What Do English Language and Literature Professor Do?
Position Description Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Life As an English Language & Literature Professor
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Teach classes using online technology.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as poetry, novel structure, and translation and adaptation.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
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English Language & Literature Professor Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most English Language and Literature Professors say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Types of English Language and Literature Professor
- Adjunct Professor
- Business Communications Instructor
- Creative Writing English Professor
- Theatre Program Director
- English Instructor
What Kind of English Language & Literature Professor Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 84,600 jobs for English Language and Literature Professor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,300 new jobs for English Language and Literature Professor by 2026. There will be an estimated 7,500 positions for English Language & Literature Professor per year.

The states with the most job growth for English Language & Literature Professor are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Wyoming, or Montana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average English Language and Literature Professors Salary
English Language and Literature Professors make between $37,180 and $135,020 a year.

English Language and Literature Professors who work in California, District of Columbia, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for English Language and Literature Professors in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $58,690 |
Arizona | $76,610 |
Arkansas | $56,320 |
California | $114,110 |
Colorado | $60,440 |
Connecticut | $84,330 |
Delaware | $71,480 |
District of Columbia | $115,590 |
Florida | $66,720 |
Georgia | $71,190 |
Hawaii | $64,740 |
Idaho | $76,770 |
Illinois | $65,860 |
Iowa | $84,130 |
Kansas | $61,740 |
Kentucky | $66,030 |
Maine | $68,840 |
Maryland | $73,490 |
Massachusetts | $80,450 |
Michigan | $76,340 |
Minnesota | $66,150 |
Mississippi | $57,250 |
Missouri | $80,380 |
Montana | $54,680 |
Nebraska | $71,610 |
Nevada | $58,200 |
New Hampshire | $85,140 |
New Jersey | $86,360 |
New Mexico | $56,750 |
New York | $92,170 |
North Carolina | $64,080 |
North Dakota | $62,240 |
Ohio | $84,970 |
Oklahoma | $51,870 |
Oregon | $76,450 |
Pennsylvania | $75,970 |
Rhode Island | $93,470 |
South Carolina | $70,130 |
South Dakota | $59,930 |
Tennessee | $57,740 |
Texas | $75,720 |
Utah | $75,410 |
Virginia | $61,690 |
Washington | $61,580 |
West Virginia | $53,790 |
Wisconsin | $76,340 |
Wyoming | $61,140 |
Tools & Technologies Used by English Language and Literature Professors
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that English Language and Literature Professors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Google Docs
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Blackboard
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Blackboard Learn
- Learning management system LMS
- Desire2Learn
- DOC Cop
- Sakai CLE
- Course management system software
- iParadigms Turnitin
Becoming an English Language & Literature Professor
Learn what English Language and Literature Professor education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become an English Language & Literature Professor?

Who Employs English Language and Literature Professors?

Below are examples of industries where English Language and Literature Professors work:

References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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