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The differences between esl instructors and language teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an esl instructor, becoming a language teacher takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an esl instructor has an average salary of $53,226, which is higher than the $51,413 average annual salary of a language teacher.
The top three skills for an esl instructor include grammar, classroom management and language. The most important skills for a language teacher are classroom management, english language, and student learning.
| ESL Instructor | Language Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $53,226 | $51,413 |
| Hourly rate | $25.59 | $24.72 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 26,173 | 74,479 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An ESL instructor is responsible for teaching the English language, usually to non-native speakers, discussing all the disciplines of the English language, both written and verbal, and in some cases, even its nature and history. ESL instructors create a comprehensive lesson plan for the English language learners, prepare learning materials, and conduct individual and group activities to test the learners' knowledge and progress. They also evaluate the learners' performance by identifying areas of improvement and adjust teaching strategies to address each learner's difficulties and maintain an engaging classroom environment.
Language teachers primarily impart knowledge on multidimensional language through classes and activities. The teachers create conditions and develop activities allowing students to practice what they learned with significance. They immerse students in situational learning roles to write, read, converse, and learn different languages. Also, they are considered instrumental in establishing a supportive and positive learning environment. The teachers are also expected to be communicative and well-versed in the language/s they are teaching to their students.
Esl instructors and language teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| ESL Instructor | Language Teacher | |
| Average salary | $53,226 | $51,413 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $78,000 | Between $35,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Boston Public Schools | The Gow School |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Education |
There are a few differences between an esl instructor and a language teacher in terms of educational background:
| ESL Instructor | Language Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Columbia University in the City of New York | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between esl instructors' and language teachers' demographics:
| ESL Instructor | Language Teacher | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0% | Male, 29.0% Female, 71.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 17.5% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |