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Language instructor vs social studies teacher

The differences between language instructors and social studies teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a language instructor and a social studies teacher. Additionally, a language instructor has an average salary of $57,946, which is higher than the $49,725 average annual salary of a social studies teacher.

The top three skills for a language instructor include kids, classroom management and grammar. The most important skills for a social studies teacher are classroom management, world history, and curriculum development.

Language instructor vs social studies teacher overview

Language InstructorSocial Studies Teacher
Yearly salary$57,946$49,725
Hourly rate$27.86$23.91
Growth rate12%5%
Number of jobs45,06294,087
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4643
Years of experience22

What does a language instructor do?

A language instructor is responsible for teaching the students to master a specific language, both written and oral instructions, as well as its structure, development, and history. Language instructors prepare engaging lesson plans and educational materials for the students' easy comprehension. They evaluate the students' progress by conducting assessments, identifying areas of improvement, and adjusting teaching strategies to address those difficulties. A language instructor must have extensive knowledge of their language expertise, responding to the students' inquiries and concerns accurately.

What does a social studies teacher do?

Teachers that specialize in human society are called social studies teachers. Usually, they are found at a high school and secondary school level. They teach concepts of history, geography, government, economics, and civic ideals. Their duties include assigning and grading homework, writing, and grading tests and essays as well as engaging students with lectures and relevant activities. Skills needed for the job include an analytical mind, service-oriented, and organized. They must also be highly knowledgeable about social sciences and has a field related degree to social study.

Language instructor vs social studies teacher salary

Language instructors and social studies teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Language InstructorSocial Studies Teacher
Average salary$57,946$49,725
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $82,000Between $36,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityMonterey, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryGovernmentProfessional

Differences between language instructor and social studies teacher education

There are a few differences between a language instructor and a social studies teacher in terms of educational background:

Language InstructorSocial Studies Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorEnglishHistory
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Language instructor vs social studies teacher demographics

Here are the differences between language instructors' and social studies teachers' demographics:

Language InstructorSocial Studies Teacher
Average age4643
Gender ratioMale, 44.2% Female, 55.8%Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 15.2% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage16%12%

Differences between language instructor and social studies teacher duties and responsibilities

Language instructor example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage class; facilitate and teach conversational Tagalog including cultural aspects.
  • Distribute marketing materials to community organizations and businesses and lead community outreach strategy on behalf of ESOL department regarding various programs/schedules/opportunities.
  • Develop and implement communicative, task-base, learner-centered Tagalog language learning activities.
  • Design and teach ESOL classes to Hispanic senior citizens of mix language ability.
  • Identify and utilize effective methods to teach grammar, conversation skills and vocabulary to non-native speakers.
  • Design quizzes and exams including listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary manipulation, and composition/ dialogue creation.
  • Show more

Social studies teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead co-taught classes with another teacher.
  • Develop and continue to manage a collaborative after-school tutoring program for middle school mathematics students.
  • Develop curricula for, and teach all , 7th & 8th grade language arts and social studies classes.
  • Prepare students for the AICE college level exam.
  • Teach theory and attitudes of leadership to the students.
  • Instruct students at various levels and abilities in civics and law.
  • Show more

Language instructor vs social studies teacher skills

Common language instructor skills
  • Kids, 11%
  • Classroom Management, 9%
  • Grammar, 7%
  • Course Content, 5%
  • Group Classes, 5%
  • Foreign Language, 5%
Common social studies teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 16%
  • World History, 7%
  • Curriculum Development, 6%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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