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What does a bilingual teacher do?

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

Bilingual teachers are teaching professionals who are responsible for teaching their students two languages in a dual-language setting. These teachers must be able to teach foreign language and English as a second language (ESL) to promote literacy and fluency in both languages. They are required to explain to their students the difficult concepts of both languages so that they can be comfortable with their skills. Bilingual teachers must also collaborate with special education teachers to plan and implement language instructional materials for special needs students.

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Bilingual teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real bilingual teacher resumes:

  • Guide and supervise this year's mathematics vertical curriculum alignment and curriculum mapping project across all grade levels.
  • Participate in IEP meetings with students and parents to discuss student growth and accommodations on a weekly basis.
  • Challenge students to master basic math concepts through implementation of manipulative, graphing, charting, and creative writing exercises.
  • Work cooperatively with other teachers to modify the curriculum as needed to help support the needs of students with an IEP.
  • Implement SIOP to increase language development and make grade-level academic content comprehensible to students.
  • Collaborate with bilingual teachers to implement and evaluate ethnic celebrations that promote language and culture.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in a PLC to create lessons that focus on the learning of each student.
  • Serve as a member of the LPAC committee.
  • Assist with parent involvement activities, participate in portfolio, FCAT teaching/learning presentations along with coordinating extra-curricular activities.

Bilingual teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Bilingual Teachers are proficient in Instructional Materials, English Language, and Classroom Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Physical stamina.

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

  • Instructional Materials, 13%

    Created instructional materials, educational resources and incentives.

  • English Language, 13%

    Charged with leading transitional class of English Language Learners to determine presence of disability and support regular education teacher with instruction.

  • Classroom Management, 12%

    Participated in Columbus University's Teacher's College intensive training in pedagogical doctrines and classroom management.

  • Public Schools, 9%

    Conducted presentations at regional, public schools, to invite students to test and enroll in selective enrollment programs.

  • Bilingual Education, 8%

    Teach English to high school students in the Bilingual Education Program.

  • Classroom Environment, 6%

    Maintained effective classroom environment by always using positive reinforcement strategies as a motivator for improving students' conduct.

Most bilingual teachers use their skills in "instructional materials," "english language," and "classroom management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential bilingual teacher responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a bilingual teacher to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators." Additionally, a bilingual teacher resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "reinforce student excellence in the barrier between culture diversity and language communication. "

Patience. Many bilingual teacher duties rely on patience. "kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material," so a bilingual teacher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways bilingual teacher responsibilities rely on patience: "utilized classroom management skills, active participation, patience, and cooperative learning to create astudent centered environment. "

Physical stamina. This is an important skill for bilingual teachers to perform their duties. For an example of how bilingual teacher responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a bilingual teacher: "created a classroom environment conductive to learning and appropriate for the emotional, physical, and social development of the students. ".

See the full list of bilingual teacher skills

The three companies that hire the most bilingual teachers are:

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Compare different bilingual teachers

Bilingual teacher vs. Teacher-in-training

A teacher-in-training is a teaching professional who offers technical teaching assistance to teachers in developing effective behavior management and instructional strategies to support student learning. The teacher must collaborate with principals while employing diverse techniques to increase the effectiveness of student learning. By observing classes and then giving feedback to teachers about their teaching style, classroom management, and techniques are some of the responsibilities of a teacher-in-training. The teacher must also develop a wide array of curriculum materials and lesson plans for classroom instruction.

The annual salary of teachers-in training is $14,556 lower than the average salary of bilingual teachers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both bilingual teacher and teacher-in-training positions are skilled in instructional materials, classroom management, and public schools.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, bilingual teacher responsibilities require skills like "english language," "bilingual education," "classroom environment," and "learning process." Meanwhile a typical teacher-in-training has skills in areas such as "k-12," "staff development," "student engagement," and "curriculum development." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Teachers-in training really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $39,697. Comparatively, bilingual teachers tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $48,526.On average, teachers-in training reach similar levels of education than bilingual teachers. Teachers-in training are 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Bilingual 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/tutor positions earn lower pay than bilingual teacher roles. They earn a $8,815 lower salary than bilingual teachers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Bilingual teachers and teacher/tutors both require similar skills like "instructional materials," "english language," and "classroom management" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real bilingual teacher resumes. While bilingual teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "bilingual education," "learning process," "administrative regulations," and "learning strategies," teacher/tutors use skills like "k-12," "kids," "study," and "develop rapport."

Teacher/tutors earn a lower average salary than bilingual teachers. But teacher/tutors earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $43,459. Additionally, bilingual teachers earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $48,526 annually.teacher/tutors earn lower levels of education than bilingual teachers in general. They're 5.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for bilingual 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.

Bilingual teacher vs. Pre-k teacher

Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children's social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.

On average, pre-k teachers earn lower salaries than bilingual teachers, with a $11,469 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on bilingual teachers and pre-k teachers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "instructional materials," "classroom management," and "bilingual education.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a bilingual teacher is likely to be skilled in "english language," "public schools," "learning process," and "administrative regulations," while a typical pre-k teacher is skilled in "kids," "help support," "pre-kindergarten," and "pre k."

Pre-k teachers typically earn lower educational levels compared to bilingual teachers. Specifically, they're 10.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Bilingual teacher vs. Student teacher

A student-teacher is responsible for assisting their supervising instructors in maintaining the class orderliness during lectures and class activities. Student teachers' duties include helping with lesson plans, organizing learning activities, managing student behaviors, observing classroom procedures, preparing visual materials and other educational equipment, providing feedback for students, and keeping students' records for evaluation. A student-teacher must maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills to set goals and make consistent progress to the class while keeping students engaged.

Student teachers typically earn higher pay than bilingual teachers. On average, student teachers earn a $7,265 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, bilingual teachers and student teachers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "instructional materials," "classroom management," and "classroom environment. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between bilingual teachers and student teachers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a bilingual teacher might have more use for skills like "english language," "public schools," "bilingual education," and "learning process." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of student teachers require skills like "kindergarten," "bulletin boards," "professional development," and "student teaching. "

The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for student teachers, with average annual pay of $54,049. Comparatively, the highest bilingual teacher annual salary comes from the education industry.The average resume of student teachers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to bilingual teachers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 9.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.8%.

Types of bilingual 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.

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