Foreign languages teachers aid students in learning a foreign language from the conversational level through fluency. To be successful, a teacher of foreign languages must be fluent in the language(s) to be taught.

With these skills, instructors create an environment for students to learn effectively. Foreign language teachers usually teach several levels concurrently, from beginning speakers of foreign languages to students who are approaching fluency. Instruction in foreign languages includes vocabulary, grammar, and accent as well as spelling and other mechanics of language.