Linguistics lecturer
Also known as: applied linguistics lecturer, linguistics docent, lecturer in applied linguistics, professor of linguistics, university linguistics lecturer, linguistics professor
About this occupation
Linguistics lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, linguistics, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for grading papers and exams and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their respective field of linguistics, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- curriculum objectives
- semantics
- liaise with educational support staff
- apply teaching strategies
- liaise with educational staff
- grammar
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- apply intercultural teaching strategies
- phonetics
- linguistics
- guarantee students' safety
- give constructive feedback
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1061.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, career issues, and laboratory and field research.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as research methods, urban anthropology, and language and culture.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Artistic
Top skills: Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Instructing, Active Listening, Learning Strategies
US median pay: US$99,650 a year (2025), 5,240 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyExtremely important (5.0)
- HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyExtremely important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (3.8)
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyVery important (3.6)
- Foreign LanguageO*NET: Foreign LanguageVery important (3.5)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.4)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- History Teachers, Postsecondary
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.