Education and libraries
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.
Median pay
$79,350
Growth to 2035
0%
little or no change
Openings a year
1,600
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Time sitting
Time standing
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary: 74% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Foreign Languages Professor · French Professor · German Professor · Instructor · Modern Languages Professor · Professor
Outlook and AI
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary held 24,600 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 24,700 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. High school teacher
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. History teachers, postsecondary
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. Elementary school teacher
- Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary vs. Interpreters and translators