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Assistant language teacher vs instructional assistant

The differences between assistant language teachers and instructional assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an instructional assistant has an average salary of $32,170, which is higher than the $25,862 average annual salary of an assistant language teacher.

The top three skills for an assistant language teacher include CPR, classroom management and english-language. The most important skills for an instructional assistant are CPR, math, and instructional materials.

Assistant language teacher vs instructional assistant overview

Assistant Language TeacherInstructional Assistant
Yearly salary$25,862$32,170
Hourly rate$12.43$15.47
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs84,13550,185
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does an assistant language teacher do?

An assistant language teacher is in charge of performing support tasks for language teachers. Their responsibilities include preparing teaching and coursework materials, assessing student performance, taking attendance records, and holding lectures as a substitute for the teacher. They may also help students who are having trouble following and adjusting to the lessons, assisting them as needed. Above all, an assistant language teacher must monitor the students' progress, all while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.

What does an instructional assistant do?

An instructional assistant's role is to assist teachers and faculty members by performing various tasks. Their responsibilities will involve managing and monitoring the classroom environment, crafting visual aids and informative presentations, preparing laboratories and equipment, grading papers, recording data, and organizing schedules. An instructional assistant may also teach short courses when a teacher is not around, and provide tutorial sessions to small groups. Furthermore, they may also perform administrative tasks such as producing progress reports and necessary documentation, taking attendance, and responding to calls and correspondence.

Assistant language teacher vs instructional assistant salary

Assistant language teachers and instructional assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Language TeacherInstructional Assistant
Average salary$25,862$32,170
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $33,000Between $23,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityBellevue, WASalem, OR
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyRutgers UniversityKern Community College District
Best paying industryManufacturingEducation

Differences between assistant language teacher and instructional assistant education

There are a few differences between an assistant language teacher and an instructional assistant in terms of educational background:

Assistant Language TeacherInstructional Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNorthwestern University

Assistant language teacher vs instructional assistant demographics

Here are the differences between assistant language teachers' and instructional assistants' demographics:

Assistant Language TeacherInstructional Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 32.9% Female, 67.1%Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.7% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 8.2% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between assistant language teacher and instructional assistant duties and responsibilities

Assistant language teacher example 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.
  • Design games, songs and visual aids to incorporate mathematics into everyday activities.
  • Assist with the implementation of the program as outlined in the IEP of each student.
  • Show more

Instructional assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist teachers in the classroom environment for Pre-K-6 students with class materials, photocopying, correcting papers, clerical duties etc.
  • Substitute for Pre-K through 5th grade.
  • Assist lead teacher in a certify Montessori program.
  • Assist students in grades from kindergarten to high school.
  • Administer tests to determine if student continues in ESOL program.
  • Provide training skills to students to administer CPR safely and accurately.
  • Show more

Assistant language teacher vs instructional assistant skills

Common assistant language teacher skills
  • CPR, 75%
  • Classroom Management, 4%
  • English-Language, 3%
  • Classroom Environment, 2%
  • Language Curriculum, 2%
  • Elementary Schools, 2%
Common instructional assistant skills
  • CPR, 17%
  • Math, 8%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Behavioral Issues, 7%
  • Instructional Support, 5%

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