Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other.: The DTI for this program is 52.2%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $47700) to the average debt ($24898) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 52.2%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($47700) against the typical student debt ($24898), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $47700, with grads carrying about $24898 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.52—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 5030 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other (CIP 13.1499) is a specialized academic category for educators who focus on linguistic acquisition and cultural integration beyond standard K-12 classroom settings. While traditional TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) programs focus on basic literacy, this "Other" category encompasses high-level niches such as English for Specific Purposes (ESP), accent modification, digital language-learning technology, and refugee integration programs.
This field is ideal for "linguistic bridge-builders"—individuals who want to help non-native speakers master complex technical, medical, or legal language to succeed in global environments.
What Is a Teaching English/French (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the functional use of language in professional and social contexts. Because it is categorized as "Other," these programs often lean into interdisciplinary areas like applied linguistics and cognitive psychology. You might study how to teach Business French to international diplomats or how to develop English curricula for aerospace engineers. It is a communication-heavy major that treats language not just as a set of rules, but as a tool for economic and social mobility.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Language Consultants" for multinational corporations needing localized training
- Develop experts in Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and educational app development
- Prepare educators to work in Crisis and Migration Services, helping displaced populations gain rapid linguistic autonomy
- Study the specific phonology and syntax challenges unique to different mother tongues
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that effective language teaching requires a deep understanding of how the brain acquires a second language (SLA) and how cultural identity influences communication.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Phonetic Transcription to help students correct pronunciation and reduce communication barriers
- Design "Scaffolded Lessons" that build complex skills from simple foundations
- Use Diagnostic Assessments to identify a student's specific grammatical or vocabulary gaps
- Develop "Culturally Responsive Pedagogy" to respect a student’s native culture while teaching a new one
- Utilize digital tools like speech recognition software and interactive language labs
- Perform Curriculum Mapping for intensive, short-term language immersion programs
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of linguistics, sociology, and instructional design:
- Applied Phonology: The study of the sound systems of English or French and how to teach them.
- Sociolinguistics: How language varies across different social groups and contexts.
- Syllabus Design for ESP: Creating specialized courses for doctors, pilots, or tech workers.
- Pragmatics: The study of "hidden" meanings and social etiquette in a second language.
- Language Testing and Evaluation: Designing fair exams for international certification (like TOEFL or DELF).
- Multilingualism and Cognition: How being bilingual changes brain processing and memory.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in international business, government diplomacy, and global education tech.
Common job roles include:
- ESP Instructor (English for Specific Purposes): Teaching specialized language to professionals in medicine or law.
- Language Program Director: Overseeing the operations of a language school or university department.
- Instructional Designer (EdTech): Developing content for apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone.
- Corporate Communications Coach: Helping international executives improve their presentation and negotiation skills.
- Cross-Cultural Trainer: Preparing diplomats or business travelers for life in a new country.
- Translator/Language Specialist: Working at the intersection of high-level education and linguistic services.
Where Can You Work?
Language specialists work where global communication is essential:
- International Universities: Managing intensive English or French bridge programs for foreign students.
- Multinational Corporations: Training global teams in a unified "corporate language."
- NGOs and Non-Profits: Leading language and integration programs for refugees and immigrants.
- Government Agencies: Working for the Foreign Service or international trade departments.
- Language Tech Startups: Designing the next generation of AI-driven language learning platforms.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary significantly based on the sector, with private corporate coaching and EdTech typically offering the highest compensation.
- Corporate Language Trainers: Median annual salary of approximately $65,000–$90,000.
- EdTech Content Developers: Salaries typically range from $70,000 to $105,000.
- University ESL/EFL Instructors: Median annual salary of around $50,000–$75,000.
- International Program Directors: Salaries can exceed $100,000 in large institutions or private firms.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the analytical and social complexity. You must master the intricate rules of grammar and phonology while developing extreme "empathetic patience." It requires a sharp ear for detail and the ability to explain abstract concepts in simple terms. You must also be culturally agile, meaning you can adapt your teaching style to students from widely different backgrounds without causing offense or misunderstanding.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are fascinated by how language works and why it changes between cultures
- Love traveling and want a career that allows you to work in almost any country
- Are a "natural communicator" who enjoys helping others express themselves
- Are interested in the intersection of technology and education
- Care about social justice and helping marginalized populations find their voice
How to Prepare in High School
- Take advanced classes in English, French, and a third language if possible
- Participate in speech, debate, or writing clubs to sharpen your own communication
- Volunteer as a tutor for non-native speakers in your school or community
- Learn about different cultures through history and sociology courses
- Experiment with language-learning apps and analyze how they try to teach you
The ability to break down linguistic barriers and empower individuals to communicate in a globalized world is the hallmark of a successful language education professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor