Post Job

What does an Assistant Language Teacher do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted Expert
Dr. Diana Jones
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.

On This Page

Assistant language teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real assistant language teacher resumes:

  • 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.
  • Assist students on developing life skills and following students IEP plans in a residential setting.
  • Utilize interactive teaching methods such as PowerPoint presentations and the daily maintenance of an online blog.
  • Incorporate Microsoft PowerPoint as a guide for students with disabilities as an interactive method of learning.
  • Design and produce a monthly newsletter distribute among the schools to share ESL activities, materials and ideas.
  • Work in team-taught English classes and arrange cultural lessons and integration lessons which are featured in the town newspaper.
  • Organize structure English lesson plans in various subjects such as science, literature, culture, music, and language.
  • Proofread and correct a multitude of student papers, tests, essays, memos, assignments, and various administrative documents.
  • Plan special English-language events for students and create monthly extracurricular activities.
  • Develop students' abilities for critical insight and analysis using comparative literature.

Assistant language teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 75% of Assistant Language Teachers are proficient in CPR, Classroom Management, and English-Language. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, and Patience.

We break down the percentage of Assistant Language Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CPR, 75%

    Certified in teaching the Boys Town social skills, nine step correction teaching model and CPR.

  • Classroom Management, 4%

    Organized and led learning activities for children using various materials and resources; established and enforced procedures for classroom management

  • English-Language, 3%

    Translated English-language documents into Japanese and performed interpretation duties for meetings and work-related gatherings.

  • Classroom Environment, 2%

    Create worksheets and activities that enhance the success of absorption of the English language in a classroom environment.

  • Language Curriculum, 2%

    Prepared supplementary teaching materials and developed English language curriculum.

  • Elementary Schools, 2%

    Directed English conversations classes for elementary school students at two elementary schools.

"cpr," "classroom management," and "english-language" are among the most common skills that assistant language teachers use at work. You can find even more assistant language teacher responsibilities below, including:

Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for an assistant language teacher to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators." Additionally, an assistant language teacher resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "enhanced interpersonal skills through team teaching with japanese teachers. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform assistant language teacher duties is communication skills. Assistant language teachers responsibilities require that "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Assistant language teachers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed all lesson plans and team-taught in oral communication classes"

Patience. assistant language teachers are also known for patience, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to assistant language teacher responsibilities, because "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." An assistant language teacher resume example shows how patience is used in the workplace: "praised by teachers for my organizational skills, patience, classroom management and multiple teaching techniques. "

Most common assistant language teacher skills

Choose from 10+ customizable assistant language teacher resume templates

Build a professional assistant language teacher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your assistant language teacher resume.
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume
Assistant Language Teacher Resume

Compare different assistant language teachers

Assistant language teacher vs. Substitute teacher's assistant

A substitute teacher's assistant, also called a substitute teacher aide, assists in student supervision during their playground and lunchroom activities. Substitute teacher assistants perform security functions within the academic institutions. These may include reviewing students' identification cards, monitoring the corridors, and assisting teachers in bulletin board preparations. The assistants help students to have a better understanding of classroom assignments as well as their completion. They are expected to provide proper English grammar and spelling, have the ability to work for and with school-aged children, and be equipped with excellent communication skills.

The annual salary of substitute teacher's assistants is $3,887 higher than the average salary of assistant language teachers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both assistant language teacher and substitute teacher's assistant positions are skilled in cpr, classroom management, and classroom environment.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an assistant language teacher are more likely to require skills like "english-language," "language curriculum," "direct care," and "at-risk youth." On the other hand, a job as a substitute teacher's assistant requires skills like "teacher assistants," "k-12," "language arts," and "pre-k." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Substitute teacher's assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $28,585. On the other hand, assistant language teachers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $31,308.The education levels that substitute teacher's assistants earn slightly differ from assistant language teachers. In particular, substitute teacher's assistants are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an assistant language teacher. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant language teacher vs. Teacher associate

A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.

Teacher associate positions earn higher pay than assistant language teacher roles. They earn a $8,145 higher salary than assistant language teachers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both assistant language teachers and teacher associates have skills such as "cpr," "classroom management," and "classroom environment. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real assistant language teacher resumes. While assistant language teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "english-language," "language curriculum," "elementary schools," and "direct care," teacher associates use skills like "child care," "child development," "cleanliness," and "math."

Teacher associates may earn a higher salary than assistant language teachers, but teacher associates earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $32,745. On the other hand, assistant language teachers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $31,308.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Teacher associates tend to reach similar levels of education than assistant language teachers. In fact, they're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Assistant Language Teachers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn Profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

Technology in the next 3-5 years -- That is a tough question because technology is continually changing. However, I would say whatever learning system their school provides (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, etc.), they should get to know. Also, the technology that involves making/editing videos of teaching would be necessary. The technique that includes exercise, fitness, sports such as heart rate monitors, Fitbits, etc. Finally, a technology that allows interactions between teachers and students and students and students.

Assistant language teacher vs. Preschool teacher's assistant

Preschool teacher assistants, paid an average of $25K per year, must have skills in childcare and communication. This career requires a minimum of a high school diploma, though in some situations, a bachelor's degree may be needed. Those who choose this career path interact with children, prepare snacks, teach things like color and shapes, help children to get dressed and/or change diapers, and evaluate children's development and physical wellness.

On average, preschool teacher's assistants earn higher salaries than assistant language teachers, with a $4,387 difference per year.By looking over several assistant language teachers and preschool teacher's assistants resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "cpr," "classroom management," and "classroom environment." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, assistant language teachers are more likely to have skills like "english-language," "language curriculum," "elementary schools," and "direct care." But a preschool teacher's assistant is more likely to have skills like "open communication," "child development," "child care," and "compassion."

Preschool teacher's assistants earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $31,438. Comparatively, assistant language teachers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $31,308.Most preschool teacher's assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to assistant language teachers. For example, they're 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant language teacher vs. Teacher/tutor

A teacher/tutor is primarily in charge of facilitating discussions and other learning activities for students. Their duties typically revolve around developing lesson plans and teaching materials, assessing the progress of students through quizzes and examinations, assisting students in areas they find difficult, and helping them develop their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Furthermore, as a teacher/tutor, it is essential to monitor the progress and behavior of students, all while maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for them.

Teacher/tutors tend to earn a higher pay than assistant language teachers by an average of $17,093 per year.While their salaries may vary, assistant language teachers and teacher/tutors both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "classroom management," "classroom environment," and "mathematics. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "cpr," "english-language," "language curriculum," and "elementary schools" are skills that commonly show up on assistant language teacher resumes. On the other hand, teacher/tutors use skills like k-12, math, kids, and english language on their resumes.In general, teacher/tutors earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $43,459. The highest-paying industry for an assistant language teacher is the manufacturing industry.teacher/tutors reach higher levels of education compared to assistant language teachers, in general. The difference is that they're 10.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of assistant language teacher

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse education, training, and library jobs