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English Teacher Career Guide

A 6-12 English teacher instructs middle or high school students in English language and literature. This guide provides further information on what English teachers do, how you can become one, and the salary and job outlook.

Table of Contents

How to Become an English Teacher

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required to become a middle or high school English teacher. For traditional-route educators in K-12 schools, the bachelor’s program should include a teacher preparation program that is approved by the state board of education.

A student seeking initial certification via a bachelor’s degree program must typically complete two years of general education courses. After prerequisites are met, the student must apply for admission to the university’s teacher education program, which typically occurs in the junior year. From that point, the student will enroll in advanced English and literature classes, along with pedagogy courses designed to teach the candidate how to successfully instruct English in the intended certification grade level, such as middle school or high school.

Students must also pass a series of state tests to earn teacher certification. At least one semester of student teaching is required in most states, and some programs require students to complete additional classroom observations or placements. Most public middle and high school candidates will complete the following steps to become an English teacher. (Note that private school candidates should check with schools of interest, as they may not require licensure.)

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in English or a related subject that includes a teacher preparation program.
  2. Complete a student teaching internship in English and related subjects, such as reading and literature.
  3. Take your state’s required tests for teacher certification.
  4. Apply for your teaching license.
  5. Begin applying for open positions for English teachers.

Prospective teachers looking to teach English/language arts to younger students will become licensed as an elementary school teacher since most subjects are taught by the same teacher at the elementary level. Prospective teachers who intend to teach K-12 classes with English language learners (ELLs) may find it beneficial, or sometimes required, to earn a degree in teaching English as a second language (commonly abbreviated as ESL or ESOL) and pursue an ESL/ESOL endorsement. It is also becoming more common for the coursework for an ESL/ESOL endorsement to be included in the curriculum for other core subject teacher preparation programs, including English.

To teach at the postgraduate level, most colleges and universities require prospective educators to hold post-baccalaureate degrees in English, like a master’s degree or PhD.

Some students decide to teach after they have already completed their bachelor’s degree in English or a related field. In this case, an alternative route to teaching certification may be a good fit. Many universities also offer master’s in education degree programs designed for prospective teachers who already have a bachelor’s degree.

Education Schools and Certification by State

Each state has its own process for becoming a teacher. Below, you will find schools in your state that offer teacher preparation programs, as well as information on traditional and alternative certification pathways specific to your state.

StateSchoolsTraditional CertificationAlternative Certification
CaliforniaCA SchoolsCA Trad. Cert.CA Alt. Cert.
TexasTX SchoolsTX Trad. Cert.TX Alt. Cert.
FloridaFL SchoolsFL Trad. Cert.FL Alt. Cert.
New YorkNY SchoolsNY Trad. Cert.NY Alt. Cert.
PennsylvaniaPA SchoolsPA Trad. Cert.PA Alt. Cert.
IllinoisIL SchoolsIL Trad. Cert.IL Alt. Cert.
OhioOH SchoolsOH Trad. Cert.OH Alt. Cert.
GeorgiaGA SchoolsGA Trad. Cert.GA Alt. Cert.
North CarolinaNC SchoolsNC Trad. Cert.NC Alt. Cert.
MichiganMI SchoolsMI Trad. Cert.MI Alt. Cert.
All StatesAll SchoolsAll Trad. Cert.All Alt. Cert.

English Teacher Job Description

The job of an English teacher requires a deep understanding of sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and literature. It encompasses teaching creative composition such as prose, poetry, short stories, and narratives, as well as technical writing skills which include news articles, reports, journals, and essays. At a basic level, a teacher of English should develop students’ oral and written communication skills, including critical thinking, oral and written comprehension, and problem-solving skills. English teachers in public or private schools are responsible for planning lessons that fit into a school’s approved curriculum and supporting student learning to meet state standards. Patience, flexibility, and creativity in designing instructional activities, as well as excellent communication skills, are sought-after skills for candidates from schools looking to hire English teachers.

Common Tasks

The English teacher’s role in middle or high schools is to effectively teach the correct usage of the English language in speaking and writing and to help students develop composition and reading skills through writing, reading, and literature classes. English teachers may also teach phonetic awareness, sound-to-letter correspondence, and reading skills. The teacher should be attuned to the learning progress of students and be able to identify when to use alternative teaching strategies when necessary. In addition to classroom management tasks, English teachers interact with other faculty during staff meetings and professional development activities, as well as parents of students. Many teachers of English also participate in student tutoring and may advise extracurricular student clubs.

English Teacher Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for middle school teachers in all subjects, excluding special and career and technical education, was $61,810 per year as of 2022.1 Projections indicate that job growth for middle school teachers will be 4% from 2021 to 2031, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.2 Teachers at the high school level earned a median annual salary of $62,360 during the same time period and can expect a 5% job growth rate from 2021 to 2031, which is about average for all occupations.3,4 Postsecondary teachers of English and literature earned a median annual salary of $74,280 in 2022, and postsecondary teachers across all disciplines have expected job growth of 12% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than average.5,6

According to O*NET OnLine data, 53% of respondents said that secondary school teachers should hold a bachelor’s degree, 24% said a master’s degree is recommended, and 15% said a post-baccalaureate certificate is recommended.7 Holding a higher-level degree in English, literature, or a related subject may help prospective English teachers become more competitive in the job market and, in some states, earn a higher salary. As the majority of postsecondary teachers of English hold a master’s or doctoral degree, pursuing an advanced degree can also open up further job opportunities.8

Additional Resources

  • National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): The NCTE exists to advance the teaching and learning of English and language arts at all levels of the education system. Members receive discounts on instructional materials, subscriptions to education-focused journals, and professional development opportunities.

English and Language Arts Teacher Career Interviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What certification is required to become an English teacher?

Answer: Teachers in K-12 public schools must typically hold state certification and subject area endorsements in English language and literature. Many states offer alternative pathways to certification for career switchers or those who hold a bachelor’s degree that did not include coursework in teaching, which may include provisional licensing that allows licensees to begin teaching while working towards the requirements for a regular teaching certificate. Your state board of education or college program can provide further details on certification requirements specific to your state. You can also check out our traditional certification and alternative certification guides.

Question: What career opportunities are available for English teachers?

Answer: In addition to teaching in K-12 public and private schools and colleges and universities (for those with advanced degrees) in the US, English teachers are in high demand overseas. Many programs connect recent English graduates with school districts abroad for beginning teaching experience. English teachers may also find job opportunities in the private sector tutoring and coaching English language learners for multinational corporations.

Question: What certifications can English teachers earn to advance their careers?

Answer: In addition to bachelor’s and advanced degrees, English teachers can earn certificates in teaching English as a second or foreign language (ESL or EFL). In many states, this qualifies teachers for an ESL/TESOL subject endorsement on the teaching license. See our guide for ESL teachers and our guide for TEFL teachers for more information. Other common certificates include advanced training in teaching business English, communication, and creative writing.

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, Middle School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252022.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Middle School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, High School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252031.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2021, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251123.htm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
7. O*NET OnLine, Secondary School Teachers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2031.00
8. O*NET OnLine, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1123.00