Teaching English or French as a Second Language: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepares students to effectively instruct non-native speakers in English or French through evidence-based pedagogical strategies and deep linguistic understanding. This program equips learners with the expertise to design, deliver, and assess language instruction in diverse educational and cultural settings.
- Second Language Acquisition Theory: Explores the cognitive, psychological, and social processes involved in learning a language beyond one’s native tongue.
- Curriculum and Instruction Design: Focuses on developing effective lesson plans, syllabi, and instructional materials tailored to language learners at various proficiency levels.
- Language Assessment and Evaluation: Covers methods for measuring language proficiency, diagnosing learner needs, and using data to inform teaching practices.
- Intercultural Communication: Examines cultural contexts in language use and prepares educators to foster cross-cultural understanding in the classroom.
- Grammar and Linguistic Structure: Provides a detailed understanding of the grammatical systems and phonological features of English and French as target languages.
- Technology in Language Education: Integrates digital tools, online platforms, and multimedia resources to enhance language learning experiences.
- Teaching Methodologies: Investigates a range of instructional approaches, including task-based learning, content and language integrated learning (CLIL), and communicative language teaching.
Teaching English or French as a Second Language Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Teaching English or French as a Second Language Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Teaching English or French as a Second Language degrees, including Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,681,970 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2021 | $62,340 | $46,440 - $102,010 | 1,393,310 | N/A |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2012 | $61,430 | $45,750 - $99,360 | 114,410 | N/A |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors 25-3011 | $59,950 | $39,750 - $95,750 | 36,260 | $28.82 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2011 | $37,120 | $28,300 - $60,070 | 445,080 | $17.85 |
Teaching English or French as a Second Language Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $44,150 in South Dakota to $86,858 in California—a 97% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,681,970 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Teaching English or French as a Second Language by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 8 institutions offering Teaching English or French as a Second Language programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Teaching English or French as a Second Language is found at Rider University (5 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (5 graduates), Ashford University (UAGC) (4 graduates), Moody Bible Institute (MBI) (2 graduates), and Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 21 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| Moody Bible Institute (MBI) |
Master's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | moody.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mishawaka, Indiana | Private | betheluniversity.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Teaching English or French as a Second Language programs
How much can I earn with a Teaching English or French as a Second Language degree?
Salaries for Teaching English or French as a Second Language graduates vary by role and location. Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn a median of $64,580 annually, while Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $62,970. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $86,858 compared to $44,150 in South Dakota. Approximately 3,681,970 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Teaching English or French as a Second Language programs?
Currently 8 accredited institutions offer Teaching English or French as a Second Language degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Rider University (5 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (5 graduates), and Ashford University (UAGC) (4 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Teaching English or French as a Second Language growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 685 in 2010 to a peak of 37 in 2020, before declining slightly to 21 in 2023-24. This represents a 97% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Teaching English or French as a Second Language degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. Related occupations employ approximately 3,681,970 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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