Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Education & Library
• O*NET-SOC code: 25-1124
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
• Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
• Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.

Tools and technology

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Google Docs, Learning management system LMS, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Zoom, Adobe PageMaker, American Sign Language ASL browser

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
• Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
• Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
• History Teachers, Postsecondary
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
• Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
• Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.