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What does an english language teacher do?

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

An English language teacher specializes in facilitating discussions and teaching the basic skills in reading and writing. Their responsibilities include developing lesson plans and coursework assessments, preparing learning activities, grading the students' homework and examinations, encouraging critical thinking, and monitoring their progress, assisting them in complicated areas as needed. Furthermore, as a teacher, it is essential to motivate students to reach their potentials, all while creating strategies to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for them.

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English language teacher responsibilities

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

  • Lead kindergarten classes in English-speaking setting and conduct English classes for afternoon elementary students.
  • Achieve a DLPT score of``3"in listening and reading in Korean for the first time during this period.
  • Develop additional activities for kindergarten drama program.
  • Employ by French ministry of education.
  • Develop ESOL learning programs in both writing and conversation.to influence and monitor targets.
  • Select by the French ministry of education to instruct intermediate level English classes for French secondary school students
  • Provide all student with clear course expectations, evaluations and timelines through carefully written topical outlines and syllabus.
  • Provide instruction in literature and cross-cultural studies.
  • Improve department morale by hosting satirical poetry tournaments.
  • Provide instruction for limit English adults in workforce vocabulary.
  • Direct and produce drama performances for primary and secondary schools.
  • Create and facilitate a volunteer activity for a Seoul orphanage Christmas party.
  • Conduct activities that target confidence, vocabulary building and pronunciation practice and grammar.
  • Teach rhetoric, analytical thinking, negotiation and essay/research paper writing to university students
  • Provide explicit instruction to students in the areas of writing and vocabulary development strategies.

English language teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 21% of English Language Teachers are proficient in English-Language, English Language, and Classroom Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Critical-thinking skills, Interpersonal skills, and Speaking skills.

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

  • English-Language, 21%

    Conducted private and group conversation classes for intermediate to advanced Japanese English-language learners, from students to business professionals.

  • English Language, 21%

    Educated Russian students in enhancing their conversational English Language skills Monitored and provided clarification towards English grammar and sentence structure during courses

  • Classroom Management, 19%

    Demonstrated effective classroom management techniques and classroom expectations with administration noting excellent student relationships and communication.

  • Grammar, 4%

    Instructed community members on grammar concepts using the provided textbook, leading to successively more complex conversations and improved overall articulation.

  • Language Development, 3%

    Establish learning objectives and model performance indicators consistent with student needs, curriculum demands, and language development.

  • Professional Development, 3%

    Participated in support programs for teacher professional development and community support programs through Portland State University for intervention of students at-risk.

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

Critical-thinking skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an english language teacher 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 language teachers 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 language teacher 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 language teacher resume, here's how english language teachers can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "implemented well- rounded well- rounded interpersonal skills in order to establish a sense of compatibility and solace within the learning environment. "

Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of english language teachers is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday english language teacher duties, as "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created english as a foreign language curriculum, based on learning through action, speaking, and active play. "

Writing skills. For certain english language teacher responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of an english language teacher rely on this skill, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what english language teachers do: "developed esol learning programs in both writing and conversation.to influence and monitor targets. "

Resourcefulness. A commonly-found skill in english language teacher job descriptions, "resourcefulness" is essential to what english language teachers do. English language teacher responsibilities rely on this skill because "postsecondary teachers must be able to present information in a way that students will understand." You can also see how english language teacher duties rely on resourcefulness in this resume example: "improved my resourcefulness and pushed myself to simplify ideas, due to participating in a workplace with a different primary language. "

All english language teacher skills

The three companies that hire the most english language teachers are:

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Compare different english language teachers

English 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.

The annual salary of teacher/tutors is $14,876 lower than the average salary of english language teachers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both english language teacher and teacher/tutor positions are skilled in english language, classroom management, and grammar.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between english language teachers and teacher/tutor. For instance, english language teacher responsibilities require skills such as "english-language," "language development," "language curriculum," and "learning process." Whereas a teacher/tutor is skilled in "math," "kids," "esl," and "classroom environment." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Teacher/tutors really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $43,459. Comparatively, english language teachers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $57,798.teacher/tutors tend to reach similar levels of education than english language teachers. In fact, teacher/tutors are 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

English language teacher vs. Teacher

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

Teacher positions earn lower pay than english language teacher roles. They earn a $9,842 lower salary than english language teachers per year.A few skills overlap for english language teachers and teachers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "classroom management," "professional development," and "instructional materials. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real english language teacher resumes. While english language teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "english-language," "english language," "grammar," and "language development," teachers use skills like "esl," "handle scheduling," "kids," and "cpr."

Teachers earn a lower average salary than english language teachers. But teachers earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $49,700. Additionally, english language teachers earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $57,798 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than english language teachers. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

English language 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.

On average scale, student teachers bring in higher salaries than english language teachers. In fact, they earn a $1,204 higher salary per year.By looking over several english language teachers and student teachers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "classroom management," "professional development," and "instructional materials." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

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 language teacher resumes include skills like "english-language," "english language," "grammar," and "language development," whereas a student teacher is more likely to list skills in "math," "kindergarten," "iep," and "bulletin boards. "

Student teachers earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $54,049. Comparatively, english language teachers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $57,798.When it comes to education, student teachers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to english language teachers. In fact, they're 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

English language teacher vs. Mentor teacher

Mentor teachers average a lower salary than the annual salary of english language teachers. The difference is about $9,570 per year.While both english language teachers and mentor teachers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like classroom management, professional development, and literature, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An english language teacher uses "english-language," "english language," "grammar," and "language development." Mentor teachers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "learning environment," "professional growth," "constructive feedback," and "mentoring support. "mentor teachers enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $48,634. For comparison, english language teachers earn the highest salary in the retail industry.mentor teachers reach higher levels of education compared to english language teachers, in general. The difference is that they're 10.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of english 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.

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