What does an English Teacher do?

An English Teacher helps a school meet the goals established by district representatives and government officials. For example, English Teachers must use state or district learning objectives to prepare their lesson plans and choose appropriate learning activities.

Many states require students to take standardized tests in the core subjects, English, science, social studies and mathematics. If your state is one of them, an English Teacher may be able to help your school improve its average scores.

English Teacher skills and qualifications

Some qualifications you may wish to include in your English Teacher job description include:

• Excellent communication skills to explain course materials, deliver presentations, write reports and interact with parents and guardians

• Adaptability to adjust lesson plans based on student needs and changes in the learning environment

• Strong classroom management skills to maintain an orderly and focused learning space

• Organizational skills for lesson planning, grading and managing classroom resources

• Time management skills to balance instruction, grading and administrative responsibilities

• Ability to collaborate with other education professionals to enhance student learning

• A strong command of the English language, including grammar, vocabulary and composition techniques

English Teacher experience requirements

An English Teacher should typically have experience working as a Student Teacher while obtaining their bachelor’s degree or teaching credential. If your school needs someone to teach advanced classes, you may want to look for an English Teacher with at least three to five years of experience. However, it depends on your district’s hiring policies.

English Teacher education and training requirements

In most states, an English Teacher must have a bachelor’s degree to qualify for certification. If you’re hiring an English Teacher, you should also be aware of other certification requirements in your state.

For example, many states require secondary English Teachers to pass a content exam, such as the Praxis English Language Arts exam. If you’re hiring an English Teacher for an elementary school, your state may require the Praxis Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts Subtest or similar.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this English Teacher job description isn’t the right fit for your needs, here are some descriptions for similar jobs:

• Assistant Teacher

• Elementary Teacher

• ESL Teacher

• High School Teacher

English Teacher job description FAQs

How do English Teachers use technology in their classrooms?

Many duties of an English Teacher involve some type of computer use. For example, English Teachers use word-processing software to write lesson plans and prepare classroom handouts. An English Teacher may also use an online grading system or digital course software to perform their duties. Some English Teachers may incorporate online discussion platforms as part of their curriculum.

What recruiting methods are helpful for filling English Teacher job openings?

Once you post an English Teacher job description, you need to use effective recruiting methods. Online job boards, education websites and magazines written for education professionals are all good places to advertise your openings. Another way to find quality candidates is to start an employee referral program at your school.