Post job

What does a language arts teacher do?

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

A language arts teacher is responsible for teaching the English language to the students, improving their written and oral English communication by sharing the best practices, conducting engaging lesson plans, assigning group activities, and providing comprehensive educational materials. Language arts teachers strictly adhere to the learning curriculum, as well as monitoring the students' progress through individual evaluation, identifying their areas of improvement, and adjust learning strategies to address the difficulties. They also encourage the students to attend workshops, programs, and other extracurricular activities relating to the subject matter.

On this page

Language arts teacher responsibilities

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

  • Lead daily reading group of below-level, first-grade readers and teach mathematics to a small group of mentally gift first-graders.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions and demonstrations in physics, chemistry and astronomy.
  • Conduct all assessments for grade level in language arts, and provide IEP specific instruction within mainstream classroom.
  • Instruct diverse student population, including ESL and special education students.
  • Design and teach integrated curriculum covering aspects of chemistry, earth science and life science.
  • Develop or participate in student IEP or 504 plans and meetings to ensure all student needs are met.
  • Develop remediation to assist academically challenge students to excel including ESL students.
  • Deliver language arts instruction through a variety of literary genres including classic literary texts, creative nonfiction, and contemporary fiction.
  • Analyze and mine data to develop lesson plans, pacing guides, RTI plans, and assessments.
  • Work as team leader for RTI meetings and help to ensure that intervention strategies are in place for struggling students.
  • Participate in weekly PLC meetings with the general education teachers, and participate in the student assistance team.
  • Create and differentiate instruction base on the CCSS and the MAISA writing curriculum to meet the needs of all students.
  • Prepare curriculum for each year and complete the planned syllabus effectively.

Language arts teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Language Arts Teachers are proficient in Classroom Management, Curriculum Development, and Literature.

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

  • Classroom Management, 24%

    Planned and implemented lessons that involved technology to vary instructional techniques that resulted in effective classroom management and increased student focus.

  • Curriculum Development, 10%

    Participated in curriculum development programs, staff development programs, faculty meetings and other school committee activities as required.

  • Literature, 6%

    Created dynamic project based learning experiences to enhance student understanding of American literature.

  • Student Learning, 5%

    Designed and delivered standards-based units of study intended to motivate and facilitate student learning inside and outside the classroom.

  • Grammar, 4%

    Develop original literature-based study guides, evaluations, and enrichment activities as well a grammar lessons and poetry units.

  • Public Schools, 4%

    Create, design and implement customized curriculum according to St. Louis Public Schools and Common Core State Standards.

Common skills that a language arts teacher uses to do their job include "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "literature." You can find details on the most important language arts teacher responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a language arts teacher to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "teachers must share ideas with their students, other teachers, and school administrators and staff." Language arts teachers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "integrated writing and grammar to promote strong communication skills. "

Physical stamina. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling language arts teacher duties is physical stamina. The role rewards competence in this skill because "working with middle school students can be tiring." According to a language arts teacher resume, here's how language arts teachers can utilize physical stamina in their job responsibilities: "develop lessons to implement common core standards from all areas in to physical education classes. "

Most common language arts teacher skills

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

Choose from 10+ customizable language arts teacher resume templates

Build a professional language arts teacher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your language arts teacher resume.
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume
Language Arts Teacher Resume

Compare different language arts teachers

Language arts teacher vs. Teacher associate

A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.

If we compare the average language arts teacher annual salary with that of a teacher associate, we find that teacher associates typically earn a $17,962 lower salary than language arts teachers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both language arts teacher and teacher associate positions are skilled in classroom management, instructional materials, and learning process.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between language arts teachers and teacher associate. For instance, language arts teacher responsibilities require skills such as "curriculum development," "literature," "student learning," and "grammar." Whereas a teacher associate is skilled in "child care," "cpr," "child development," and "cleanliness." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Teacher associates tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $32,745. In contrast, language arts teachers make the biggest average salary, $48,676, in the education industry.teacher associates tend to reach lower levels of education than language arts teachers. In fact, teacher associates are 14.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Language arts teacher vs. Biology teacher

A biology teacher specializes in teaching biology to students at learning institutions. Their duties consist of developing lesson and assessment plans, preparing teaching materials such as handouts and presentations, conducting tests and examinations, grading the students' papers and homework, and monitoring their academic progress and behavior. They must also organize laboratory activities and demonstrations, supervise the students in various procedures, and implement the laboratory rules and regulations to maintain a safe and effective learning environment for everyone.

A career as a biology teacher brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a language arts teacher. In fact, biology teachers salary is $248 lower than the salary of language arts teachers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Language arts teachers and biology teachers both require similar skills like "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "student learning" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real language arts teacher resumes. While language arts teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "literature," "grammar," "language," and "learning process," biology teachers use skills like "science curriculum," "lab experiments," "professional development," and "mentoring students."

On average, biology teachers earn a lower salary than language arts teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, biology teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $51,188. Whereas language arts teachers have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $48,676.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Biology teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than language arts teachers. In fact, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Language arts teacher vs. First grade teacher

First-grade teachers are the first instructors of children after they finished the kindergarten level. They play an essential role as children aged six to seven move to more structured learning. Generally, they set an exciting tone of learning for the fundamental skills in writing, reading, and math. These teachers create and give effective learning activities to the children to enhance their physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development. They have to effectively manage the classroom and ensure that all students are safe. Also, they give regular assessments to children to evaluate if their teaching method is effective and to determine the learning style of each child. Additionally, they need to communicate with parents, guardians, and principals on the progress of the children.

An average first grade teacher eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of language arts teachers. The difference in salaries amounts to first grade teachers earning a $2,212 lower average salary than language arts teachers.Using the responsibilities included on language arts teachers and first grade teachers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "classroom management," "student learning," and "public schools.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a language arts teacher is likely to be skilled in "curriculum development," "literature," "grammar," and "language," while a typical first grade teacher is skilled in "math," "professional development," "classroom environment," and "language arts."

First grade teachers earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $50,770. Comparatively, language arts teachers have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $48,676.first grade teachers typically earn similar educational levels compared to language arts teachers. Specifically, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Language arts teacher vs. History teacher

A history teacher analyzes all resources and prescribed texts to create quality curricula and lesson plans, collaborate with other teachers, and learn from the classroom management techniques, teaching strategies, and methods. These professionals deliver engaging history-related lessons on various movements, periods, and other history-related figures and events. Moreover, history teachers grade tests, exams, presentations, assignments, and quizzes and call parents and other staff members to schedule interventions and discuss concerns. Also, they use digital technology to keep accurate learners' records and improve learning.

History teachers typically earn higher pay than language arts teachers. On average, history teachers earn a $1,811 higher salary per year.According to resumes from language arts teachers and history teachers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "literature. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A language arts teacher uses "grammar," "language," "learning process," and "social studies." History teachers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "professional development," "world history," "history curriculum," and "geography. "history teachers enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $51,944. For comparison, language arts teachers earn the highest salary in the education industry.history teachers reach similar levels of education compared to language arts teachers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of language arts 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.

Browse education, training, and library jobs