SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Assistant Professor
  • Associate Professor
  • Foreign Languages Professor
  • French Professor
  • German Professor
  • Instructor
  • Modern Languages Professor
  • Professor

What is a foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary?

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers at the postsecondary level are responsible for instructing students in the study of foreign languages and their respective literatures. They engage students in advanced language acquisition, comprehension, and application while also delving into cultural nuances and literary analysis from various regions around the world. These educators often work at colleges and universities, delivering lectures, facilitating discussions, and assigning readings that explore the linguistic structures, historical development, and literary works of a specific language or languages. Their courses may include intermediate to advanced language instruction, translation studies, comparative literature, and cultural studies. Additionally, they may conduct research in their field, publish scholarly articles, and participate in academic conferences, contributing to the larger scholarly community. These positions often require a strong academic background in the relevant languages and literatures, typically including a master’s or doctoral degree, as well as a commitment to fostering a lively intellectual environment that encourages students to engage deeply with language and culture.

What the work actually is

  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
  • Learning Strategies Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

  • Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

  • Foreign Language Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • History and Archeology Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  • Philosophy and Theology Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Doctoral degree
Master's degree
Bachelor's degree

A normal week

  • Training and Teaching Others
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Working with Computers
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Getting Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Word processing software Collaborative editing software · Google Docs · Microsoft Word
  • Computer based training software Blackboard Learn · Learning management system LMS · Moodle · Sakai CLE
  • Electronic mail software Email software · Microsoft Outlook
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe Illustrator · Adobe Photoshop
  • Desktop publishing software Adobe PageMaker · QuarkXPress

Tools

  • Microphones Handheld microphones · Wireless microphones
  • Televisions Liquid crystal display LCD televisions · Television monitors
  • Portable data input terminals Interactive whiteboard controllers · Student response systems
  • Multimedia projectors Computer projectors · Multimedia projection equipment
  • Teleconference equipment Conference telephones

Who it suits

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

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Questions people ask

How much does a foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary earn in South Africa?

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What is a foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary?

Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts, Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records and Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.