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Second Language Acquisition Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Second Language Acquisition information

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$34K

$125.8K

$182.5K

How much do second language acquisition jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for second language acquisition in the United States is $125,764.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Second Language Acquisition, and how can they address them?

Professionals in Second Language Acquisition often encounter challenges such as adapting teaching methods to diverse learner backgrounds, maintaining student motivation, and staying updated with evolving linguistic research. Addressing these challenges involves employing a variety of instructional strategies, encouraging interactive and culturally relevant activities, and participating in ongoing professional development. Collaboration with colleagues and leveraging technology can also help create a supportive learning environment and improve outcomes for language learners.

What is Second Language Acquisition?

Second Language Acquisition (SLA) refers to the process by which people learn a language other than their native one. This field of study examines how individuals acquire a new language, the stages they go through, and the factors that influence success, such as age, motivation, and learning environment. SLA is important in education, linguistics, and cognitive science, as it helps inform teaching methods and language policy. Researchers in SLA investigate how learners develop language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Second Language Acquisition Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Second Language Acquisition Specialist, you typically need a background in linguistics, applied linguistics, or education, often supported by an advanced degree and experience in language teaching or research. Familiarity with language assessment tools, curriculum design software, and relevant research methodologies is common in this field. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and analytical thinking are crucial soft skills to effectively support diverse learners and collaborate with educators. These skills ensure the development and implementation of effective language learning strategies, promoting successful language acquisition for students.

What is the difference between Second Language Acquisition vs ESL Teacher?

AspectSecond Language AcquisitionESL Teacher
Required CredentialsLanguage or linguistics degrees, certifications in language teachingTESOL/TEFL certification, teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, language learning programs, academic institutionsClassroom settings, language schools, online teaching
Industry UsageAcademic research, language development, curriculum designLanguage instruction, student assessment, classroom management

Second Language Acquisition focuses on understanding how people learn additional languages, often through research and theoretical frameworks. In contrast, an ESL Teacher applies practical teaching methods to help students learn English as a second language. While both roles involve language learning, Second Language Acquisition is more research-oriented, whereas ESL Teaching is more instructional and classroom-based.

More about Second Language Acquisition jobs
What cities are hiring for Second Language Acquisition jobs? Cities with the most Second Language Acquisition job openings:
What states have the most Second Language Acquisition jobs? States with the most job openings for Second Language Acquisition jobs include:
Infographic showing various Second Language Acquisition job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,764 per year, or $60.5 per hour.
Associate Faculty - ELA (English Language Acquisition)

Associate Faculty - ELA (English Language Acquisition)

Big Bend Community College

Moses Lake, WA โ€ข On-site

$987.71/wk

Part-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Moses Lake, WA
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: 26-38
Division: Instruction
Department: Basic Education for Adults (BEdA)
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Position Summary
Big Bend Community College (BBCC), a rural college serving vibrant, culturally rich communities in the Columbia Basin of Central Washington invites applications for Associate Faculty positions in Associate Faculty ELA-English Language Acquisition. This position is responsible for preparing and teaching courses in Associate Faculty ELA-English Language Acquisition. This position reports to the Director of BEdA and works closely with other faculty and staff.
To work at BBCC you will be participating in a movement. We are taking action to intentionally and fearlessly create a college where all feel they belong, all people are represented and respected for their lived experiences, and each has received the recognition and support needed to thrive. Our students, the HEART of BBCC, and our employees, the SOUL, are the reason we are deepening our commitment to this movement.
BBCC's organizational strength is captured in our small but mighty spirit. A small college taking on BIG things to enact BIG change to lift our students and employees. We are dedicated to extending postsecondary access to all our service district members and providing an environment for all to grow personally and professionally, steered by our mission and vision.
Vision: To become our communities' first choice to dream, learn, and succeed.
Mission
Serve as a Bridge
Stand as a Leader
Support for Success
Our guiding principles are a call to action, establishing a standard for how we interact with each other, present BBCC in the community, serve students AND act upon areas of inequity.
Guiding Principles
Honor our Role as a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Advocate for Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity
Embrace our Workplace Norms
Innovate Proactively
Model Integrity
Educate All
If you share these values, we encourage you to come be a part of the movement happening at Big Bend Community College.
This position is open until filled. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.
Compensation: Associate Faculty receive quarterly contracts. Payment is based on $987.71/per lecture credit.
This position will teach English to adults in the evenings, with the assigned home base located at one of the following sites: Othello, Mattawa, Royal City, or Warden.
Essential Job Duties
Responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:
  • Teach English language skills to adult learners.
  • Collaborate with students each quarter to develop individualized learning goals and monitor progress through regular follow-up.
  • Design and deliver daily lesson plans aligned with established curriculum standards and course outlines.
  • Maintain accurate daily student attendance records; submit weekly attendance and complete a signed quarterly attendance report.
  • Administer required pre- and post-assessments using CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System) to measure student progress.
  • Evaluate student performance and prepare documentation to support accreditation and program reporting requirements.
  • Participate in all required trainings, professional development activities, and faculty meetings.

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in English, Education, TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or a related field
  • At least one (1) year of teaching experience, preferably with adult learners or English language learners (ELLs)
  • Knowledge of second language acquisition (SLA) principles and adult education practices
  • Experience developing and delivering lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards
  • Ability to assess student progress using standardized tools (e.g., CASAS or similar assessments)
  • Strong communication, organizational, and classroom management skills
  • Ability to maintain accurate records (attendance, student progress, reporting) and meet deadlines
  • Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work effectively with diverse populations
  • Basic proficiency with instructional technology and learning management systems (LMS)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master's degree in TESOL, Adult Education, Education, Applied Linguistics, or a related field TESOL/ESL certification or endorsement
  • Experience administering CASAS assessments and familiarity with accountability reporting requirements
  • Bilingual or multilingual skills
  • Experience developing individualized learning plans and supporting student goal attainment
  • Familiarity with workforce-focused or contextualized ESL instruction
  • Experience using data to inform instruction and improve student outcomes
  • Demonstrated success in engaging and retaining adult learners
  • Experience participating in accreditation processes or program evaluation

Application Instructions
This position is open until filled. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.
To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:
  1. BBCC Online application.
  2. Cover letter, addressing why you are interested in this position and how your qualifications make you the ideal candidate.*
  3. Comprehensive resume or CV.*
  4. Response(s) to the questions found in the Supplemental Questions Tab above.*
  5. Unofficial transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate course work and degrees. Official transcripts required upon employment.*
NOTE: You must complete the online application in full and respond to the required supplemental questions. Failure to provide this information or responses of "See Resume" may eliminate you from consideration for this position. The college reserves the right to remove documents, submitted but not requested, by BBCC as part of the application process. These documents include, but are not limited to statements of teaching philosophy, diversity statement, letters of recommendation, student evaluations, performance evaluations, etc.
BBCC reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, reopen the position, or make a direct appointment. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the College's discretion.
This posting does not reflect the entire job description and may be changed and/or modified, at any time, without notice.
If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please contact NEOGOV Customer Service at 1-855-524-5627.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant's current or past employers. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete the questions.
Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform the position.
An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of Big Bend Community College to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.
Official transcripts must be provided to the college upon hire.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Big Bend provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Please direct all inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity, and/or grievances to the Vice President of Human Resources & Labor/Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Section 504 Coordinator, BBCC 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837; 509-793-2026 or via email at .
DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE CAMPUS:
In compliance with state and federal regulations, BBCC is committed to a safe and drug and alcohol-free campus. Employees are expected to comply with BBCC's policy prohibiting illegal drug use or activity, including notifications of criminal drug convictions and the use of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications that are likely to affect job safety. The complete policy and procedure are available to view on the of the BBCC website. Printed copies of the policy and procedure are available by contacting the Human Resources Office at 509-793-2008.
BBCC ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT:
BBCC strives to be a safe and secure campus for our students, employees, and community. Detailed information regarding campus security, crime statistics for the most recent-three-year period, and other information is available on the of the BBCC website. If you have questions or would like a printed copy of the materials, please contact Campus Safety and Security at 509-793-2286.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
Big Bend Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical, mental or sensory disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, marital status, pregnancy status or families with children, a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, genetic information, and/or status as a veteran or any other legally protected classification. Demonstrated experience, sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding in working effectively with persons from diverse backgrounds, including academic, racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic, veterans, and diverse physical and learning abilities.
Big Bend Community College provides a robust benefit package. The benefits, programs, and services offered are a sizable amount of an employee's overall compensation and an important factor in encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
Benefit eligibility for part-time positions is determined in accordance with state regulations. Part-time employees meeting benefit eligibility requirements will be notified by the Human Resources Office.