Assistant Professor in Chinese in Worcester Polytechnic Institute – United States

Summary

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure track Assistant Teaching Professor in Chinese within the Department of Humanities and Arts. The position is renewable and offers a path to continuing contracts, starting in August 2027. The role involves teaching 8 courses per academic year (2 courses per seven-week term) and contributing to WPI Global Asia initiatives. Candidates should have a PhD or EdD in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Second Language Acquisition, or a related field, though a Master's degree may be considered for an Instructor level appointment. Required qualifications include native or near-native Mandarin Chinese proficiency, professional English proficiency, and at least 5 years of college-level Chinese teaching experience in the US. The salary range is $78,000 – $82,000, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Facts

Department	Humanities & Arts
Position Type	Assistant Teaching Professor
Discipline	Chinese Language Education
Research Area	Second Language Acquisition
Degree Required	PhD or EdD in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Second Language Acquisition, or a related field; Master's degree may be considered for Instructor level
Experience	Minimum of 5 years of experience teaching Chinese at multiple levels at the college level in the United States
Salary	$78,000 – $82,000
Funding	Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity. WPI benefits package includes a robust retirement match, wellness perks, and tuition assistance.
Contract Duration	Full-time, non-tenure track, renewable with a path to secure continuing contracts
Language	Native or near-native proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and professional-level proficiency in English
Required Documents	Cover letter, Current Curriculum Vitae (CV), Two sample syllabi (one for Elementary Chinese, one of candidate's choosing)
Employer Address	Worcester

Key Responsibilities

• Teach 8 courses per academic year (two courses per 7-week term)
• Deliver effective, engaging, and inclusive Chinese language instruction to undergraduate students
• Work both collaboratively and independently, contributing to broader departmental and institutional initiatives
• Practice innovative pedagogical approaches and deliver instruction based on established best practices

Required Skills

• Formal training in teaching Chinese as a foreign language and/or second language acquisition language education
• Native or near-native proficiency in Mandarin Chinese
• Professional-level proficiency in English
• Minimum of 5 years of experience teaching Chinese at multiple levels at the college level in the United States
• Familiarity with a variety of teaching methods
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Willingness to adapt and learn
• Clear record of professional growth

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for dedicated language educators with significant experience teaching Chinese at the college level in the United States. Ideal candidates are adaptable, thrive in dynamic academic environments, are committed to professional growth, and can work both collaboratively and independently. Those with a PhD or EdD in relevant fields are preferred, but highly qualified Master's degree holders may also be considered.

Benefits

• Robust retirement match
• Wellness perks
• Tuition assistance
• Health insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Work-life balance

About the Employer

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a dynamic, inclusive community of faculty, staff, and students committed to collaboration that sparks innovation to benefit the world. It operates on a distinctive seven-week term schedule, with four terms per academic year. WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking individuals from all backgrounds to contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem-solving, innovation, high performance, and change-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the start date for this position?

The position is scheduled to begin in August 2027.

Is this a tenure-track position?

No, this is a full-time non-tenure track teaching faculty position, but it is renewable and offers a path to secure continuing contracts.

How many courses will the hired faculty member teach per year?

The hired faculty member will teach 8 courses per year, which is 2 courses per seven-week term.

What are the minimum language proficiency requirements?

Native or near-native proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and professional-level proficiency in English are required.

What is the application review process?

Application review will begin on October 19 and will continue until the position is filled.

What additional materials might be requested from short-listed candidates?

Short-listed candidates may be contacted to submit a teaching portfolio with a statement of teaching philosophy, a 20-40 minute teaching demonstration video, and three letters of reference, one of which must be from a teaching supervisor.