Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Degree
Students study linguistics, second language acquisition theory, cross-cultural communication, and methods for teaching English or French to non-native speakers. Graduates typically pursue careers as ESL/EFL teachers domestically and abroad, language program directors, and curriculum developers for language learning companies. This major offers unique opportunities to work internationally and serve immigrant communities.
What Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Graduates Do
Your degree prepares you for the dynamic, hands-on work of language instruction. As an elementary or secondary school teacher, your days revolve around managing a classroom, crafting lesson plans that meet state standards, and finding creative ways to explain grammar and culture. You'll spend significant time assessing student work and communicating with parents. Alternatively, you could teach adults practical English for their jobs and daily lives, adapting on the fly to a wide range of proficiency levels in a single class.
Career progression often means moving from the classroom into leadership. You could become a lead teacher, a curriculum developer designing materials for an entire district, or, with further education, a school administrator. While the demand for preschool teachers is growing, most K-12 and adult education roles face headwinds with projected job declines, making it a competitive field.
A key advantage of this path is its low exposure to AI disruption. While AI can be a useful assistant for generating lesson ideas or handling basic grading, it cannot manage a classroom, build trust with a hesitant student, or provide the empathetic, real-time feedback essential for learning. This deep interpersonal connection is a uniquely human skill, making teaching a durable career in an increasingly automated world.
Common Career Paths
Where Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 279,900 combined openings per year.
| Career Path | Salary Range | Openings/yr | Growth | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education | 66,200 | -1.6% | 33% | |
| Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education | 40,500 | -2.0% | 35% | |
| Elementary school teachers, except special education | 91,000 | -2.0% | 31% | |
| Kindergarten teachers, except special education | 12,800 | -1.6% | 23% | |
| Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors | 3,900 | -13.7% | 40% | |
| Preschool teachers, except special education | 65,500 | +4.1% | 23% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Best Schools for Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
6 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NY |
72 74–72 |
$48,923/yr | 20.2x |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA |
52 58–53 |
$41,267/yr | 9.6x |
| 3 | Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH |
44 53–45 |
$38,002/yr | 4.3x |
| 4 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA |
36 48–37 |
$34,876/yr | 4.0x |
| 5 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX |
35 46–35 |
$25,048/yr | 5.4x |
| 6 | Ashford University San Diego, CA |
28 38–29 |
$22,257/yr | 3.9x |
Highest Earning Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Programs
Schools where Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|
| CUNY Queens College | $48,923/yr | 72 |
| University of Northern Iowa | $41,267/yr | 52 |
| Miami University-Oxford | $38,002/yr | 44 |
| Liberty University | $34,876/yr | 36 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $25,048/yr | 35 |
| Ashford University | $22,257/yr | 28 |
Best ROI for Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Queens College | 20.2x | $48,923/yr | 72 |
| University of Northern Iowa | 9.6x | $41,267/yr | 52 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 5.4x | $25,048/yr | 35 |
| Miami University-Oxford | 4.3x | $38,002/yr | 44 |
| Liberty University | 4.0x | $34,876/yr | 36 |
| Ashford University | 3.9x | $22,257/yr | 28 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Consider the Trade Route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.