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Language specialist vs sign language teacher

The differences between language specialists and sign language 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 specialist and a sign language teacher. Additionally, a sign language teacher has an average salary of $54,210, 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 sign language teacher are ESL, student learning, and classroom management.

Language specialist vs sign language teacher overview

Language SpecialistSign Language Teacher
Yearly salary$51,084$54,210
Hourly rate$24.56$26.06
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs21,61473,259
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 sign language teacher do?

A sign language teacher provides instruction in signed communication. They teach sign languages such as American Sign Language or British Sign Language to both deaf and hearing students. Fluency in sign language can significantly enhance quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Language specialist vs sign language teacher salary

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

Language SpecialistSign Language Teacher
Average salary$51,084$54,210
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $75,000Between $38,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew HampshireNew Hampshire
Best paying companyAppleGreenfield Union School District
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between language specialist and sign language teacher education

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

Language SpecialistSign Language Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorEnglishSpecial Education
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Language specialist vs sign language teacher demographics

Here are the differences between language specialists' and sign language teachers' demographics:

Language SpecialistSign Language Teacher
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 39.2% Female, 60.8%Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4%
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, 11.3% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between language specialist and sign language teacher 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.
  • Show more

Sign language teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop syllabus and overall class curriculum.
  • Re-Design the extensive ESL program.
  • Interface with the dean of instruction regarding the professional learning community (PLC) and teachers' and programs' evaluation.
  • Challenge students to master basic math concepts through implementation of manipulative graphing, and charting exercises that develop problem-solving skills.
  • Train teachers using SIOP models and
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Language specialist vs sign language teacher skills

Common language specialist skills
  • English Language, 14%
  • Language, 13%
  • Foreign Language, 8%
  • Proofreading, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Language Services, 5%
Common sign language teacher skills
  • ESL, 76%
  • Student Learning, 7%
  • Classroom Management, 4%
  • Deaf Culture, 3%
  • Learning Styles, 3%
  • Foreign Language, 2%

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