The study of foreign languages has allowed you to be a truly global citizen: you can communicate with and understand people who live beyond the borders of the United States. You know that the importance of foreign language surpasses a mastery of grammar and vocabulary; rather, it allows people to expand their own borders, read literature in all the elegance of the original language, learn to process information more effectively, and connect with a veritable world of individuals. If this sounds like you, then you might consider teaching foreign language at an independent school.

Teaching Foreign Language at an Independent School

In the last decade, the push toward globalization has been widely embraced by leaders at independent schools. As they adopt 21st century education perspectives, independent schools look to create diverse, inclusive communities that yield future citizens of the world — not just of the school, the state, or the nation.

As post-graduate opportunities abound in China and the Middle East and as the United States becomes an increasingly bilingual nation that speaks Spanish as well as English, foreign language teachers become all the more valuable to independent schools. Our client schools seek foreign language teaching candidates who have international experience, who can teach multiple languages (Spanish and French, for example), who can produce results on AP exams, or who have spent time in a school that administers the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Finding Foreign Language Teaching Jobs Through CS&A

The CS&A Foreign Language Teacher Placement Team works with teachers at every career stage, from recent college graduates to department chair candidates. We encourage you to apply for candidacy if your qualifications expressly include:

• A master’s degree (preferred) or bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, French, German, Italian, or another language
• Demonstrated fluency in your language or languages
• Experience teaching a foreign language in an independent, private, boarding, college preparatory, or like-kind school setting
• A love of children, community, cultures, and languages in general
• Extensive travel or study abroad experience, especially in a Spanish or Chinese-speaking country
• Strong references that attest to your teaching abilities, connection with students, and foreign language mastery
• Knowledge of 21st-century learning principles and techniques
• Excitement about fostering global citizens
• Skills, talents, and flexibility for contributing to the independent school community in additional capacities. For example: Coaching sports, advising extracurricular activities, supervising a dorm at a boarding school, etc.
• Additional language-related skills and work experience that can enrich an independent school community. For example: Advising a language club or foreign film club, managing a language lab, or spearheading global education initiatives.

A Word About Visas

Please note that a number of our language teaching candidates are not U.S. citizens; however, we do not sponsor visas or work permits. Obtaining such documentation is strictly the responsibility of the candidate and hiring school. If you will need a school to support your visa transfer or sponsorship in order to work in the U.S., we encourage you to fully research the process while applying to work with us. We may be able to suggest resources to you if you are unfamiliar with the visa process.

If you seek a foreign language teaching job in an independent school, don’t hesitate – apply now. Begin your job search here.

Interested Candidates Should Contact

Stuart Lemay

Placement Associate: Spanish, French, Japanese, Arabic, German

Send An Email

Njeri Allen

Placement Counselor: Mandarin, ESL; Assisting Stuart Lemay & Justine Brown

Send An Email