Foreign language teachers teach second languages to students in various settings, including schools and universities. They may also work as private tutors and use technology to teach online. Requirements include a degree in the language, teaching certification, and language proficiency. Private institutions have their own requirements.
Foreign language instructors teach a second language to students in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as universities and private schools. They may also work independently as teachers or private tutors for individual students or with a small group. With the technological advances available in 2011, foreign language teachers can also teach students over the Internet through audio calls, video chats and multimedia presentations. If you want to become a foreign language teacher, you will typically need a university degree with a focus on the language you want to teach, excellent foreign language skills, and, for some institutions, specific certifications.
To become a foreign language teacher in an elementary, middle, or high school, you will need a bachelor’s degree in the language you want to teach and a teaching certificate for your location. A bachelor’s degree usually includes an emphasis on education and requires a field placement that includes a period of student teaching. You will take basic courses through advanced courses in the language of study and may have the opportunity to study abroad in a country that speaks your second language. Most degree programs help you meet the requirements to earn a teaching certificate in your state; however, you will also need to take state assessment tests based on the grade levels you plan to teach.
If you want to become a foreign language teacher in a university setting, you’ll need at least a Master’s degree in the language you want to teach or an advanced degree in education. A master’s degree usually allows you to teach undergraduate students, although some universities prefer their professors to have doctorates. If your master’s degree is not specific to the language you are teaching, you may be able to teach the subject if you take a specified number of additional graduate courses in the language. Students who are in doctoral programs may also have earned enough credits to meet the requirement.
Private institutions and language schools have their own requirements for becoming a foreign language teacher. Many of them require you to have a college degree, pass a language assessment, and pass the company’s customized certification program. The certification program usually includes training in the company’s teaching methods and often uses computer-based training modules. If you plan to work as a private tutor or tutor, your language skills alone may land you a job, but your students may prefer someone with a university degree.
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