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Foreign Language Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Foreign Language Instructor information

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$69K

$86.8K

$115.5K

How much do foreign language instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for foreign language instructor in the United States is $86,800.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $96,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Foreign Language Instructor do?

A Foreign Language Instructor teaches students how to speak, read, write, and understand a foreign language. They develop lesson plans, create engaging activities, and assess student progress to ensure effective learning. Instructors may work in schools, universities, language institutes, or offer private lessons, and often incorporate cultural aspects of the language into their teaching. Their goal is to help students achieve fluency and confidence in using the new language.

What Does a Foreign Language Instructor Do?

As a foreign language instructor, your responsibilities revolve around working to teach students a foreign language. Your exact job duties depend on the needs, skill level, and age of your students. You instruct speaking, reading, or writing, though your focus may shift depending on your students. You may work on conversational skills and basic proficiency with the language or assist advanced students as they become fluent. You plan the curriculum for the class based on the goals of the students, the academic requirements of the institution (if any), and adjust lesson plans to address student needs.

What are some common challenges Foreign Language Instructors face when teaching students with varying proficiency levels in the same class?

Foreign Language Instructors often encounter classes where students have diverse backgrounds and varying degrees of fluency. Balancing lessons to engage advanced learners while supporting beginners can be challenging. Instructors typically use differentiated instruction, group activities, and personalized feedback to ensure each student’s needs are met. Additionally, managing classroom dynamics and encouraging participation from less confident speakers are important skills that contribute to a positive and effective learning environment.

What is the difference between Foreign Language Instructor vs Language Tutor?

AspectForeign Language InstructorLanguage Tutor
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in education or language, teaching certificationsOften requires language proficiency, certifications optional
Work EnvironmentClassroom settings, schools, language institutesOne-on-one or small group sessions, online or in-person
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, language schoolsPrivate clients, online platforms, tutoring agencies
Search & ComparisonOften searched by those seeking formal instruction or employment in educationPopular among individuals seeking personalized, flexible learning

Foreign Language Instructors typically work in formal educational settings with required teaching credentials, focusing on classroom instruction. Language Tutors usually provide personalized lessons, often independently or online, with less formal certification needed. Both roles aim to improve language skills but differ in environment and structure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Foreign Language Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Foreign Language Instructor, you need fluency in the target language, a strong grasp of grammar and linguistics, and typically a relevant degree or teaching certification. Familiarity with language teaching software, digital classroom tools, and standardized language proficiency assessments is often required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability help instructors engage diverse learners and foster an inclusive environment. These skills are crucial to effectively teach language, facilitate communication, and support student success in multicultural settings.
What cities are hiring for Foreign Language Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Foreign Language Instructor job openings:
What states have the most Foreign Language Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Foreign Language Instructor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Foreign Language Instructor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Foreign Language Instructor jobs are:
Infographic showing various Foreign Language Instructor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,800 per year, or $41.7 per hour.
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Language Instructor

Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Language Instructor

Leidos

Vienna, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 425 rated business services


Job description

Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Instructor
Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
Unleash your potential at Leidos, where we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Leidos will sponsor and upgrade security clearances for eligible candidates.
Take Your Expertise to the Next Level - Join Leidos as a Language Instructor
Required languages: Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian
Are you a seasoned Language Instructor ready to elevate your career and make a meaningful impact? The Leidos Intel Sector is actively seeking a highly skilled and motivated Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Instructor to support a critical national security mission. This is not just another teaching job-it's an opportunity to apply your expertise in language, culture, and pedagogy in a dynamic and mission-driven environment.
We're looking for a passionate professional with a strong foundation in foreign language instruction, advanced knowledge of adult learning methodologies, and a commitment to excellence. You will play a key role in delivering language training, conducting proficiency testing, and shaping the next generation of linguistically prepared professionals.
Why Join Leidos?
  • Be part of a mission-focused team serving national security priorities.
  • Leverage your linguistic and cultural fluency to shape high-impact training.
  • Grow your career in a supportive environment with opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Responsibilities Include:
As a Language Instructor, you will:
  • Deliver 3-5 hours of daily instruction in courses ranging from ILR levels 0-3.
  • Complete training and become a certified language tester, with expectations to conduct 3-4 language proficiency assessments weekly.
  • The position is responsible for instructing students in speaking a foreign language and understanding the culture of the area or country to teach culture through communication.
  • Instructors must be able to develop class materials and training aids to meet customized student needs.
  • The contract linguist instructor(s) shall have strong foreign language skills and will work under the direction of experienced senior trained instructors.
  • It is also important that candidates are familiar with current events in the countries where the foreign languages are spoken.
  • Once on the program, contract linguist instructors are required to receive specific sponsor training focusing on foreign language teaching and foreign language testing in order to become certified according to Sponsor standards.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in education, foreign language, or linguistics with 8- 12 years of prior relevant experience or Master's degree with 2 - 10 years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
  • Minimum of 2 years of direct teaching experience.
  • Degree must be obtained either in the U.S. or in a country where the target language is natively spoken.
  • Proficient in MS Office and basic internet research.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills in both English and the foreign language.

Language Proficiency Requirements
  • Must pass a LEIDOS/ accepted commercial testing vendors-administered translation test (3 hours) with a score of 4 or higher.
  • Must achieve a minimum of 4/4/4 in speaking, listening, and reading on standard ILR scale.

Security Clearance Requirement
  • No clearance required to apply.
  • Able to obtain a TS/SCI clearance with polygraph (must be fully adjudicated before work begins). Leidos will sponsor candidates after passing all the required language tests.
  • Clearance must be fully adjudicated before starting. Linguists can only begin work on contract with a fully adjudicated security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience within the U.S. Intelligence Community, military, or law enforcement.
  • Ability to communicate fluently and professionally in multiple languages is highly desirable.
  • Prior exposure to cryptologic or national security environments a plus.
  • Linguists who are proficient in multiple languages are strongly desired.

Ready to Make an Impact?
This is more than a job-it's a mission. If you're driven, qualified, and passionate about language education and national service, we want to hear from you. Submit your resume today and embark on a rewarding career that truly matters.
At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that provide them with an opportunity to thrive, professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. We're excited to learn more about you, apply today!
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 4, 2025
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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