonetics and pronunciation, and how learners' first languages affect them.
- Aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight operations, meteorology, navigation and aviation safety culture.
- ICAO standard phraseology, FAA/ICAO radiotelephony procedures and the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements.
- Language testing and rating principles, including reliability and consistent scoring.
Skill in:
- Explaining technical aviation concepts in simple, graded English.
- Planning lessons, managing a classroom and keeping adult learners engaged.
- Building scenario-based exercises that mirror real cockpit and ATC communication.
- Teaching online: running video classes, breakout rooms, shared screens and digital whiteboards, and keeping remote learners engaged.
