What does a language teacher do?
Language teachers primarily impart knowledge on multidimensional language through classes and activities. The teachers create conditions and develop activities allowing students to practice what they learned with significance. They immerse students in situational learning roles to write, read, converse, and learn different languages. Also, they are considered instrumental in establishing a supportive and positive learning environment. The teachers are also expected to be communicative and well-versed in the language/s they are teaching to their students.
Language teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real language teacher resumes:
- Achieve a DLPT score of``3"in listening and reading in Korean for the first time during this period.
- Administer Romanian language proficiency tests for walk-in candidates using the FSI test format and the ILR evaluation scale.
- Develop a customize course syllabus and outline for to improve student language motivation and integration into the local community.
- Post DLPT, assist and prepare soldiers for their exam.
- Coach IPP students to master expressive and receptive skills in ASL laboratory.
- Act as a liaison between DOD language students and native- speaking instructors.
- Organize school functions and assemblies in accordance to promoting Korean culture and literature.
- Implement coursework for college students with instruction in ASL and total communication methods.
- Collaborate with special education teachers and TSS to monitor student progress in IEP goals.
- Create periodical exams, quizzes, and assessments for English, mathematics and science.
- Provide guidance and advise linguists on how to prepare for oral proficiency interview (OPI )
- Examine students with diagnostic test at the beginning of the course and prepare the course syllabus.
- Implement ESL procedures prescribe in the ESL curriculum to ensure compliance with educational laws and school policies.
- Test students in the ILR levels base on FSI test and preparing DLI student for the test.
- Act as a liaison between DOD language students and native-speaking instructors, resolving classroom conflicts and academic issues.
Language teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Language Teachers are proficient in Classroom Management, English Language, and Student Learning. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Language Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Classroom Management, 19%
Execute Classroom Management Strategies and Disciplinary Program to ensure positive classroom environment, including dealing with behavioral issues.
- English Language, 8%
Developed material to help Japanese English Language teachers to aid in educational linguistics.
- Student Learning, 6%
Administered informal assessments to identify student learning.
- Mandarin, 6%
Develop instructional materials and teach Mandarin to private students of varying abilities.
- Learning Environment, 6%
Demonstrated ability to maintain fun and exciting learning environment with different type of students.
- ESL, 5%
Conferred with University Student Teacher Supervisors to address requirements for ESL certification.
Most language teachers use their skills in "classroom management," "english language," and "student learning" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential language teacher responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a language teacher to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." Additionally, a language teacher resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "conduct question-answer sessions among students in telugu language develop excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills. "
Speaking skills. Many language teacher duties rely on speaking skills. "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students.," so a language teacher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways language teacher responsibilities rely on speaking skills: "computerized teaching with powerpoint taught mandarin and cantonese to english speaking children"
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of language teachers is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday language teacher duties, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provide writing correction services when assigned and provide private lessons. "
The three companies that hire the most language teachers are:
- Language Trainers
35 language teachers jobs
- C2 Education20 language teachers jobs
- Leander ISD7 language teachers jobs
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Compare different language teachers
Language teacher vs. Teacher/tutor
A teacher/tutor is primarily in charge of facilitating discussions and other learning activities for students. Their duties typically revolve around developing lesson plans and teaching materials, assessing the progress of students through quizzes and examinations, assisting students in areas they find difficult, and helping them develop their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Furthermore, as a teacher/tutor, it is essential to monitor the progress and behavior of students, all while maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for them.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, language teacher responsibilities require skills like "mandarin," "language curriculum," "foreign language," and "curriculum development." Meanwhile a typical teacher/tutor has skills in areas such as "math," "kids," "study," and "reading comprehension." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Teacher/tutors really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $43,459. Comparatively, language teachers tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $50,678.The education levels that teacher/tutors earn slightly differ from language teachers. In particular, teacher/tutors are 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a language teacher. Additionally, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Language teacher vs. High school teacher
High school teachers play an essential role in preparing students for college or life following graduation. They typically teach students from the ninth to 12th grades. They plan and develop lessons, evaluate their students' strengths, weaknesses and abilities, and grade their exams and assignments. Other duties include working with individual students to challenge and improve their abilities, developing and implementing classroom rules, and overseeing students outside the classroom. Some of them also take on additional tasks, such as advising academic clubs or coaching sports teams.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real language teacher resumes. While language teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "mandarin," "grammar," "language curriculum," and "foreign language," high school teachers use skills like "culinary," "math," "student achievement," and "chemistry."
High school teachers may earn a higher salary than language teachers, but high school teachers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $51,028. On the other hand, language teachers receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $50,678.Average education levels between the two professions vary. High school teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than language teachers. In fact, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for language teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Language 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, language teachers are more likely to have skills like "english language," "mandarin," "grammar," and "language curriculum." But a history teacher is more likely to have skills like "world history," "history curriculum," "geography," and "student achievement."
History teachers earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $51,944. Language teachers earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $50,678.When it comes to education, history teachers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to language teachers. In fact, they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Language teacher vs. Summer school teacher
A Summer School Teacher is a teacher who works during the summer period. They develop and implement schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives. Generally, they have the same duties as a school teacher.
Types of language teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
