5 English Teacher Resume Examples & Guide for 2023

Language teaching is hard and you know it!

It encompasses so much more than grammar and vocabulary. It’s also about literature, history and culture. And depending on your students, there are a myriad of teaching approaches you can take.

So, how do you build an outstanding English teacher resume that will appeal to principals?

We’ve prepared a complete guide that will instruct you on how to:

• Ace the writing process by following one of our example teacher resumes
• Decipher job ads and accentuate the right English teacher skills
• Get picked for a job interview among the sea of other candidates

…with many practical tips and sample sections to help you along the way!

English teacher resume example

Why not start with a sample resume to kickstart the writing process?

This resume works for a few simple reasons:

• The summary includes the applicant’s personal teaching philosophy.
• The experience entries provide important details, such as class sizes, scope of work and overall performance.
• The achievements prove the candidate is ambitious and goal-oriented.
• The Strengths section elaborates on what motivates Joel to pursue teaching as a career.

How to format an english teacher resume

As you’re aware, formatting is crucial for all written work - be it an essay or an application. Some pieces are more freeform than others.

Yet, when it comes to resumes… It can mean the difference between getting an interview and having your resume thrown into the pile of rejected applicants.

Good formatting will aid you in:

• Passing the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tests set to review candidates before a person looks at your resume
• Arranging your experience and qualifications in a way that will make you stand out
• Proving that you’ve carefully reviewed the job ad requirements, including formatting rules, before submitting your application

So, to build an impeccable English teacher resume, you must:

• Choose a resume format which best reflects your credentials, skills and expertise. Are you a tenured professional? Then opt for the reverse-chronological resume format.
• Include a portfolio with some of your selected works or teaching materials in the resume header
• Pay particular attention to how you structure your experience and education sections
• Be succinct and to the point: If you have lots of relevant information to share, you can spread your resume to two pages.
• Remember to check whether there are any filetype requirements in the job ad. While some principals accept Word MS resumes, we suggest sticking to PDFs to preserve the design.

Now that we’ve covered the basic resume writing best practices, let’s delve into the specifics. Here are the key sections your resume must contain:

How to write your english teacher resume experience

Something to always keep in mind during your writing process is to check the job description for:

• Keywords describing the must-have duties, responsibilities and skills for the role

• Hints that specify whether this is an ESL or an ELA position

• Statements that outline the school’s curriculum focus and core values

If you have more than seven years of experience, limit each of the entries to three bullet points. List only your most prominent accomplishments.

But, if your work history is shorter than seven years, there are a few things you can do:

• Add more bullet points to each of the entries in the experience section. Try to align your accomplishments with the job ad.
• Consider switching to the hybrid resume format, so that you can flaunt your transferable skills.
• Don’t hesitate to talk about relevant side gigs, private tutoring experience or being a substitute teacher.

Having these points in mind, take a look at the following experience section sample:

Not very awe-inspiring, is it?

Well, the candidate has made a few crucial mistakes:

• Renaud boasts four years as an English teacher at Lincoln High School. Yet, nothing in the bullet points says that he has the experience to back it up.
• Parts of the information seems to repeat itself. Without much context to go on, there’s no clue to what the difference between ‘IEPs’ and ‘special learning plans’ is.
• At the same time, there’s unnecessary word repetition.
• Renaud says that he has ‘organized special extracurricular classes’. But offers no explanation as to what these classes were. Or why they were organized in the first place.
• Finally, the candidate doesn’t seem invested in the job, because the school’s description is poorly written. Plus, there’s no mention of its mission or values.

A far more refined version of the above sample would be:

How to quantify impact on your resume

As someone with a social sciences background, you may struggle to discuss your achievements in terms of numbers and data. Unless you have a certificate to show for it.

But being able to quantify your achievements is important, because this means you:

• Look at the big picture and how you actions affect your employer
• Speak your employers’ language (and by extension all the sponsors who have invested in the school)

So, to prove that you’re a results-oriented English teacher, take into account:

• What is the success rate of your classes?
• Do any of your students participate in prestigious competitions? Do they have any awards to show for it?
• How active are you in students’ school life? Do you organize any special events for them?
• Do you volunteer? What do you have to show for it?
• How do you promote diversity and equality at school?
• Do you accommodate students with learning disabilities? How?
• How do you foster relationships with students’ parents? Has this improved your students’ quality of life?
• Do you know other languages?
• Do you have experience teaching non-native speakers?

How do I write a english teacher resume with no experience

If you’re fresh out of college or have no experience as a teacher, there are two routes you can take. It all depends on the type of teaching job you’re pursuing.

If you’ve set your sights on an ELA role:

• List selected works that show you’re actively involved in the contemporary literary scene
• Share relevant experience, such as private tutoring or alternative school work you’ve done in the past
• Put an emphasis on your education and certificates. If possible, add any special training or masterclasses you’ve completed.

By contrast, if you’re aiming for an ESL position:

• Highlight any experience you have working with non-native English speakers.
• Mention if you know other foreign languages. Don’t forget to state your level of proficiency in each language.
• Detail any transferable skills which you can apply in an international learning environment

How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume

One of the best ways to grab principals’ attention is to showcase your versatility as a teacher.

Demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded professional. Reveal that you're not only an excellent wordsmith, but someone who can work the latest classroom technology.

To do that, simply balance out your skills section.

If most of the skills you’ve added are soft skills, emphasizing the impact of your work on others around you, throw some hard skills into the mix.

These show that you’re up-to-date with all the tools and technology currently used in schools. Keep in mind to mention your ability to work in both in-person and e-learning environments.

Similar to how you described your experiences in the work history portion of your resume, quantify your talents:

• Recall a time in the past where you were faced with a tough challenge. How did you handle it? Outline the situation.
• State the result of your actions.
• Tie the outcome to data that will support your claims.

Some of your abilities will be easier to measure than others and that’s okay.

If you can’t think of any examples or you need some inspiration on other skills you can add to your resume, check out the ones below:

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

Being a teacher yourself, you know how important education is. After all, most positions, regardless of school, demand a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field.

If you’re a college grad or you’re switching careers:

• List the name of your degree
• Add relevant majors and minors, particularly if you’re applying for an ESL role
• Name the issuing institution
• Provide the date of course completion
• Cite your GPA

For experienced professionals, it’s best to:

• State the name of your degree
• Name the university or college you attended
• Include the dates you obtained your degree
• Share one or two significant accomplishments during your college days, such as an important project or an award

For reference, have a look at the sample education section below:

Once you cover your academic background, don’t forget to shine the spotlight on your certificates. Especially the one you’ve received from your state’s education board. Make sure you check the date of validity for each certificate you add to your resume.

How to write your english teacher resume summary or objective

A vital part of your resume is the short paragraph at the top, where you give a brief overview of your career.

And akin to poems, it can take many forms.

If you’ve been in the industry for a few years now, craft a captivating resume summary:

• Concentrate on key career milestones.
• List your strengths and relevant qualifications.
• Place emphasis on awards and other unique achievements.

On the other hand, if you’re just starting out, write a convincing resume objective:

• Accentuate your main skills and how they align to the job.
• Share how you will contribute to the school and its mission.
• Name any relevant qualifications and training you’ve undergone.

Take a look at the following sample resume objective. Would you say it is powerful?

Not really.

For starters, the wording is strange and vague, at best. For instance, the applicant states that they’re an award-winner, but there’s no mention of what the award is. Or how it was achieved.

Also, there is a laundry list of skills. But none of them address specific English teacher-related tools or talents.

Plus, the candidate hasn’t shared any information that proves they have the experience to back their claims.

But with a few tweaks here and there, the sample above can turn into this attention-grabbing resume objective:

Additional sections for a english teacher resume

One way to diversify your application and get noticed is to attach an extra section or two to your resume. If you have some extra space left, consider adding:

• Other languages you’re proficient in. If you’re an ESL teacher candidate, this one will bump your resume to the top of the pile.
• Association memberships
• Additional courses, bootcamps and training you’ve done
• Awards and prizes
• Selected works or published papers

How to put your works on a resume

If you’re aiming for an ELA position, show you’re knowledgeable about both classic and contemporary literature.

Display some of your selected works. Be it a poem or a short story, share a glimpse of your personality and creativity.

In a small section near the skills box:

• List the title of your composition, but don’t forget to name yourself as the author.
• Cite the date of publication.
• Add the name of the publishing house.
• Describe what your composition is about.

Use the example below for reference:

Key takeaways

• Pick an appropriate resume format that will highlight your strengths.

• Curate your portfolio before linking it in the resume header.

• Write a compelling resume summary that outlines your top accomplishments.

• Organize your experience section to match the position you’re applying for.

• Build a skills section that displays your versatility as an English teacher.

• Emphasize your educational background and other qualifications you have.

• Throw in an extra section to bring some variety to your resume and stand out.

By Role

Start With This Resume

High School English Teacher

The role of a High School English Teacher is based on teaching and literacy knowledge. To enhance your resume, showcase your academic qualifications, such as bachelor's and master's degrees in English and any specific teaching training you have. Highlight your experience with different styles and techniques in teaching. Show your prowess in using digital learning tools because they are essential in today's classrooms. Beyond listing the classes you've taught, demonstrate the positive outcomes you've achieved like increasing student literacy rates or boosting student participation due to the use of digital tools. Stick to the 'skill-action-results' framework when detailing your impact.

Start With This Resume

Middle School English Teacher

As a Middle School English Teacher, it's important to foster foundational literacy skills, as this role heavily affects a student's future learning. To enhance your application, you should have a degree, diploma, or certification in English or teaching, with a focus on middle school education. It's crucial to demonstrate your skills in managing a classroom and creating a positive learning space, as these factors significantly impact student success during transitional years. Highlight your experience in developing the four language skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Remember, middle school English is all about building fundamental language competencies, not mastering complex literary theory. Instead of simply listing qualifications, show how you've made a positive difference, such as improved student language skills through multimodal learning or reduced disruptions by implementing a new learning approach. Using a skill-action-results style is key.

Start With This Resume

Secondary English Teacher

Being a Secondary English Teacher involves moving beyond teaching basic skills to applying and interpreting literary works. As an equipped Secondary English Teacher, you can make considerable improvements in a teenager's English abilities. To enhance your application, underline your English or secondary teaching education, including certification programs and related coursework. Talk about your skill in guiding students through intricate texts and leading discussions, as well as your experience with preparing students for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Don't just list your teaching skills, explain how you've used them to achieve tangible results, such as improved test scores or successful SAT preparations.

Start With This Resume

English Teacher Abroad

An English Teacher Abroad can profoundly improve students' global communication skills by teaching English in different cultures. To boost your chances, emphasize your English teaching qualifications like TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL, particularly those paired with practical teaching experience. Show flexibility and cultural awareness, possibly through relevant experiences like past international travel or work. If possible, showcase your understanding of a local language to stand out. Instead of just listing skills, provide examples of your significant impact, like tailoring your teaching style to local culture, resulting in heightened student engagement. Remember to follow a 'skill-action-results' approach.