CFChooseField
Education

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Median pay

$77,010
Median annual pay for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-0.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

26,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

0
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Doctoral or professional degree
Typical education needed to enter Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Learning Strategies
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Foreign Language
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Education and Training
  4. 4History and Archeology
  5. 5Philosophy and Theology
  6. 6Sociology and Anthropology

Abilities

  1. 1Speech Clarity
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Speech Recognition
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Written Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Intellectual Curiosity
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Social Orientation
  4. 4Cooperation
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Attention to Detail

Work activities

  1. 1Training and Teaching Others
  2. 2Thinking Creatively
  3. 3Working with Computers
  4. 4Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  3. 3Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  4. 4Freedom to Make Decisions
  5. 5Public Speaking
  6. 6Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Representative tasks

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as how to speak and write a foreign language and the cultural aspects of areas where a particular language is used.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in scholarly journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Keep abreast of developments in their field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional organizations and activities.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

Software and tools

Learning management system LMS · in demandAdobe Illustrator · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyGoogle Docs · hot technologyZoom · hot technologyAdobe Photoshop · hot technologySkypeSakai CLE

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.