A journey along a new path
When I first wrote my first article over a year ago, I shared the story of my decision to transition from my career (ESL) educator to pursue a path in education design from my career as a second language (ESL) educator. It was December 2023, but a lot has evolved since. This is the story of my journey from an ESL teacher to an education designer.
The pandemic has dramatically changed the educational environment and, as I knew it, began to question the long-term sustainability of ESL education. I have been working closely with adult learners for years to help them achieve their language goals, but I knew that new directions were needed. I wanted to continue supporting learners in a more scalable, flexible and tailored way of teaching.
discovery
During this time I have unveiled the possibilities of educational design. The idea of mixing learning theory, content development and technology has sparked something for me. It felt like a natural extension of the skills I had already built, and a natural extension of the bridge I was looking for between education and technology. Educational design has provided me with the opportunity to create engaging and impactful learning experiences that could reach far more people than traditional classrooms.
I’m going back to school to build my foundation
To prepare for this new direction, I decided to go back to school and formally study the field. I have enrolled in the “Elearning and Educational Design Certificate” program at the University of Washington (USA). This was completed in June 2024. The programme has become a pivotal moment in my journey. I have a solid understanding of basic learning theory, learned how to design with the learner’s experience in mind, and built practical skills using industry-standard authoring tools.
One takeaway from this program focused on user-centric design. This is an approach that I already know. As an independent ESL instructor working with adult professionals, I have designed lessons tailored to the specific needs, background and goals of learners. Without realizing it, I was practicing designs that focused on learners all the time. It was positive to see how my experience aligned with the principles of ID and gave me more confidence in my ability to adapt to this new field.
Building skills and portfolio from scratch
After graduating from the program, you weren’t ready to start working or consulting right away. Educational design is a practical field and I had an academic foundation, but I had to build practical skills with a whole new tool for me. Being familiar with authoring tools marked a significant deviation from the traditional educational materials I used. I spent several months studying experimenting, developing projects, and building a complete course from scratch.
At the same time, I was designing and developing professional websites to showcase my work. I built it from scratch and developed five full ESL courses and one non-ESL course at the same time to highlight my scope. Although content development and web design juggling was not easy, it was an important part of presenting yourself as a trustworthy educational designer. My goal was to create a cohesive digital space that reflected both my teaching approach and my technical capabilities.
The role of AI in my design process
Another important aspect of my learning journey is understanding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational design. We live in an age where technology is rapidly advancing, and AI is no longer a futuristic concept. This is a necessary tool. When I designed and created my courses and portfolios, I spent time mastering the integration of AI into the design process to increase efficiency and creativity. And all of this didn’t happen overnight. Just as I learn all the tools, it took me a while to understand how to use AI responsibly and creatively, from brainstorming content ideas to streamline visual design, and even helping with accessibility.
Now I regularly use AI as my workflow assistant. It helps create ideas, organizations, support, and improves interactivity for learners. Rather than replacing the work I do, it enhances my capabilities, allows me to work more efficiently and focus on the deeper aspects of my design. AI believes that every new education designer should take his time to learn. Not only as a trend, but also as an important skill related to this field.
How my ESL background enhances my ID practice
At first, during my transition from ESL teacher to education designer, I was worried that my background would narrow my opportunities. Educational design extends to industry far beyond language education. What I’ve learned is that my ESL experience is a strength. They worked with adult learners to show us how to effectively construct information, simplify complex concepts, and adapt content to meet a variety of learning styles and needs.
These skills are essential in educational design, especially when designing training for global or multilingual audiences. My experience has become more sensitive to how different learners approach content and have taken that mindset into every course I build. I currently approach teaching design not only as technical discipline, but as learner-firstcraft based on empathy and adaptability.
Stepping into consulting, one step at a time
I didn’t leave to become a consultant. At first I just wanted to find a way to apply my educational experience in a new way. But over time, it became clear that consulting allowed me to define my path by combining freelance freedom with strategic design ideas. Now, with a complete portfolio and a clear focus, I have begun my consulting journey. I’m not entirely sure where this path will lead, but I’m looking forward to seeing where it will take me.
I continue to work on new projects and build on basic expertise while expanding my skills beyond ESL. I’m learning to position my services, communicate my values to my clients, and maintain flexibility as I grow in this field.
Advice for others considering Shift yo id
If you are thinking about moving towards educational design, here are some takeaways from my own experience of transitioning from ESL teachers to educational designers.
Find your niche
Your previous experience is an asset. Whether it’s in healthcare, education, or corporate training, lean on what you already know. Subject expertise adds real value to this field. Master the tools
Being proficient with tools is key to creating an impactful learning experience. Give it time to practice, explore and experiment. AI can be a powerful design assistant when used thoughtfully. Create a portfolio
Teaching design is a field without shows. Develop a portfolio that emphasizes skills, approaches and creativity. Include project type combinations to demonstrate versatility. Accept the learning curve
This is not a career you can go to in a hurry. It takes time to build a strong foundation. Focus on quality beyond speed and not be disappointed with slow progress. Consulting requires strategy
It’s not just about what you can build, but how you position yourself. Be clear who you are serving, how you support, and what makes your work unique.
I’m still learning and still growing
The transition from ESL teacher to education designer is not because I had all the answers, but because it gave me a way to convey my passion for teaching in a new space. The process took longer than expected, but the time spent studying, building and reflexes was invaluable.
I’m at the beginning of my consulting journey, but I don’t know yet how it will unfold. But what I know is that I have never felt more prepared or aligned with the work I am doing. If you’re on the fence about making similar changes, trust it’s okay not to understand everything. Start small, pique your curiosity and tell me something new in each step. The growth you gain along the way is worth it every time.
