Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Educational Instruction and Library
Class sessions cover how to speak and write a language other than English and the cultural life of the places where it is used, with discussion as a regular part of the hour. Before and after class come syllabi, assignments, exams, grading, and required attendance and grade records. Many also research a language or literature field and publish in journals, books, or electronic media, and they keep up by reading, talking with colleagues, and joining professional groups. The work is campus-based, split between teaching and scholarly writing. It suits people who like teaching language in detail and following both student work and new scholarship.
Typical education: Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$79'350
Median Wage Market Position
$79'350
What you might do
- Teach students to speak and write another language
- Explain cultural life in regions using the language
- Lead discussions on language, literature, and culture
- Score papers, speech practice, and language exams
- Assemble syllabi, homework, and practice sheets
- Research language or literature and publish findings
Skills that matter
- Teaching speaking and writing in another language
- Explaining cultural aspects of the language
- Attending to student language in class
- Writing language homework and exams
- Publishing findings in scholarly journals
- Grading language papers and exams
AI & the future of this role
Conversation practice, translation drills, and grammar explanation are tasks tutoring systems might absorb more of. Cultural immersion, nuanced speaking feedback, and research could still differentiate strong instructors, yet screen-based language teaching looks especially exposed.
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Related careers
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- History Teachers, Postsecondary
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details