Assistant Professor, French & Italian (TE)

The Department of French and Italian in the School of International Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Arizona invites applications for an in-person tenure-eligible position at the rank of Assistant Professor to serve as Director of the French Basic Language Program (BLP) at the beginning of the fall semester in August 2026.

A Ph.D. in French linguistics, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, or second language education, or related discipline is required in hand at time of appointment.

We are particularly interested in someone who will bring a new dimension and expertise to our program, as well as help us recruit and increase our number of undergraduate French majors by developing and implementing an innovative curriculum that aligns with contemporary pedagogical principles and offers engaging learning experiences for our students. The area of expertise is open, but candidates must have an active research agenda closely related to the duties and responsibilities of directing a French BLP. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: French for Professional Purposes, technology-enhanced language learning, online second language education.

Application review date is November 14, 2025.

Alumni Jacquelynn and Bennett Dorrance have made a gift commitment of $5.4 million to endow the deanship of the University of Arizona College of Humanities and inspire on campus and throughout the world a continuous and fearless spirit of open inquiry: https://humanities.arizona.edu/about/fearless-inquiries-project.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

The successful candidate will be qualified to teach French graduate and undergraduate courses at all levels, and in all modalities (in person, hybrid, online). The Director of the French BLP, which includes in person and online first and second-year French courses, designs the curriculum, trains and supervises Graduate Assistants in Teaching (GATs), and offers them continuous professional learning opportunities.

The new hire will also have the ability to work effectively with the department head, faculty, staff, and students. Candidates must provide evidence and/or promise of scholarly achievement, demonstrated excellence in teaching French language classes, and an active commitment to recruit undergraduate French majors and graduate students. Native or near-native proficiency in English and French is required.

• Direct the French BLP.
• Teach two courses per academic year (this includes 1 course reduction per semester as director of the BLP). The candidate will be qualified and expected to teach French courses for the undergraduate major, especially, but not limited to, courses at the 300 level (i.e., FREN 301, 302, 310, 320) and graduate courses for the Masters in French in the candidate's area of specialization.
• Lead innovative curriculum development and course design in the BLP.
• Train, supervise and evaluate GATs and instructors teaching in the BLP.
• Organize and lead the GATs' orientation, and conduct regular meetings for the professional development of GATs.
• Possess and maintain an active research agenda and record of publication commensurate with a Research I institution.
• Actively recruit and assist in recruiting French majors and graduate students.
• Contribute to departmental, college and university service.
• Participate in Departmental and College-wide activities such as Meet Your Major Fair, Study Abroad Fair, Language Fair, Convocation, Welcome Back receptions, Homecoming, Arizona in Paris study abroad program, Commencement and the Tucson Humanities Festival.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Robust research skills.
• Demonstrated student-centered pedagogical knowledge; ability to serve the 21st-century educational needs of student population.
• Superior communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to teach a variety of French undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Demonstrated interest and potential in recruiting undergraduate French majors and graduate student.

• Ph.D. in French linguistics, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, or second language education.
• Native or near native proficiency in French and English.
• Demonstrated interest and potential in recruiting undergraduate French majors and graduate students.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching collegiate French courses at all levels and in all modalities (in person, hybrid, online).
• Evidence or promise of scholarly achievement aligned with the expectations of a Research 1 university.
• Demonstrated experience or interest in innovative BLP curriculum development and course design.

• Experience with directing or assisting with the direction of a Basic Language Program.
• Evidence of successfully recruiting undergraduate French majors and graduate students.
• Experience working with first-generation college students.