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Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
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.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $40K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $54K
Median Salary: $69K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $98K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $135K
Demand
Core Tasks
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
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.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
Write letters of recommendation for students.
Develop and maintain Web pages for teaching-related purposes.
Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
Organize and direct study abroad programs.
Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
Participate in campus and community events.
Act as advisers to student organizations.
Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Foreign Language
100%
Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
English Language
88%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
82%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
History and Archeology
67%
Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Philosophy and Theology
65%
Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Sociology and Anthropology
62%
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Clerical
61%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Geography
60%
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Fine Arts
55%
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Computers and Electronics
51%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Top 10 Skills
Speaking
83%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
80%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Instructing
80%
Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies
80%
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Reading Comprehension
80%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
80%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
78%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Critical Thinking
75%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
73%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving
70%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Top 10 Abilities
Speech Clarity
93%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Oral Expression
85%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
83%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech Recognition
80%
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension
80%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Inductive Reasoning
73%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Deductive Reasoning
68%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Near Vision
68%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity
65%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Top 10 Work Activities
Training and Teaching Others
89%
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Thinking Creatively
87%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Interacting With Computers
86%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
82%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Getting Information
78%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
78%
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
78%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
73%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Analyzing Data or Information
71%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
70%
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Detailed Work Activities
Develop instructional materials.
Maintain student records.
Evaluate student work.
Guide class discussions.
Teach humanities courses at the college level.
Research topics in area of expertise.
Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise.
Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization.
Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
Prepare tests.
Advise students on academic or career matters.
Evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.
Develop instructional objectives.
Select educational materials or equipment.
Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
Write reports or evaluations.
Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
Direct department activities.
Coordinate student extracurricular activities.
Promote educational institutions or programs.
Perform student enrollment or registration activities.
Compile specialized bibliographies or lists of materials.
Plan community programs or activities for the general public.
Supervise student research or internship work.
Create technology-based learning materials.
Write grant proposals.
Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.
Work Context
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Public Speaking
How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
Education
Majors
Major
Interests
Social
100%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
77%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Investigative
77%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
43%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
39%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic
19%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Self Control
93%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Persistence
89%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort
87%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Dependability
87%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Stress Tolerance
87%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Concern for Others
86%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Independence
85%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
85%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
85%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Analytical Thinking
84%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Work Values
Independence
86%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Relationships
86%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
69%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Support
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
