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Foreign language instructor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Alexander Aldrich Ph.D.,

Diane Renée Mannone

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical foreign language instructor skills. We ranked the top skills for foreign language instructors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.7% of foreign language instructor resumes contained tagalog as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a foreign language instructor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 foreign language instructor skills for your resume and career

1. Tagalog

Here's how foreign language instructors use tagalog:

Supervised and managed class; facilitated and taught conversational Tagalog including cultural aspects.
Facilitated and taught learner-centered conversational Tagalog including cultural aspects.

2. Classroom Management

Here's how foreign language instructors use classroom management:

Led 3 person team to plan effective techniques for classroom management in immersion based environment.
Used Target Language (TL) to facilitate learning and classroom management.

3. ILR

Here's how foreign language instructors use ilr:

Train and instruct U.S. government language learners according to the ILR levels standard to reach their required language proficiency goals.
Evaluated student performance according to ILR language proficiency scale.

4. Language Learning

Here's how foreign language instructors use language learning:

Communicate with learners in an engaging, age-appropriate way, ensuring that language learning is both effective and fun.
Worked one on one with students to help them set personal goals as related to their English language learning.

5. Language Teaching

Here's how foreign language instructors use language teaching:

Apply a communicative approach to language teaching and effectively communicate orally to teach foreign languages.
Participated in open house, staff meetings, and in-service workshops on methods in language teaching.

6. 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 foreign language instructors use grammar:

Integrated traditional grammar approach with reading comprehension text of Cambridge Latin.
Developed teaching materials using graded vocabulary and grammar.

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7. Syllabus

Here's how foreign language instructors use syllabus:

Designed syllabus, class events, and study material to prepare students to succeed in the class.
Implement the course syllabus and curriculum through daily lesson plans and learning objectives.

8. Language

Here's how foreign language instructors use language:

Developed an interactive and student centered Arabic language curriculum for teaching young learners basic Arabic communication, writing and reading skills.
Counseled students on language skills, study strategies and goals, and recommended supplementary educational material for self-study and exam preparation.

9. Student Learning

Here's how foreign language instructors use student learning:

Facilitate student learning and conduct research in the area of politics and eastern civilization.
Assess student learning difficulties and advise regarding remediation.

10. Learning Styles

Here's how foreign language instructors use learning styles:

Adapt teaching techniques and approaches to the students' individual learning styles and needs in consultation with supervisors and team.
Provided fun, interactive lessons that incorporated various learning styles and cutting edge technology.

11. Serbian

Here's how foreign language instructors use serbian:

Prepared objective analysis of daily media and presented most important objectives and issues regarding Serbian national and international politics and affairs.

12. Curriculum Development

Here's how foreign language instructors use curriculum development:

Developed and manage all aspects of classroom operations including curriculum development and programimplementation.
Participated in program and curriculum development.D.

13. Target Language

The target language is the language in which a text, document, or speech is translated into the final language. It is a foreign language that a non-native speaker intends to study or learn, as well as the individual elements of the language they want to learn. The target language is the opposite of the source text, which is the initial text to be translated.

Here's how foreign language instructors use target language:

Evaluated students' progress in the target languages by means of progress reports and level evaluations.
Engaged students and encouraged participation by providing constant exposure and inquisitive prompts in the target language.

14. Thai

Here's how foreign language instructors use thai:

Developed successful working relationships with non-English speaking, Thai co-workers.
Incorporated personalized lesson plans into the Thai curriculum.

15. Course Materials

Here's how foreign language instructors use course materials:

Developed course materials and taught Macedonian in a classroom environment.
Developed, selected and prepared university level course materials, lesson plans, pilot offerings and testing and assessment materials.

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What skills help Foreign Language Instructors find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on foreign language instructor resumes?

Dr. Alexander Aldrich Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Concordia College

We've seen how businesses have had to adapt to the upheaval presented by the pandemic. The skill of adaptability is one that I would certainly look for if I were a hiring manager. What other job candidates would exhibit this better than someone who has learned a world language and the culture of its people? Learning a new language and culture is the very essence of learning to adapt.

What soft skills should all foreign language instructors 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 foreign language instructors?

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 foreign language instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Brian Baer

Professor of Russian and Translation Studies, Kent State University

Visit a Russian-speaking country to improve your language skills, knowledge of the culture and history, and gain some relevant work experience. There is always a need for English speakers in Russia to translate, edit translations, and teach English. But make sure, if you go, to spend a lot of time speaking and listening to Russian!

What type of skills will young foreign language instructors need?

Ye Chen Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of West Georgia

Graduates with educational technology (Ed Tech) degrees commonly work as instructional designers, technology/media specialists, trainers, e-learning developers in k12 school, university, military, company, or government. The skills employers usually want in Ed Tech graduates include:
- Instructional design skills for analyzing instructional needs and designing & developing effective instructional solutions.
- Technical skills in utilizing technology to develop and implement instruction. At the same time, they are expected to understand how to integrate technology into instructional settings in a pedagogically meaningful way.
- Communication skills are essential as their work roles heavily rely on effective communication with content experts, clients, trainees/students, etc. throughout the instructional design process

What technical skills for a foreign language instructor stand out to employers?

Eric Ross

Associate Professor, Languages, North Dakota State University

Employers are looking for strong communication skills of both the modern and old-fashioned variety. Expertise in web design and social media are highly marketable. At the same time, employers are looking for people who are skilled writers and public speakers.

Do you want to know more?

List of foreign language instructor skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a foreign language instructor resume and required skills for a foreign language instructor to have include:

Tagalog
Classroom Management
ILR
Language Learning
Language Teaching
Grammar
Syllabus
Language
Student Learning
Learning Styles
Serbian
Curriculum Development
Target Language
Thai
Course Materials
Literature

ESL
OPI
Social Issues
Business Professionals
Test Preparation
Student Performance
Proficiency Testing
EFL
Grade Classes
Classroom Environment
Teaching Methodologies
IV
Course Content
Professional Development
American Culture
Japanese Language

Blackboard
PowerPoint
Learning Materials
Group Classes
Cultural Awareness
K-12
Proofread
Class Material
III
Toefl
DOD
Reading Comprehension
Romanian
Educational Materials

Updated January 8, 2025

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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Foreign Language Instructor Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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