Experienced Full Stack Mandarin Language Instructor – Online Startalk Program Delivery and Curriculum Development

About Us

Utah State University (USU) is a premier land-grant and space-grant institution, renowned for its commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. With a strong focus on community engagement, innovation, and impact, USU serves approximately 27,500 students across three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. As a leader in online education, USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, while USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Mandarin language instructor to join our Startalk Program team. The instructor will be responsible for delivering high-quality online Mandarin language instruction to high school students in the Startalk Program. The program includes pre-camp and post-camp instruction, curriculum design, and assignment grading. This is a remote position with an immediate start for the right candidate, offering a competitive salary and a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our students.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Online Instruction: Provide 30 hours of online instruction in pre-camp (02/01/2024~05/31/2024) and 30 hours of online instruction in post-camp (07/15/2024~10/05/2024), totaling 60 hours of instruction.
• Conduct Online Language Instruction: Teach 8-10 high school students in accordance with the program curriculum, using engaging and interactive lessons that align with ACTFL language proficiency standards.
• Foster a Positive Learning Environment: Create a positive and inclusive learning environment that encourages active participation, fosters a sense of community, and promotes language acquisition.
• Design and Develop Curriculum: Design high-effective and engaged online curriculum with activities and games to increase students' engagement and motivation, and develop curriculum materials that align with program goals and objectives.
• Utilize Educational Technology: Use educational technology tools and apps to enhance the learning experience, incorporate authentic materials and technology tools to enhance language acquisition, and grade assignments, provide feedback, and assess student performance throughout the program.
• Effective Communication: Ensure effective communication with students, parents, and colleagues, and ensure assignments and assessments are meaningful and aligned with program outcomes.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will need to possess the following qualifications:

• Minimum of Five Years of Teaching Experience: A minimum of five years of full-time secondary school Mandarin teaching experience as a world language teacher.
• Intermediate and Advanced Mandarin Teaching Experience: Proficient in teaching intermediate and advanced levels of Mandarin Chinese.
• Education Technology Skills: Familiarity with educational technology tools and apps, such as Google Classroom, Google/MS Office suite, Nearpod, Quizlet, ChatGPT, etc.
• ACTFL Language Proficiency Standards: A strong understanding of ACTFL language proficiency standards.
• US Citizenship or Permanent Residency: Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident.
• Background Check: The candidate or the candidate's employer cannot be affiliated with Confucius Institution or any Chinese government grant. Job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who possess the following preferred qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Linguistics or a Related Field: A master's degree in linguistics or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with Online Language Instruction: Experience with online language instruction and curriculum development is highly desirable.
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, parents, and colleagues.

Skills and Competencies

To succeed in this role, you will need to possess the following skills and competencies:

• Language Instruction and Curriculum Development: Strong skills in language instruction and curriculum development, with the ability to design and deliver engaging and interactive lessons.
• Education Technology: Familiarity with educational technology tools and apps, with the ability to use them effectively to enhance the learning experience.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Time Management and Organization: Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.

Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits

As a member of the USU team, you will have access to a range of career growth opportunities and learning benefits, including:

• Professional Development Opportunities: Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conferences.
• Mentorship and Coaching: Access to mentorship and coaching, with the opportunity to work with experienced professionals in your field.
• Networking Opportunities: Opportunities to network with colleagues and peers, both within and outside of the university.
• Learning and Development Resources: Access to a range of learning and development resources, including online courses, tutorials, and workshops.

Work Environment and Company Culture

As a member of the USU team, you will be part of a dynamic and inclusive work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We offer a range of benefits and perks, including:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options and flexible hours.
• Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Competitive compensation and benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conferences.
• Collaborative and Supportive Team Environment: A collaborative and supportive team environment, with opportunities to work with experienced professionals in your field.

Compensation, Perks, and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and a range of benefits and perks, including:

• Competitive Salary: A competitive salary, reflecting our commitment to attracting the best talent.
• Health Insurance: Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Plans: Retirement plans, including a 403(b) plan and a 457(b) plan.
• Paid Time Off: Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conferences.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please submit the following documents:

• Resume: A resume highlighting your relevant teaching experience.
• Cover Letter: A cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications for the position.
• Recommendation Letter: One recommendation letter from a professional reference.
• Language Lesson Plan Sample: One 30-minute language lesson plan sample from Nearpod.

Conclusion

We are excited to offer this opportunity to join our team and contribute to the success of our students. If you are a motivated and experienced Mandarin language instructor who is passionate about teaching and learning, we encourage you to apply for this role. Please submit your application, including the required documents, to be considered for this position.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to join our team. We look forward to reviewing your application.