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Language specialist vs language instructor

The differences between language specialists and language instructors 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 specialist and a language instructor. Additionally, a language instructor has an average salary of $57,946, which is higher than the $51,084 average annual salary of a language specialist.

The top three skills for a language specialist include english language, language and foreign language. The most important skills for a language instructor are kids, classroom management, and grammar.

Language specialist vs language instructor overview

Language SpecialistLanguage Instructor
Yearly salary$51,084$57,946
Hourly rate$24.56$27.86
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs21,61445,062
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a language specialist do?

A Language Specialist is responsible for transcribing an audio file into a written text format depending on the language used. Often, they need to interpret proceedings in the court, translate a foreign language like Arabic, Spanish into the English language and decode word forms. They ensure that the tone, style, and format meet the target language. This position specializes in the field of literature, politics, medicine, American and British Language. They must also have a wide range of knowledge in communication and knows how to resolve possible language barriers.

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.

Language specialist vs language instructor salary

Language specialists and language instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Language SpecialistLanguage Instructor
Average salary$51,084$57,946
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $75,000Between $40,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CAMonterey, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleKern Community College District
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between language specialist and language instructor education

There are a few differences between a language specialist and a language instructor in terms of educational background:

Language SpecialistLanguage Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Language specialist vs language instructor demographics

Here are the differences between language specialists' and language instructors' demographics:

Language SpecialistLanguage Instructor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 39.2% Female, 60.8%Male, 44.2% Female, 55.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 16.0% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between language specialist and language instructor duties and responsibilities

Language specialist example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage class; facilitate and teach conversational Tagalog including cultural aspects.
  • Administer speech and language treatment to students with learning disabilities, developmental delays, specific language impairments, and autism.
  • Service children Pre-k through 6th grade.
  • Evaluate and treat public school age children with pervasive developmental disorders and autism.
  • Programmed/Creat and maintain high and low-tech AAC devices and train staff to use.
  • Mix ingredients with contrast to formulate specific consistencies according to SLP and patient needs.
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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.
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Language specialist vs language instructor skills

Common language specialist skills
  • English Language, 14%
  • Language, 13%
  • Foreign Language, 8%
  • Proofreading, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Language Services, 5%
Common language instructor skills
  • Kids, 11%
  • Classroom Management, 9%
  • Grammar, 7%
  • Course Content, 5%
  • Group Classes, 5%
  • Foreign Language, 5%

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