Become a languages teacher
Learning a language teaches pupils more than just grammar and vocabulary. As a languages teacher, you'll help pupils gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the world.
Tax-free bursaries are available for eligible trainee language teachers.
Why teach languages
As a language teacher, you’ll teach the linguistic aspects of language and introduce pupils to the cultural contexts that give language its richness and depth.
There is a huge range of languages you can teach, from Japanese and Mandarin to French and Spanish, and you may find that you teach more than one language.
In addition to the personal rewards of teaching languages, there are practical benefits too, including:
- a competitive salary starting at £31k (or higher in London)
- a generous and secure pension
- more holiday days than people in many other professions
- opportunities for progression
There’s a lot of sharing of stories and the kids can be so funny, they really crack me up. Plus, I enjoy the holidays. I get to travel still and can keep up with my languages.
Shape your pupils' futures
Learning a new language will give pupils cultural awareness and enhanced communication skills that can lead to exciting careers.
Popular careers range from interpreters and translators, to tour guides and diplomats. Knowing a second language can also be helpful for a wide range of careers including journalism, public relations and finance.
Your pupils will learn more from you that you might think. As their teacher, you will guide your pupils though the skills they need to show their understanding of languages. You will teach them valuable life skills such as enhanced listening, cultural awareness and communication.
Teaching languages is so much more than teaching grammar and vocabulary. You get to introduce students to new cultures and a different way of doing things. In an increasingly globalised world, you’re providing kids with an incredibly valuable skill that they’ll cherish for their entire lives.
What you'll teach
You'll teach the national curriculum for modern foreign languages(opens in new window).
At key stage 2, pupils can learn a modern or an ancient language. From key stay 3 onwards, pupils are required to learn a modern language, but learning an ancient language is optional.
Themes you'll cover when you teach 11 to 14 year olds (key stage 3) include:
- identifying and using present, past, and future tenses
- using a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns
- developing and using a wide-ranging and deepening vocabulary
- using accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation
- having conversations and making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address
- expressing and developing ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy
- speaking coherently and confidently
- reading literary texts in the language, so pupils can expand their understanding of the language and culture
- writing creatively to express their own ideas and opinions
Themes you'll cover when you teach 14 to 16 year olds (key stage 4) include:
- understanding and responding to spoken language
- communicating and interacting in speech
- understanding and responding to written language
- communicating in writing
Explore what teaching modern language lessons would be like at key stage 4:
- French lessons from Oak National Academy(opens in new window)
- German lessons from Oak National Academy(opens in new window)
- Spanish lessons from Oak National Academy(opens in new window)
At A level and AS level (key stage 5), you’ll help pupils develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of:
- the society and culture, past and present, of the country or countries where the language is spoken
- using language spontaneously to initiate communication
- using pronunciation, morphology and syntax, vocabulary and idiom to communicate accurately and coherently
- listening and responding to spoken passages
- reading and responding to a variety of texts
- understanding the main points, gist and detail from spoken and written material
- inferring meaning from complex spoken and written material, including factual and abstract content
- summarising information from spoken and written sources
Teaching pupils at different ages and abilities means you'll always be expanding your knowledge and approach to meet pupils' needs. Once you have qualified teacher status (QTS) you can also teach any other subject, as long as you can show you have enough expertise.
Teaching ancient languages
When teaching ancient languages, you'll focus on giving pupils a linguistic foundation for reading comprehension and an appreciation of classical civilisation. Having a foundation in ancient languages may make it easier for pupils to learn modern languages, such as French and Spanish.
Learning an ancient language such as ancient Greek can give pupils access to historical literature and philosophy, whereas learning Latin could help improve their skills in biology for example. Knowing ancient languages could open the doors for pupils to work in careers such as archaeology, theology and philosophy.
Find out what pupils will learn when studying ancient languages at GCSE(opens in new window).
Start your journey into teaching languages
Check your qualifications
To train to teach in secondary schools in England, you’ll need:
- GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths
- a bachelor’s degree in any subject
Having relevant A levels can show your subject knowledge, if you do not have a language degree.
Language teacher training courses have had successful applications from candidates with a range of degrees, including translation studies, English language and literature, psychology and education studies.
Find out more about what qualifications you need to train to teach.
Subject knowledge enhancement course (SKE)
If your training provider thinks you need to top up your subject knowledge in languages before you become a teacher, you can do a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.
There are lots of reasons why someone might need to complete an SKE course. For example, if you finished your degree more than 5 years ago or if you have an A level but not a degree in the subject you want to teach.
Fund your teacher training
The figures on this page apply if you're starting your training between September 2024 and July 2025. Financial support for courses starting the following year will be announced in autumn 2024.
Tax-free bursaries of £25,000 are available for all trainee language teachers.
Scholarships of £27,000 are available for eligible trainee French, German or Spanish language teachers.
You can get a bursary or scholarship alongside a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan.
You may also be able to get extra funding and support if you're:
- a parent or carer
- disabled
Paid internship
If you're currently doing an undergraduate or master's degree and are interested in teaching languages, you could apply for a paid teaching internship.
The 3-week programme could help you to understand what it's really like in the classroom and get a feel for school life.
Support with teacher training
Throughout your initial teacher training in languages, you'll have the support of a mentor.
Your mentor will:
- guide you through your training, sharing learning and career development opportunities with you
- meet with you regularly to make sure your training is a positive experience
You'll also be part of a welcoming school community where you'll learn from fellow teachers through taught sessions, seminars and workshops.
Once you've completed your initial teacher training, you'll continue to be supported during your first 2 years of teaching. Find out what support you'll get as an early career teacher.
Get free one-to-one support
An adviser with years of teaching experience can help you to become a languages teacher. Chat by phone, text, or email as little or often as you need.
Find out more about advisers