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What does an english instructor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
9 min read
Quoted expert
Helen Callus

An English instructor is responsible for teaching the learners everything about language and literature, including the English language's disciplines, nature, and history. English instructors monitor the students writing and listening skills, reading comprehension, and confidence in public speaking, identifying their learning challenges, evaluating their progress, and assessing their knowledge by conducting a series of tests and activities that would practice their capabilities. An English instructor must have excellent knowledge of the teaching principles, as well as expertise of the English language to support the students throughout the learning process.

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English instructor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real english instructor resumes:

  • Assign and lead discussions on works of fiction and nonfiction.
  • Develop lesson plans, teach mechanics and creativity in writing, teach reading, math and manage resource room as needed.
  • Facilitate language development of ESL students through diversify group activities.
  • Develop supplemental grammar materials, writing assessments, reading activities, and vocabulary development tools for reading/writing/grammar curriculum.
  • Instruct foreign business professionals in English vocabulary and grammar and develop their fluency and ability to express themselves clearly.
  • Judge English speaking contest through several school districts within Seoul Korea
  • Ensure that students are proficient in written rhetoric, and APA format.
  • Tutor various subjects, such as computer and information science, science and mathematics.
  • Assist in mathematics tutoring in basic skills, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
  • Grade written assignments with focus on the mechanics of utilizing math skills and techniques.
  • Ensure ESL students and their parents understand school regulations, especially ESOL program policies.
  • Provide various opportunities for members to volunteer for which range from animals to kids to the homeless.
  • Complete grade books, final grade sheets, learning assessments and final exam assessments on a timely basis.
  • Implement a variety of teaching tactics to further ESL study for kids, including implementation of technology in classroom.
  • Administer and supervise assessment tests to determine student's grade level, which increase county funding for the ESOL programs.

English instructor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 35% of English Instructors are proficient in Kids, Curriculum Development, and Classroom Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Critical-thinking skills, Interpersonal skills, and Resourcefulness.

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

  • Kids, 35%

    Teach Japanese students (from kids to adults) English through online.

  • Curriculum Development, 23%

    Researched using Internet and prepared lessons using PowerPoint presentations, evaluated students, assisted in curriculum development.

  • Classroom Management, 10%

    Attended professional development workshops that focused on developing and achieving learning goals, IT integration, and successful classroom management.

  • Grammar, 4%

    Instructed advanced elementary and middle school children in English, emphasized Reading comprehension and analysis in addition to Conversation and Grammar.

  • Foreign Language, 4%

    Promoted foreign language acquisition and intercultural awareness to kindergarten, elementary and junior high school students.

  • English Language, 3%

    Created resources to facilitate comprehensible English language instruction; maintained a hands-on learning environment with no technology available.

Most english instructors use their skills in "kids," "curriculum development," and "classroom management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential english instructor responsibilities here:

Critical-thinking skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an english instructor to have is critical-thinking skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "to conduct original research and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need to analyze information logically." English instructors often use critical-thinking skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "develop lesson plans and curriculum guides that foster student learning in critical-thinking. "

Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling english instructor duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." According to an english instructor resume, here's how english instructors can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "self-designed syllabus used to present clear and precise curriculum for students to improve their interpersonal writing and speaking skills. "

Resourcefulness. english instructors are also known for resourcefulness, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to english instructor responsibilities, because "postsecondary teachers must be able to present information in a way that students will understand." An english instructor resume example shows how resourcefulness is used in the workplace: "demonstrated resourcefulness and developed ingenuity; overcame language barriers and trying working environments. "

Speaking skills. english instructor responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." This resume example shows what english instructors do with speaking skills on a typical day: "coordinated scheduling and curriculum as primary kindergarten instructor developed presentations for parents viewings and programs represented wonderland institution for special functions"

Writing skills. Another common skill required for english instructor responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of english instructors all the time, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." An excerpt from a real english instructor resume shows how this skill is central to what an english instructor does: "created new clubs to interest new students such as art club, poetry club, and classes focusing on academic writing. "

See the full list of english instructor skills

The three companies that hire the most english instructors are:

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Compare different english instructors

English instructor vs. Teaching fellow

An individual who works at an institution to foster the students' academic strive is known as a teaching fellow. They are known as a self-motivated and education-based counselor. They help to pursue a better career perspective in an individual's academic endeavors.

We looked at the average english instructor salary and compared it with the wages of a teaching fellow. Generally speaking, teaching fellows are paid $9,875 lower than english instructors per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both english instructor and teaching fellow positions are skilled in curriculum development, classroom management, and syllabus.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, english instructor responsibilities require skills like "kids," "grammar," "foreign language," and "english language." Meanwhile a typical teaching fellow has skills in areas such as "academic support," "rehabilitation," "math," and "mentoring students." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Teaching fellows really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $49,553. Comparatively, english instructors tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $55,365.The education levels that teaching fellows earn slightly differ from english instructors. In particular, teaching fellows are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an english instructor. Additionally, they're 4.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

English instructor vs. English as a second language teacher

As the frontline in every school, the enrollment advisor works on answering students' queries about the university, its performance, the curriculum used, fees to be paid, scholarships provided, and even facilitate the on-campus tour. Should the student choose to enroll, the enrollment advisor helps process documents while also checking for course availability. Having good communication skills, enrollment advisors also help students assess their future careers and plan their course map.

English as a second language teacher positions earn higher pay than english instructor roles. They earn a $1,513 higher salary than english instructors per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. English instructors and english as a second language teachers both require similar skills like "curriculum development," "classroom management," and "grammar" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real english instructor resumes. While english instructor responsibilities can utilize skills like "kids," "kindergarten," "literature courses," and "vocabulary," english as a second language teachers use skills like "language proficiency," "public schools," "ell," and "creole."

English as a second language teachers may earn a higher salary than english instructors, but english as a second language teachers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $57,547. On the other hand, english instructors receive higher pay in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $55,365.Average education levels between the two professions vary. English as a second language teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than english instructors. In fact, they're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Helen Callus

Professor of Viola, Northwestern University

For many of us instrumental professors (but not all, due to the limitations of the instrument's nature like percussion or piano), we had already been teaching remotely for some years, and been able to adjust to the current restrictions without impacting our student's experiences in lessons. Teaching remotely will be a part of the future - saving students the cost of travel, hotels, time. We are trying to find creative ways to do things we couldn't otherwise do in person, like having a busy guest from Europe, unable to fly in person but teaching a class via Zoom.

I imagine this might become part of the framework that we offer in the future. Students should understand how to present themselves in these situations, understanding sound and picture quality devices (what microphones and cameras are best), internet speeds, ethernet cables, router devices, lighting, etc. But it is an excellent opportunity to understand the media of film/video and how to create best a sound video recording for competitions, summer festivals, or college applications. We were already using that medium for prescreens, so this is a chance to refine that skill as, without doubt, that will be a part of our future.

English instructor vs. High school english teacher

High School English teachers help students with literacy, grammar, literature, vocabulary, and literature. Their duties typically include developing and implementing lesson plans, preparing the course curriculum, and evaluating students' work. They facilitate class discussions and grade tests, assignments, and quizzes and provide feedback for improvements. Other duties that High School English perform include organizing field trips and literary events, discussing students' progress with parents, and helping students prepare for college.

An average high school english teacher eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of english instructors. The difference in salaries amounts to high school english teachers earning a $3,546 lower average salary than english instructors.english instructors and high school english teachers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "curriculum development," "classroom management," and "grammar," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from english instructor resumes include skills like "kids," "foreign language," "kindergarten," and "literature courses," whereas a high school english teacher is more likely to list skills in "language arts," "american literature," "student achievement," and "state standards. "

High school english teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $49,882. On the other hand, english instructors are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $55,365.high school english teachers typically earn similar educational levels compared to english instructors. Specifically, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

English instructor vs. Instructor, adjunct faculty

An adjunct faculty member works in a state university or college. They typically work on a part-time or contractual basis. Although they work in a university, they have limited responsibilities compared to those who work as a regular instructor, but they still need appropriate work etiquette and a love of teaching and working with students. Like any other instructor, they develop learning material, conduct lectures, prepare exams, and assess students' grades.

Instructors, adjunct faculty typically earn lower pay than english instructors. On average, instructors, adjunct faculty earn a $1,690 lower salary per year.While both english instructors and instructors, adjunct faculty complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like curriculum development, professional development, and syllabus, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between english instructors and instructors, adjunct faculty, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an english instructor might have more use for skills like "kids," "classroom management," "grammar," and "foreign language." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of instructors, adjunct faculty require skills like "course syllabus," "learning outcomes," "instructional strategies," and "undergraduate courses. "

Instructors, adjunct faculty enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $54,888. For comparison, english instructors earn the highest salary in the retail industry.instructors, adjunct faculty reach higher levels of education compared to english instructors, in general. The difference is that they're 8.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of english instructor

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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