How to become an English language and literature teacher

English language and literature teachers – also known as English literature instructors – are professionals who teach works of literature written in English and related topics at colleges or universities. Beyond teaching, they frequently write research papers, publish books, and contribute to the academic field.

If you love literature, possess critical thinking skills, and want to inspire others to learn, then becoming an English language and literature teacher could be the ideal career path for you. However, to become a truly effective teacher, you need a solid educational background, excellent communication skills, and the perseverance to pursue a long-term learning and research journey.

In this article, you'll find a detailed guide to the steps involved in becoming an English language and literature teacher – from educational requirements and necessary skills to career opportunities and job realities. Let's explore!

Things you need to know if you want to become an English language and literature teacher.

1. Study English literature as a major from undergraduate to doctoral level.
First, you need to complete a bachelor's degree in English Literature. Then, continue your studies to obtain a master's and doctoral degree in the same field to be qualified to teach at a university.

2. Start writing and publishing academic research early.
Starting in your second year of graduate school, you should begin writing research papers and publishing them in academic journals. Research publication should be maintained consistently after graduation and throughout your teaching career.

3. Look for job opportunities before graduation.
Starting in your final year of your doctoral program, you should proactively seek full-time or visiting lecturer positions at major universities. This is a crucial step in securing a stable career in the academic environment.

Part 1: Learning Pathway: Qualifications Required to Become an English Literature Lecturer

Step 1: Study English Literature at university to pave the way for a teaching career.

1. Choose a suitable field of study.
To pursue a career in teaching English Literature, you should study English Literature at university. However, related fields such as Comparative Literature or Creative Writing can also be suitable options. These fields will help you build the necessary foundation for higher education and your future career.

2. Maintain excellent academic performance.
You should aim for a high GPA and strong academic results to impress graduate programs.

3. It is possible to switch from another field.
Even if you studied an unrelated field in college, such as fine arts or engineering, you can still pursue a career teaching English Literature at the university level. However, you will need to demonstrate strong writing skills and in-depth knowledge of literature in your graduate program application.

4. The subjects you will encounter in the program.
When studying English Literature at the university level, you will have access to a wide range of knowledge, such as:

• English and American Literature

• African American Literature

• Postcolonial literature

• Shakespeare's works

• Nonfiction literature

• Global Literature

• Contemporary novels and short stories

This knowledge will give you a broad understanding of literature and prepare you well for a future academic or teaching career.

Step 2: Earn a Master's degree in English Literature to become a university lecturer.

1. Register for the Master's program in English Literature.
If you want to teach English Literature at the university or college level, the first step is to complete a master's degree in the field.
Master's programs typically last one to two years and require you to choose a specific specialization, for example:

• 17th-century novels

• Postcolonial literature

• American poetry

You will need to write a graduation thesis on your chosen topic to complete the program.

2. Accumulate teaching experience while still studying.
During your master's studies, you should look for teaching opportunities, especially applying for a Teaching Assistant (TA) position. This position allows you to work with experienced faculty and gain practical experience in university teaching.

3. The duties of a teaching assistant include:

• Prepare and organize teaching materials.

• Guide students in completing small tasks.

• Grading papers, preparing exam questions

• Occasionally I teach some subjects in class.

Your supervising lecturer will clearly announce your work schedule and specific responsibilities throughout the semester. This is a valuable opportunity to hone your teaching skills and prepare for the next step in your academic career.

Step 3: Prepare and submit your application for a PhD in English Literature.

1. Complete the application for the PhD program.
To pursue a PhD and become a lecturer in English Literature, you need to submit a complete application clearly demonstrating:

• The field you wish to specialize in

• Readiness for in-depth academic research

• Outstanding academic achievements and contributions at the undergraduate or master's level.

2. What documents are needed?
Most doctoral programs require the following documents:

• Statement of Purpose : Clearly state your reasons for choosing the major, your research goals, and your career objectives.

• CV or resume

• At least two letters of recommendation from faculty members or people you have worked with in an academic setting.

• Writing Sample : A sample essay or research paper that best showcases your writing skills and analytical thinking.

3. Consider choosing the right school.
A recent study showed that earning a PhD from a top 10 university will give you a higher chance of becoming a university lecturer in English Literature. If you attend a lower-ranked university, you can still find work, but you might be teaching at institutions with lower-achieving students. Consider this carefully when choosing a university.

4. The early years of a PhD – academic foundation
During the first two years of the program, you should focus on in-depth study and expanding your knowledge by reading various literary genres and schools of thought. This is the foundational stage for your future research topic.

5. Accumulate teaching experience
From the middle of your program onwards, try to become a teaching assistant or lecturer. Classroom experience is key if you want to teach at the university level after completing your PhD.

Step 4: Publishing your research paper – A crucial step in your academic career.

1. Start publishing as soon as possible.
You should aim to have your research published as early as your second year of a PhD program – or even earlier if possible. Having published research will make your application stand out when applying for a faculty position in English Literature.

2. Utilize written assignments in your courses.
When writing essays or research papers for class, choose topics that you are genuinely interested in or have in-depth knowledge of. Then, you can edit these papers to meet the standards of academic journals and submit them for publication.

3. Submit your article to a professional journal.
Each journal will have its own requirements regarding submission methods, formatting, and review processes. Visit the official website of your target journal to carefully read the submission guidelines . Adhering to these requirements will increase your chances of having your article accepted.

4. Maintain a regular writing and publishing schedule.
Ideally, you should be able to publish regularly throughout your PhD studies. A portfolio with numerous research papers will demonstrate that you are a dynamic scholar, possessing independent thinking and making a genuine contribution to the field of Literature.

Step 5: Complete your doctoral dissertation – The final step to graduation.

1. Writing the thesis – the most important requirement.
To complete a PhD in English Literature, you need to write a doctoral dissertation – usually completed in your sixth or seventh year.

2. Objectives of the thesis
The thesis must demonstrate:

• Extensive knowledge in your chosen field

• Ability to conduct independent and creative research

• Clear and coherent academic writing skills.

3. After defending the thesis
Once your dissertation is approved by the committee, you will officially complete your PhD program. From here, you will be eligible to teach or work in the academic field specializing in English Literature.

Part 2: Recruiting English Literature Lecturers: Secrets to an Effective Job Hunt

Step 1: Find a teaching job before graduating with a PhD.

1. Start your job search early.
As early as your final year of your PhD program , you should begin searching for job opportunities at universities and colleges. While the job market for university faculty grew by 19% between 2012 and 2022, it remains a highly competitive field. Early preparation will give you a significant advantage.

2. Types of positions to target

• tenure-track faculty positions : These are the most stable and sought-after jobs at major universities.

• Contract lecturer, teaching assistant, or part-time lecturer ( lecturer, adjunct ): This is a more common option, especially when you're a recent graduate.

• Teaching at a community college or vocational school : Although more focused on teaching than research, this remains a stable and in-demand career path.

3. Consider a postdoctoral research position.
If you don't have a stable teaching position right away, you should look for postdoctoral research positions . These jobs allow you to continue developing your research, gain teaching experience, and build a stronger academic profile for a long-term position later on.

4. Accept the realities of the job market.

• Many recent PhD graduates can only find part-time or short-term (adjunct) jobs .

• Up to 58% of courses at community colleges and at least 50% of university faculty are not on the formal payroll.
  Therefore, you should be flexible and not limit yourself to full-time or tenured positions .

5. Salary levels – variations by region and position

• Average salary (2013) for university lecturers in English Literature: $60,920/year

• The top 10% can earn $116,460/year or more.

• The lowest 10% rate is only about $32,610/year.

• In California , the median salary is $82,290 per year.

• In Vermont , the average salary is $75,860 per year.

Advice : In the early stages of your career, you should be patient, broaden your options, and actively apply to gradually build a solid position in the academic environment.

Step 2: Be ready to work in related fields after graduation.

1. High competition in the English Literature industry.
Many PhDs in English Literature struggle to find jobs in their field at universities. Not everyone can become a professor teaching English Literature immediately after graduation.

2. Common alternative jobs
You can start your career in related positions such as:

• Teaching writing, reading comprehension, or composition skills .

• Teaching interdisciplinary studies

• Work outside of academic settings : professional writing, content editing, research, private education, etc.

3. Criticism of the current PhD program
Some experts argue that the current PhD program in English Literature does not adequately prepare students for career paths outside of university teaching , leading to uncertainty for graduates after they leave school.

4. Expanding career opportunities
Be flexible:

• Teaching at the high school level , especially at private or specialized schools, is also a stable career path with a fairly good income.

• The professional skills acquired from a PhD (analysis, academic writing, critical thinking) can be applied in many other fields such as publishing, media, and education.

Advice : Don't limit yourself to just one academic path. Broadening your options will give you more control and stability in your career after completing your PhD.

Step 3: Maintain academic and teaching activities after leaving the job.

1. Continue publishing research papers.
Once you have secured a teaching position at a university or college, maintaining a consistent research and publication record is crucial. Ideally, you should have academic papers published annually to solidify your standing in the academic community.

2. Develop a strong teaching portfolio.
Alongside your research, you need to maintain a positive image with students and colleagues through criteria such as:

• Student feedback on teaching

• A spirit of cooperation with the department

• Ability to guide students in research

3. Opportunity for permanent employment (tenure)
If you are not yet a tenured student, a strong research record and good teaching achievements may help you get considered for a tenured position at your current school, or give you the opportunity to apply for tenured positions at other schools.

Suggestion : Develop a habit of regular writing and publication, and continuously improve your teaching skills – these are two pillars that will help you thrive in a university environment.

Translated by Leigh Kennedy Ly .