English Teacher: Salary, Job Description, and Educational Requirements

• What do middle school English teachers do?
• Educational and certification requirements
• Salary and employment projections
• Pros and cons of being a middle school English teacher

A middle school teacher’s job is to prepare students for high school English courses.

Middle school English teacher job description

Middle school English teachers generally teach grades six to eight. In some junior high schools, however, they may teach seventh and eighth grades. Some private and parochial, or faith-based, middle schools include ninth grade as part of middle school.

Private and public middle school teachers are expected to work full-time schedules Monday through Friday. In addition to teaching, English teachers spend much of their time on lesson planning, grading papers and tests, and working with individual students as necessary to keep all students learning at grade level.

Typical duties:

• Organize and manage classrooms and work with administrators to implement school policies and procedures
• Assign classroom lessons and homework; grade assignments, essays and term papers with clarity and attention to detail
• Administer and grade tests while staying current with state and local middle school standards for English reading, writing and speaking standards
• Develop scaffolding (curriculum expectation) tables, working within the parameters of state and local requirements, and provide diagnostic feedback
• Conduct open classroom sessions for parents and guardians, and schedule parent-teacher conferences as needed

Middle school English curriculum

Middle school English teachers are focused primarily on reading, writing and speech development. They simultaneously work with classes and individual students to promote correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Although grammar and simple sentence structure should be covered in elementary school, middle school English teachers should be prepared to provide remedial lessons as necessary to ensure grade-level performance.

Reading is an extremely important subject for middle school students and English teachers. Middle school students transition from casually reading children’s books in elementary school to comprehending meaning, style and point of view for a variety of genres, including fiction and nonfiction texts.

Writing exercises, reports, essays and tests for middle school students advance from simple sentence structure and independent clauses to the use of parallel sentences and dependent clauses. Middle school teachers are responsible for introducing students to more complex words, the use of connotations and synonyms, logical paragraph transitions, writing organization and story structure, literary style, and the introduction of satire and irony through classic and contemporary literature.

Here is a closer look at current English curriculum goals — what middle school students are expected to know and be able to do upon graduation and advancement to high school:

• Reading: ideas and details – Focus on analysis of texts, themes and central ideas, plot structure and character development
• Reading: craft and structure – Know word meanings and the context of phrases, figurative and connotative meanings, word choice selection and tone
• Reading: craft and structure – Understand how authors use writing elements and literary techniques to convey point of view; analyze sentences and chapters, scenes or stanzas
• Reading: compare and contrast – Use a variety of resources, including books, short stories, speeches, video and other media, to analyze various literary genres or themes and determine what type is appropriate for a given topic
• Writing: production – Develop clear and coherent writing through lessons and assignments focused on organization and style choices that are appropriate for a given audience
• Writing: technology – Use the Internet and other electronic resources to publish or post writing through blogs and social media; and develop techniques for efficient use of keyboards
• Writing: information – Use resources, including print and digital, to plan and gather information; understand the credibility of sources; learn when to quote people directly and when to paraphrase
• Speaking: collaboration – Begin public speaking by preparing, writing and delivering speeches; lead discussions with peers through groups, one-on-one sessions and through teacher-led exercises
• Speaking: comprehension – Select grade-appropriate topics, introduce abstract concepts and concrete topics and build on the ideas of others; respond to ideas from groups, asking questions and answering participants, and acknowledging positive contributions
• Speaking: analysis – Analyze information and feedback received from peers and the teacher; interpret their comments, criticisms and contributions objectively; acknowledge relevance and develop tactful arguments to refute contrary claims when appropriate

How to become a middle school English teacher: educational requirements

English teachers at all levels are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, mass communications or a specialized discipline such as creative writing or literature. English teachers often specialize in subjects such as grammar and various literary genres, like British or American literature, public speaking and debate, or writing.

• Less than high school diploma: 0.2%
• High school diploma or equivalent: 0.3%
• Some college, no degree: 2.9%
• Associate degree: 1.9%
• Bachelor’s degree: 44.3%
• Master’s degree: 46.5%
• Doctoral or professional degree: 3.9%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (Note: Data listed is for middle school teachers overall, and not English specific)

Certification requirements for middle school English teachers

A state-issued teaching certificate or license is generally required to become a middle school teacher. However, some private schools do not require a teaching credential as a job condition. Certification and licensing requirements for middle school teachers vary from state to state. Teachers usually must take professional development courses as a condition of certification.

Teaching License Reciprocity by State: Visit our state-by-state teacher licensing and reciprocity page for regulations in your state.

Alternative certification is becoming increasingly popular, with an estimated 20 percent of teachers entering the profession through nontraditional means. Because of fluctuating teacher shortages, states are offering alternative ways for people who already have bachelor’s degrees to get certified.

People with mass communications, journalism, marketing and public relations degrees who are well-grounded in English grammar and expository writing might consider teaching as an alternate career choice. These professionals, perhaps enticed by a standard workweek and two-month summer vacations, need to become certified before entering the education field. After graduating from teaching certification programs, these new English teachers are mentored by an experienced teacher until they earn full certification.

Middle school English teacher salary and employment projections

The salary for all middle school teachers across the United States ranges from about $36,000 to $56,000.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: $53,940
• Glassdoor.com: $47,979
• PayScale.com: $42,381
• Simply Hired: $36,000

The employment outlook for middle school teachers appears stable in certain regions, and the overall demand for teachers is stronger than many other professions. In some expanding U.S. regions, such as the Southeast, Southwest and West, job growth for middle school teachers is relatively strong. Overall, the BLS estimates a 12 percent growth rate for middle school teachers through 2022.

Pros and cons of being a middle school English teacher

Pros:

• Teaching young students with intermediate-level grammar and writing skills and improving their English language abilities
• Advancing reading, writing and oral communications skills for students at a crucial age as they prepare for a high school curriculum
• Working in a profession that reflects the teacher’s passions for literature, writing and other subjects like drama, debate and journalism

Cons:

• Working in classrooms with students who possess a wide range of learning abilities that can result in behavior issues
• Dealing with administrative processes and classroom procedures that are sometimes bureaucratic and frustrating
• Teaching adolescents at a difficult age level in a subject that requires concentration while dealing with some disruptive students

• What do high school English teachers do?
• Educational and certification requirements
• Salary and employment projections
• Pros and cons of being a high school English teacher

High school English teacher job description

High school English teachers generally teach grades nine to 12, though some high schools start at 10th grade. In certain parochial, or faith-based, preparatory schools students are expected to be more advanced; therefore, teachers should be prepared to teach college prep courses.

Private and public high school teachers are expected to work full-time schedules Monday through Friday. In addition to teaching, English teachers spend much of their time on lesson planning, grading papers and tests, and working with individual students as necessary to keep all students at grade level.

High school English teachers are often called upon to teach yearbook and journalism classes, where they assist students as editors, reporters and staff writers in producing the school’s daily or weekly newspaper online as well as in print.

A high school English teacher’s job is to prepare students for college and career.

Typical duties:

• Implement school policies and procedures, as determined by school administrators
• Plan lessons, lectures, reading and writing assignments appropriate to high school English state and local academic standards
• Prepare students for grade advancement through subject-specific assessments that test their knowledge and ability
• Develop English language arts curriculum, working within the parameters of state and local requirements, and provide diagnostic feedback
• Meet with students individually when necessary to assess progress, improve learning performance levels and achieve overall education success

High school English curriculum

High school English teachers are responsible for covering more specific and in-depth subjects than their middle school colleagues. In ninth grade, English teachers continue to focus on grammar rules, sentence structure and expository writing techniques. They also introduce students to sophisticated reading materials and more expansive writing assignments, like research papers.

As students progress through 10th, 11th and 12th grades, they are usually given choices in elective English courses. These can range from studying literature and plays, to analyzing satire and poetry, to public speaking and creative writing. This gives high school English instructors a wide latitude of courses to teach, but it also requires a higher level of curriculum expertise that often requires a master’s degree.

Here is a closer look at current English curriculum goals — what high school students are expected to know and be able to do upon graduation and advancement to college or career:

• Reading: ideas and details – Focus on evidence of what texts state explicitly; provide objective summary of texts; analyze how complex characters interact with other characters in texts and how authors advance plots and develop themes
• Reading: craft and structure – Determine word meaning and how phrases are used to derive figurative and connotative meanings
• Reading: craft and structure – Analyze tone and how authors develop a sense of time and place, as well as point of view and cultural experience for literature within settings outside the United States
• Reading: text complexity – Read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas and poems for high school complexity and proficiency
• Reading: text complexity – Demonstrate knowledge of early American and 20th-century American literature through reading and interpretative writing
• Writing: types and purposes – Write analytical arguments with alternative and opposing views through counterarguments and claims (pros and cons) while offering supporting evidence
• Writing: ideas and complexity – Use words, phrases and clauses to establish text cohesion and establish relationships between claims
• Writing: ideas and complexity – Establish formal style, objective tone and distinct voice; organize complex ideas, concepts and information accurately and clearly
• Writing: supporting claims – Use relevant and sufficient facts to support claims, with extended definitions and quotations
• Writing: supporting claims – Use organizational structure with outlines, transitions and appropriate relationships among complex ideas and concepts
• Research: build and present knowledge – Conduct short and sustained research to answer questions and solve problems through narrow and broad inquiries, using multiple sources and media, including Internet search tools
• Speaking and listening: collaboration – Prepare for discussions through well-read and researched support materials, refer to research as evidence to support talking points and stimulate discussion and the exchange of ideas
• Speaking and listening: knowledge and ideas – Work with peers and teacher to establish rules for collegial discussions, decision-making, informal consensus, surveys and voting to present alternate rules and set goals for outcomes
• Speaking and listening: engage audience – Initiate discussions and propel conversations about topics to stimulate audience and reach conclusions through reasoning, use of evidence and rhetoric, and identification of distorted views

How to become a high school English teacher: educational requirements

English teachers at all levels are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, mass communications or a specialized discipline such as creative writing or literature. Many high school English teachers also hold master’s degrees. English teachers often specialize in grammar and various literary genres, like British or American literature, public speaking and debate, drama, short stories or essay writing.

• Less than high school diploma: 0.2%
• High school diploma or equivalent: 0.2%
• Some college, no degree: 2.3%
• Associate degree: 1.5%
• Bachelor’s degree: 43.4%
• Master’s degree: 48.3%
• Doctoral or professional degree: 4%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (Note: Data listed is for high school teachers overall, and not English specific)

Certification requirements for high school English teachers

A state-issued teaching certificate or license is generally required to become a high school teacher. However, some private schools do not indicate a teaching credential as a job prerequisite. Specific certification and licensing requirements for high school teachers vary among the states. Teachers are usually required to take professional development courses as a condition of certification.

Teaching License Reciprocity by State: Visit our state-by-state teacher licensing and reciprocity page for regulations in your state.

Alternative certification is becoming increasingly popular, with an estimated 20 percent of teachers entering the profession through nontraditional means. Because of fluctuating teacher shortages, states are offering alternative ways for people who already have bachelor’s degrees to get certified.

People with communications, journalism, marketing and public relations degrees who are well-grounded in English grammar and expository writing might consider teaching as an alternate career choice. These professionals, perhaps enticed by a standard workweek and two-month summer vacations, need to become certified before entering the education field. After graduating from teaching certification programs, new teachers are mentored by an experienced teacher until they earn full certification.

High school English teacher salary and employment projections

The salary for all high school teachers across the United States ranges from about $38,000 to $56,000 based on estimates.

• Salary.com: $56,142
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: $55,050
• PayScale.com: $45,049
• Simply Hired: $38,000

The employment outlook for high school teachers appears stable in certain regions, and the overall demand for teachers is stronger than many other professions. In some expanding U.S. regions, such as the Southeast, Southwest and West, job growth for high school teachers is relatively strong. Overall, the BLS estimates a 6 percent growth rate for high school teachers through 2022.

Pros and cons of being a high school English teacher

Pros:

• Working with teenage students who are focused on college and career preparation can be less challenging than working in middle schools.
• Teaching young people critical thinking and language development skills is rewarding for people who want to help students prepare for college and career.
• Working among colleagues with similar interests and career goals, and focused on shared curriculum and classroom management techniques, is stimulating.

Cons:

• High school English teachers often work with students who have a wide range of learning levels that make it challenging to accomplish class-oriented goals.
• Salaries for high school teachers, particularly those with advanced degrees, is relatively low compared to counterparts in other professions.
• Subject specialization can be less interesting for high school English teachers compared to general education teachers in elementary schools.

Get a glimpse of Sean McComb, 2014 National Teacher of the Year:

• What do postsecondary-level English teachers do?
• Educational requirements
• Salary and employment projections
• Pros and cons of being a postsecondary English teacher

This gives postsecondary English teachers opportunities to advance their own knowledge of subjects they care deeply about while researching and writing books, publishing reports, magazine and online articles, and peer review papers.

Postsecondary English teachers teach in lecture halls, medium-size classrooms and even online. They specialize in literature and writing and often focus on teaching tomorrow’s English teachers, who earn credentials to teach K-6, intermediate-level or high school students. College English teachers frequently serve as role models for English majors who also aspire to become teachers.

Postsecondary English teacher job description

Postsecondary English teachers cover the range of professional schools, junior colleges, state and private colleges, and universities. However, their audience comprises adults of all ages who are interested in English grammar, literature and writing.

Postsecondary teachers have more flexibility over the format of their instructional methods than their K-12 counterparts. They also have greater control over their schedules, with many postsecondary instructors teaching part time, as well as full time. They have fewer classroom management and procedural responsibilities than grade-school teachers but are expected to devote significant time to preparing lectures and instructions for assignments, in addition to evaluating and providing individual guidance to students when necessary.

Typical duties:

• Creating a syllabus and preparing coursework focused on grammar, punctuation and spelling, reading and writing
• Preparing and giving lectures, leading discussions and giving multimedia presentations that enhance student understanding of vocabulary, reading and writing concepts
• Grading term papers, tests and other assignments, particularly writing, which can range from poetry to short stories to fiction and nonfiction manuscripts
• Working with associates and department leaders to coordinate English language arts exercises, instructional best practices and English department teaching goals
• Serving on academic and administrative committees and working with school provosts, department associates and staff on policy decisions that affect English language arts learners
• Working within budgets and helping to support English department objectives and school policies, with the overriding goal of promoting student learning
• Attending professional advancement seminars, symposiums and other events to expand knowledge of English language arts and contemporary teaching methods

And, specific to university professors:

• Conduct research to advance knowledge in their English subject specialization
• Publish books and articles, original research and analysis in academic journals
• Supervise graduate students who are working toward doctoral degrees

What about teaching English online?

English teachers who work online can be employed by community colleges, universities, vocational schools, or private education companies that cater to non-native English speakers.

Today’s computer technology advancements and a dramatic demand for online college courses provide postsecondary teachers with more career options.

English teachers have a multitude of media at their disposal, including real-time audio, face-to-face videoconferencing and presentation tools that facilitate the instruction of grammar and writing subjects in ways that were impossible or cost-prohibitive until the 21st century.

Many online instructors work in adjunct teaching roles. This means they work on a contract basis and are compensated per course. Some online adjuncts teach several courses for multiple schools and work enough hours to be considered full time.

How to become a postsecondary English teacher: educational requirements

Educational requirements vary with the type of postsecondary institution. Teachers who work at four-year colleges and universities are most often required to have a doctoral degree in their discipline. However, some schools may hire instructors with master’s degrees or those who are doctoral candidates for part-time positions.

Instructors with master’s degrees comprise the majority of full-time teaching positions at two-year colleges. Candidates holding dual master’s degrees have an advantage because they can teach more than one subject. Many two-year institutions prefer applicants who have experience with distance learning or teaching.

Doctoral programs generally take six to eight years to complete, including time spent earning a master’s degree and writing a doctoral dissertation. It is fairly common for students to conduct postdoctoral research for two additional years before they seek a faculty position.

• Less than high school diploma: 0.2%
• High school diploma or equivalent: 0.1%
• Some college, no degree: 2.6%
• Associate degree: 2.3%
• Bachelor’s degree: 16.0%
• Master’s degree: 35.6%
• Doctoral or professional degree: 43.3%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (Note: Data listed is for postsecondary teachers overall, and not English specific)

Postsecondary/college English teacher salary and employment projections

Postsecondary English language and literature teachers earned a median salary of $60,920, according to BLS data for 2013, a slight increase from 2012. The statistics cover English teachers working at colleges, universities and professional schools at the local and state levels, and for private institutions. On average, university and four-year college teachers earn higher salaries than their counterparts at junior colleges.

• Salary.com: $53,223 to $190,165, with a median of $83,252
• Glassdoor.com: $56,837 to $121,825
• HigherEdJobs.com: $53,968 to $82,840 for tenure-track or tenured

Employment of all postsecondary English teachers is projected to grow about 12 percent through 2022, slower than in the past. Most openings are expected to be for part-time faculty.

• Junior colleges (private and public): 3.9%. Annual mean wage of $67,670
• Colleges and universities (private and public): 1.5%. Annual mean wage of $69,330
• Technical and trade schools (private): 0.24%. Annual mean wage of $49,650
• Educational support services (public state): 0.32%. Annual mean wage of $57,090

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 

A note on tenure: For postsecondary teachers, a significant goal in the traditional academic career is attaining tenure — a guarantee that a professor cannot be fired without just cause. The tenure process can take up to seven years of moving up the ranks in tenure-track positions. The ranks are assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Tenure is granted through a review of the candidate’s research, contribution to the institution, and teaching abilities. However, institutions are relying more heavily on limited-term and part-time faculty contracts.

Pros and cons of being a college English teacher

Pros:

• Becoming an expert in a specialized area of literature like Shakespearean playwriting or the study of Greek tragedies
• Working with young adults who share a passion for English language arts, either as a future career choice or as a gateway to other professions
• Finding opportunities to publish, including literary fiction, autobiographical and nonfiction writing, and work toward tenure
• Cultivating collaborative relationships with other professionals by attending conferences, symposiums, and visiting instructor exchange programs devoted to English language arts best practices

Cons:

• Teaching college students is demanding and requires long hours devoted to course preparation, reading and grading essays and short stories
• The sometimes bureaucratic policies on campuses of higher learning can be frustrating for English teachers, who may feel inhibited by structured environments that limit the creative process
• Competition to achieve tenure and get published is intense at most postsecondary schools, and the competitive nature of literary publishing requires persistence and fortitude
• Salaries for college professors are relatively low compared to some college graduates with English degrees who can earn higher wages in the private and government sectors