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English language teacher skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Derek Pacheco Ph.D.,
Diane Renée Mannone
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical english language teacher skills. We ranked the top skills for english language teachers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 21.0% of english language teacher resumes contained english-language as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an english language teacher needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 english language teacher skills for your resume and career

1. English-Language

The English language is an international language spoken halfway around the world by over 400 million people. It's the official language of 67 countries around the continents of the world and spoken in almost every nation of the world. The language was named after the Angles; a medieval Germanic tribe that migrated to Great Britain now known as England.

Here's how english language teachers use english-language:
  • Conducted private and group conversation classes for intermediate to advanced Japanese English-language learners, from students to business professionals.
  • Planned and led workshops to improve English-language teaching methodology, as envisioned by Ethiopian Ministry of Education.

2. English Language

Here's how english language teachers use english language:
  • Educated Russian students in enhancing their conversational English Language skills Monitored and provided clarification towards English grammar and sentence structure during courses
  • Provided English Language Learners with individualized instruction geared toward improving English language skills and facilitating independence in mainstream classrooms.

3. Classroom Management

Here's how english language teachers use classroom management:
  • Demonstrated effective classroom management techniques and classroom expectations with administration noting excellent student relationships and communication.
  • Utilized effective classroom management techniques by incorporating motivational activities and positive reinforcement strategies.

4. Grammar

Grammar is the system or rules of the structure of a language. The set of grammar rules helps us decide the order or arrangement of words to form a sentence forming a grammatically correct sentence. Grammar denotes the study of how a sentence of a language is constructed, its morphology, and syntax. It is also the knowledge prescribed in speaking or writing in a given language using the permissible set of constructions and avoiding those that are not permissible. This also includes the proper use of punctuation marks within a sentence.

Here's how english language teachers use grammar:
  • Instructed community members on grammar concepts using the provided textbook, leading to successively more complex conversations and improved overall articulation.
  • Conducted activities that target confidence, vocabulary building and pronunciation practice and grammar.

5. Language Development

Here's how english language teachers use language development:
  • Establish learning objectives and model performance indicators consistent with student needs, curriculum demands, and language development.
  • Created activities that allowed for language development in English that focused on basic word and sentence structure.

6. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how english language teachers use professional development:
  • Participated in support programs for teacher professional development and community support programs through Portland State University for intervention of students at-risk.
  • Engaged in continuous professional development, individually and in collaboration with other educational professionals.

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7. Language Curriculum

Here's how english language teachers use language curriculum:
  • Developed and standardized foreign language curriculum.
  • Authored and implemented an English language curriculum for students ages 2-6.

8. Instructional Materials

Here's how english language teachers use instructional materials:
  • Prepared instructional materials and home assignments for students.
  • Researched and designed instructional materials.

9. Learning Process

Here's how english language teachers use learning process:
  • Created specialized lesson plans for disabled and special needs children to facilitate learning process.
  • Organized the District's curriculum to create a cohesive learning process for all students.

10. Literature

Here's how english language teachers use literature:
  • Coached university graduate students on thesis writing, portfolio writing, literature review writing and presentation delivery.
  • Instructed students in English literature and language, including writing, reading comprehension, speaking, listening, and understanding.

11. Student Learning

Here's how english language teachers use student learning:
  • Augmented student learning through one-on-one instruction of non-English speaking students.
  • Designed and developed class curricula to maximize student learning transfer.

12. Language Acquisition

Here's how english language teachers use language acquisition:
  • Administered academic and language assessments to evaluate student progress in language acquisition and achieving academic learning targets.
  • Provided guidance and personalized action plans for students having difficulty in language acquisition.

13. ELD

Here's how english language teachers use eld:
  • Utilized ELD Common Core Standards, CELDT, and local assessments to drive instruction.
  • Supported new ELD teachers by providing resources and knowledge to implement into their classrooms.

14. Public Schools

Public schools are available for everyone. They are funded and controlled by the government. With state guidance, each school board determines the curricula, finances, and jobs for schools within its borders. The government also decides on academic standards and standardised tests.

Here's how english language teachers use public schools:
  • Selected in the highly competitive Japanese Government program to teach English and foster international relations in Japanese public schools.
  • Instructed and managed elementary-level and secondary-level students in Korean public schools.

15. Language

Here's how english language teachers use language:
  • Developed standards-based lessons and made appropriate accommodations for EL students by differentiating instruction based on student language and English proficiency level.
  • Provided translation services, determined resources and strategies for classroom lessons to promote a student-centered environment for language learning.
top-skills

What skills help English Language Teachers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on english language teacher resumes?

Derek Pacheco Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in English, Purdue University

Recent studies demonstrate that employers continue to rank these sorts of humanities-friendly skills ahead of specific technical competencies (which go out of fashion much faster) when seeking job candidates. Even in highly technical fields like engineering, employers see people skills as important indicators of long-term employee potential. (So, if you want to be an engineer, you'd be smart to consider minoring in English or a foreign language as a way to differentiate yourself in an increasingly competitive market!) Anders' book was written a few years ago, but, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that virtually all "white collar" careers are now tech-adjacent, increasingly characterized by Slack chats, Zoom meetings, working from home. I expect that this trend will accelerate, and along with it the importance of the people skills needed to thrive in this twenty-first-century workplace.

I also see more and more students in English double majoring or minoring in other programs as they explore their intellectual interests, professional abilities, and personal aspirations for life and work after college. This is a good thing, and true to the Liberal Arts spirit. Here at Purdue University, for example, our slimmed down English major (10 or 11 classes, depending on the track) is designed for flexibility, readily stacking with other plans of study across the college and campus. I always say that, basically, we're the department of storytelling-and storytelling is essential in any profession, whether told through language, images, or data. By the time they graduate, our students should have a story to share about themselves, their experiences, their education, their passions, their goals. A Literature major with a double minor in Management and Spanish, or a Creative Writing major with a double major in Physics (real examples), is going to have a much more interesting story to tell about themselves than otherwise.

What soft skills should all english language teachers possess?

Diane Renée Mannone

Associate Professor of English, East Los Angeles College

Working well with colleagues: collaborating, being a team player, involved in the department and campus, etc.

What hard/technical skills are most important for english language teachers?

Diane Renée Mannone

Associate Professor of English, East Los Angeles College

Technical literacy and the ability to teach in myriad environments with diverse students.

What english language teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Suzanne TiemannSuzanne Tiemann LinkedIn profile

Professor, Park University

I think that learning is on a continuum. By advancing their degrees and graduate credit, teachers can move up the district’s salary schedule while continuing to perfect their craft.

What type of skills will young english language teachers need?

Dana Williams Ph.D.

Professor of African American Literature, Interim Dean of the Graduate School, Howard University

English majors, really all humanities majors, are the best hires if you're looking for writing and critical thinking skills. English majors are imaginative, creative, and great readers of culture. This will serve them well. English majors tend to be curious, too, so they do well with one of the most excellent skills we need today--a commitment to lifelong learning.

What technical skills for an english language teacher stand out to employers?

Dr. Keith Folse Ph.D.Dr. Keith Folse Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, University of Central Florida

COVID has moved many online meetings, so operating a Zoom or similar meeting flawlessly is a useful skill, one that no one valued or even knew much about just a year ago. An even more valuable skill is being able to troubleshoot problems that are likely during an online meeting. Do you have good presentation skills, and could you conduct small workshops for large companies that want to train their employees to achieve good online conferences?

The answer to this question will vary as much as the many fields and employers that exist today. What are the needs of these employers? Do large employers even know their needs? They may not, but the consumers of those employers understand what they need, so I have a little different kind of tip here.

I would recommend that students identify their targeted fields, such as education or banking, or culinary, and then find 2 or 3 Facebook groups discussing that topic now. For example, thousands of teachers in hundreds of school districts across the US are teaching online now. Some use Zoom, some use Canvas, and others use something else. I am a member of Teaching Synchronously with Zoom in Korea (500+ members) and Teaching with Canvas (70,000+ members). Ask to join these groups. Lurk. Read. Study. Know what people are unhappy about and need. This is the type of information that companies need to thrive, especially in these challenging times.

List of english language teacher skills to add to your resume

English language teacher skills

The most important skills for an english language teacher resume and required skills for an english language teacher to have include:

  • English-Language
  • English Language
  • Classroom Management
  • Grammar
  • Language Development
  • Professional Development
  • Language Curriculum
  • Instructional Materials
  • Learning Process
  • Literature
  • Student Learning
  • Language Acquisition
  • ELD
  • Public Schools
  • Language
  • K-12
  • Language Arts
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Language Proficiency
  • Curriculum Development
  • ESOL
  • Syllabus
  • Foreign Language
  • American Culture
  • Student Performance
  • Mathematics
  • English Communication
  • School Administration
  • Elementary Schools
  • Public Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Wida
  • Social Studies
  • Course Materials
  • Blended Learning
  • Standardized Testing
  • Thai
  • PowerPoint
  • Toefl
  • Ministry
  • Drama
  • Non-Native Speakers
  • EFL
  • K-5
  • Homework Assignments
  • Co-Taught
  • Language Classes
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Bilingual Education
  • Language Lessons

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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