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English professor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Derek Pacheco Ph.D.,
Laura Aull
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical english professor skills. We ranked the top skills for english professors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 31.5% of english professor resumes contained classroom management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an english professor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 english professor skills for your resume and career

1. Classroom Management

Here's how english professors use classroom management:
  • Experience includes preparing & delivering lectures, team-orchestrated curriculum development, lesson-planning, test-construction and overall classroom management.
  • Utilized classroom management skills, created exams and developed a fun, interactive learning environment.

2. 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 professors use grammar:
  • Developed curriculum and grammar, reading and writing exercises to meet specialized educational needs and expectations.
  • Conducted exploration/discovery-based lessons and projects focused on vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and writing.

3. Foreign Language

A foreign language is a language that is not the official language spoken in a given state or country. It's a language that is native to another country but can be studied in addition to one's native language as a means of fostering international relationships among countries.

Here's how english professors use foreign language:
  • Improved the University's multimedia capabilities by coaching other instructors on use of audio and visual aids in foreign language classes.
  • Initiated, facilitated, and moderated classroom discussions on the subject matter which was English as a Foreign Language.

4. American Literature

Here's how english professors use american literature:
  • Develop course content and study materials for African-American literature course.
  • Program in English (courses in Multicultural American literature, Southern Literature, Civic Engagement and Literary Study).

5. Curriculum Planning

Here's how english professors use curriculum planning:
  • Engage in curriculum planning and development, course outline updates, and committee participation.

6. ESL

Here's how english professors use esl:
  • Conducted ESL classes with international companies, professionals and university students * Planning and implementation of school curriculum and lesson plans
  • Worked independently and collaboratively to develop curriculum and tests, helped students raise scores and pass internationally recognized ESL exams.

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7. Syllabus

Here's how english professors use syllabus:
  • Helped in translation, reworded and re-typed syllabus under professors and director supervision.
  • Developed Syllabus and Course Design to teach Business English Skills and English Conversation classes for first and second year English majors.

8. Course Materials

Here's how english professors use course materials:
  • Developed pedagogic material, evaluated student progress, and modified course material and teaching methods to maximize learning outcomes.
  • Developed curriculum and gathered course materials - Taught university course: English and American Culture

9. Curriculum Development

Here's how english professors use curriculum development:
  • Participated in curriculum development, supervising the ongoing maintenance and improvement of instructional programs.
  • Initiated and led faculty seminars on curriculum development and pedagogy.

10. Vocabulary

Here's how english professors use vocabulary:
  • Specialized in Executive English, medical terminology, Banking and Finance, vocabulary with focus on pronunciation/phonics.
  • Maintained oral communication skill to increase vocabulary and syntax and had students practice in a professional setting.

11. Public Speaking

Public Speaking or oration, as it is sometimes known, is the act of any one person speaking live in front of an audience. Although in the past the audience was only a physical one, nowadays oration might be done on an online video call, at a digital conference, at an online class, or elsewhere. The art of public speaking is very old, drawing its first established roots from Ancient Greece and likely from before, too. It is an important skill and asset in many industries.

Here's how english professors use public speaking:
  • Improved university lecture effectiveness by coaching colleagues on effective public speaking techniques.
  • Evaluated participants involved in student-led competitions for Public Speaking.

12. 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 professors use professional development:
  • Conducted school-wide professional developments based on prior school based teacher leader meetings.
  • Attend regular departmental meetings, enrollment sessions, and professional development.

13. Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses usually refer to the first studies undertaken at university.

Here's how english professors use undergraduate courses:
  • Maintained a teaching load of three undergraduate courses each semester teaching English Fundamentals I and II.
  • Develop future curricular expansions for undergraduate courses in the department of English.

14. Blackboard

Blackboard Learn is a web-based learning management system or virtual learning environment that provides information management for courses and learning materials. It is a scalable software with a customizable open architecture and strong security authentication protocols. Blackboard Learn is used by various Universities around the world to provide course management for their students.

Here's how english professors use blackboard:
  • Set up grade book and develop other Blackboard content for each of Dr. Anderson's classes each semester.
  • Utilized media tools such as Blackboard to maintain communication with students outside the classroom.

15. MLA

Here's how english professors use mla:
  • Introduced and implemented MLA documentation.
  • Guide students in use proper grammar and spelling, college level vocabulary and proper MLA and/or APA citation formats.
top-skills

What skills help English Professors find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on english professor 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 professors possess?

Laura Aull

Associate Professor and Writing Program Director, University of Michigan

- formal oral and written communication skills

- interpersonal engagement

- ability to identify what is needed and break up information well to communicate with different stakeholders (e.g., administrators, staff, students, parents, faculty, donors, etc.)

What hard/technical skills are most important for english professors?

Laura Aull

Associate Professor and Writing Program Director, University of Michigan

- navigating institutional and academic databases

- identifying and summarizing best practices and research

- website oversight, visualization, and management

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

Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.Roselyn Costantino Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of Latin American Studies, Pennsylvania State University Altoona

Most important advice: Take initiative and be productive.
Find practical ways to use skills even if unpaid. Volunteer work is good. Use language skills. Technology skills. Exploit technology skills around the area of interest. If you want to be a teacher find out what software they are using today; what research skills are they utilize. Make sure you log your activities during the gap year especially those that relate to the area in which you want to work. If you want to go into finance, and you're working at a lawn service, understand and learn the business model and the accounting. If you're working at Starbucks (or in any commercial environment), get a chance to do inventories, learn about the ordering process and sources and suppliers for those orders; and how people are scheduled for work. All of that is relevant experience for business.

The CFO and recruiter for Keystone Staffing Solutions emphasized having evidence in your resume of of being productive during the gap time, no matter if it's one, two or three years. Evidence of being productive is what recruiters want to see on your resume: He stresses: "What did you do to expand your knowledge and skills not only in your selected area but beyond. BEING PRODUCTIVE for yourself proves to be an indicator of how productive you will be for me."

Still on gap year. How to go about it? Use teachers, friends, family, anyone in the field or related to it to provide guidance, insight, suggestions. This can lead to projects or experience that will help in learning and growth.

What type of skills will young english professors need?

Dr. Christina FisanickDr. Christina Fisanick LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of English, California University of Pennsylvania

College graduates in 2021 and beyond need all of the skills that English programs have to offer: critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and flexibility. New hires need to be able to adapt to workplace changes quickly and with aplomb, which requires critical thinking and problem solving and the ability to communicate those solutions to a diverse audience clearly and effectively. Those skills are refined and practiced regularly in English programs.

What technical skills for an english professor stand out to employers?

Huiling DingHuiling Ding LinkedIn profile

Professor, Technical Communication and Rhetoric, Director, MS in Technical Communication, University Faculty Scholar, NC State University

Data science, cybersecurity, natural language processing, data visualization, video production/editing, social media content production, SEO, digital marketing, ability to work with domain experts/cross-functional to produce communication products, ability to provide domain expertise to work with AI experts to implement AI solutions in organizations, excellent writing/editing/communication skills.

List of english professor skills to add to your resume

English professor skills

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

  • Classroom Management
  • Grammar
  • Foreign Language
  • American Literature
  • Curriculum Planning
  • ESL
  • Syllabus
  • Course Materials
  • Curriculum Development
  • Vocabulary
  • Public Speaking
  • Professional Development
  • Undergraduate Courses
  • Blackboard
  • MLA
  • Learning Styles
  • Course Objectives
  • Poetry
  • Language
  • Course Content
  • Sentence Structure
  • APA
  • Reading Comprehension
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing Process
  • Class Discussions
  • American Culture
  • Fiction
  • Homework Assignments
  • Composition Courses
  • Drama
  • Composition Classes
  • Business Professionals
  • Courses Taught
  • Toefl
  • Ministry

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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