EducationISCO 2330
Classical languages teacher secondary school
A classical languages teacher in a secondary school is a person who teaches Latin and ancient Greek to pupils at secondary level.
Check yourself in a minute: classical languages teacher secondary school
Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
monitor developments in field of expertise
liaise with educational support staff
manage student relationships
adapt teaching to student's capabilities
maintain students' discipline
About classical languages teacher secondary school
The teacher is a subject specialist, trained in the field of dead languages. They prepare lesson plans and materials, run the lessons, and assess pupils' knowledge and performance through assignments, tests and examinations. They monitor progress and give individual help where needed.
Teaching a language nobody speaks differs from teaching a spoken one: the goal is reading, so the work moves from forms and syntax to translation and then to what the text is actually saying. The teacher adapts teaching methods to what a pupil is capable of and recognises learning difficulties, including those that have nothing to do with the subject.
The teacher also manages student relationships and maintains discipline. They monitor developments in their field of specialisation, such as new editions of texts and commentaries. Teaching qualifications and the pedagogical training required are set by the education law of each country.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a classical languages teacher secondary school.
1
Curriculum Planning and Material Development
- Prepare comprehensive lesson plans aligned with curriculum objectives and secondary school procedures
- Compile and develop course materials including translations, grammar exercises, and classical texts
- Create engaging teaching resources that connect classical languages to modern contexts
- Design assessments and examination materials that accurately measure student learning outcomes
2
Instruction and Teaching
- Teach classical languages including Latin, Ancient Greek, and foundational Sanskrit concepts
- Apply diverse instructional strategies tailored to different student learning styles and capabilities
- Demonstrate language concepts, grammatical structures, and translation techniques through modeling
- Teach cultural and historical context of classical antiquity to enhance language comprehension
3
Student Assessment and Monitoring
- Assess student knowledge and performance through assignments, tests, quizzes, and examinations
- Monitor student progress throughout the academic year and identify areas needing improvement
- Provide detailed feedback and guidance to help students improve their language skills
- Identify students with learning difficulties and recommend appropriate support interventions
4
Student Support and Relationship Building
- Provide individual assistance and tutoring to students struggling with classical language concepts
- Adapt teaching methods to accommodate different student capabilities and learning difficulties
- Manage student relationships and maintain positive classroom discipline
- Liaise with educational support staff to ensure comprehensive student development
5
Professional Development and Collaboration
- Monitor developments in classical languages pedagogy and educational best practices
- Cooperate with other education professionals to enhance curriculum quality
- Participate in school professional development activities and training opportunities
- Assist in organizing school events that promote classical languages and cultural appreciation
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (26)
classical languagesclassical languagesAll dead languages, no longer actively used, originating from various periods in history, such as Latin from Antiquity, Middle English from the Middle Ages, Classical Maya from the Pre-colonial Americ...SanskritSanskritThe Sanskrit language.learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.Ancient GreekAncient GreekThe Ancient Greek language.LatinLatinThe Latin language.secondary school proceduressecondary school proceduresThe inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.monitor developments in field of expertisemonitor developments in field of expertiseKeep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.teach languagesteach languagesInstruct students in the theory and practice of a language. Use a wide range of teaching and learning techniques to promote proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in that language.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...liaise with educational staffliaise with educational staffCommunicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with th...assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.develop course outlinedevelop course outlineResearch and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...compile course materialcompile course materialWrite, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...classical antiquityclassical antiquityThe period in history marked by ancient Greek and ancient Roman cultures, before the Middle Ages.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...
Optional (24) — show
modern languagesmodern languagesAll human languages still actively used today.adolescent socialisation behaviouradolescent socialisation behaviourThe social dynamics through which young adults live amongst each other, expressing their likes and dislikes and the rules of communication between generations.disability typesdisability typesThe nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled peop...linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.language teaching methodslanguage teaching methodsThe techniques used to teach students a foreign language, such as audio-lingual, communicative language teaching (CLT), and immersion.Computer Assisted Language LearningComputer Assisted Language LearningA language teaching and learning approach in which information technologies as well as computer-based resources are used to reinforce, present, make interactive and assess second or foreign languages ...assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.identify learning disordersidentify learning disordersObserve and detect symptoms of Specific Learning Difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in children or adult learners. Refer the student to t...consult student's support systemconsult student's support systemCommunicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.recognise indicators of gifted studentrecognise indicators of gifted studentObserve students during instruction and identify signs of exceptionally high intelligence in a student, such as showing remarkable intellectual curiosity or showing restlessness due to boredom and or ...speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.arrange parent teacher meetingarrange parent teacher meetingSet up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.prepare youths for adulthoodprepare youths for adulthoodWork with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.identify cross-curricular links with other subject areasidentify cross-curricular links with other subject areasRecognise correlations and overlaps between your subject of expertise and other subjects. Decide on a levelled approach to the material with the teacher of the associated subject and adjust lesson pla...provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.ethnolinguisticsethnolinguisticsThe field of linguistics that studies the relation between a language and the culture of the people who speak it.oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a classical languages teacher secondary school do?
Classical languages teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, classical languages. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students' progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students' knowledge and performance on the subject of classical languages through assignments, tests and examinations.
What skills does a classical languages teacher secondary school need?
A classical languages teacher secondary school needs 26 essential skills, including classical languages, Sanskrit, learning difficulties, instructional strategies, Ancient Greek.
Will AI replace classical languages teacher secondary school jobs?
The AI disruption score for classical languages teacher secondary school is 58/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep records of attendance, Sanskrit, Latin. Most resilient: escort students on a field trip, classical languages, prepare youths for adulthood.
AI Replacement Risk
58/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
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