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EducationISCO 2330

Literature teacher at secondary school

A literature teacher in a secondary school is a person who teaches literature to children and teenagers — a subject specialist trained in the field rather than a general class teacher.

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Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

teach principles of literature

prepare lesson content

monitor developments in field of expertise

compile course material

liaise with educational support staff

About literature teacher at secondary school

Day to day, the work of a literature teacher starts with preparation: choosing the texts a class will read, planning how to work through them, and putting together the materials and extracts the lessons will use. In the lesson the teacher explains the context a text sits in, leads the discussion and close reading that the subject depends on, and sets the written work through which students learn to argue about what they have read. Assessment follows: marking essays and assignments, running tests and examinations, and tracking what each student has learned. Students who fall behind are helped individually, and a teacher who identifies a learning difficulty changes the task or the explanation rather than repeating it.

A lit teacher works with classes of teenagers in school classrooms, alongside teachers of other subjects, and keeps up with developments in the field the subject draws on.

The subject asks for wide and genuine reading, because a class notices the difference between a teacher who knows a book and one who knows about it. Teaching skill counts equally: matching the approach to the class, maintaining discipline during open discussion, managing relationships with students, and getting readers of very different ability through the same text. Formal qualifications are set by each country's school system.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (26)

literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.literary theoryliterary theoryThe different genres of literature and the way they fit into specific scenes.history of literaturehistory of literatureThe historical evolution of forms of writing that are meant to entertain, educate or to give instructions to the audience, such as fictional prose and poems. The techniques used to communicate these w...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.writing techniqueswriting techniquesThe different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.literary techniquesliterary techniquesThe various approaches an author can use to enhance their writing and produce a specific effect; this can be the choice of a specific genre or the use of metaphors, allusions, and word play.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.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.teach principles of literatureteach principles of literatureInstruct students in the theory and practice of literature, more specifically in reading and writing techniques, etymology and literary analysis.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.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.compile course materialcompile course materialWrite, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.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.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...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.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...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.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...perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.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...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.
Optional (25) — show
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...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...ethnolinguisticsethnolinguisticsThe field of linguistics that studies the relation between a language and the culture of the people who speak it.types of literature genrestypes of literature genresThe different literary genres in the history of literature, their technique, tone, content and length.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.rhetoricrhetoricThe art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.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 ...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.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.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.oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a literature teacher at secondary school do?

Literature 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, literature. 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 literature through assignments, tests and examinations.

What skills does a literature teacher at secondary school need?

A literature teacher at secondary school needs 26 essential skills, including literature, literary theory, history of literature, learning difficulties, instructional strategies.

Will AI replace literature teacher at secondary school jobs?

The AI disruption score for literature teacher at secondary school is 54/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep records of attendance, history of literature, modern languages. Most resilient: escort students on a field trip, classical languages, prepare youths for adulthood.

Quick Facts

SectorEducation
ISCO GroupTeaching professionals
Essential Skills26

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