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What is an assistant language teacher and how to become one
Assistant language teachers (ALT) transform language teaching through conversation, songs, games, and activities with students. They also help students to prepare for oral examinations and practice their speaking skills, especially pronunciation and intonation.
ALTs spend around eight hours in school (usually from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., although hours change from school to school). Their classroom role will vary drastically from one school to the next; in some, they will practice vocabulary from the curriculum, while in others, they will have to plan the entire lesson. For some, it is easy to forget that ALTs are assistants, so keep that in mind and be flexible enough to accommodate individual teachers' requests.
Working as an ALT is amazingly fun, but it also bears a weight of responsibility. Generally, students are not exposed to international interaction, so ALTs are ambassadors for their country, as they are teachers.
The average annual pay for an ALT in the United States is $36,216 a year. This is approximately $17.41 an hour, $696/week, or $3,018/month.
What general advice would you give to an assistant language teacher?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Avg. Salary $25,862
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 4%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.43%
Asian 8.69%
Black or African American 10.01%
Hispanic or Latino 17.17%
Unknown 4.73%
White 57.96%
Genderfemale 67.10%
male 32.90%
Age - 45American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 45Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is basic
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Assistant language teacher career paths
Key steps to become an assistant language teacher
Explore assistant language teacher education requirements
Start to develop specific assistant language teacher skills
Skills Percentages CPR 74.72% Classroom Management 3.95% English-Language 2.88% Classroom Environment 1.90% Language Curriculum 1.76% Gain additional assistant language teacher certifications
More About CertificationsAssistant language teacher certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific assistant language teacher certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for assistant language teachers include Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
Research assistant language teacher duties and responsibilities
- Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
- Develop understanding of local language and culture through personal relationships with residents and town officials, and participation in community events.
- Proofread and correct students' written essays.
- Create and teach ESL lesson plans in Japanese junior high schools.
Prepare your assistant language teacher resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant language teacher resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an assistant language teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable assistant language teacher resume templates
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Apply for assistant language teacher jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an assistant language teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first assistant language teacher job
Are you an assistant language teacher?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average assistant language teacher salary
The average assistant language teacher salary in the United States is $25,862 per year or $12 per hour. Assistant language teacher salaries range between $19,000 and $33,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do assistant language teachers rate their job?
Assistant language teacher reviews
Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days
Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance
Some students' non-challant attitude towards learning.
Ability to share knowledge and guide students in learning new things.
To experience a new scope of life.
Slow response to my quest for work as a value quick response for my result oriented mind.
Updated January 8, 2025
