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The differences between sign language teachers 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 sign language teacher and a language instructor. Additionally, a language instructor has an average salary of $57,946, which is higher than the $54,210 average annual salary of a sign language teacher.
The top three skills for a sign language teacher include ESL, student learning and classroom management. The most important skills for a language instructor are kids, classroom management, and grammar.
| Sign Language Teacher | Language Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $54,210 | $57,946 |
| Hourly rate | $26.06 | $27.86 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 73,259 | 45,062 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Sign language teachers and language instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sign Language Teacher | Language Instructor | |
| Average salary | $54,210 | $57,946 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $77,000 | Between $40,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Monterey, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Greenfield Union School District | Kern Community College District |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a sign language teacher and a language instructor in terms of educational background:
| Sign Language Teacher | Language Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Special Education | English |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between sign language teachers' and language instructors' demographics:
| Sign Language Teacher | Language Instructor | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4% | Male, 44.2% Female, 55.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 16% | 16% |