In the English language, the most common way to refer to a female teacher is simply to use the word ‘teacher’. It doesn’t matter if the teacher is a male or female, as the word ‘teacher’ is a gender-neutral term that applies to both sexes. That being said, in some countries such as the United States, the word ‘teacher’ doesn’t have a specific gender-neutral form like other languages such as Spanish or French.
However, when there is a need to differentiate between male and female teachers, there are some expressions that can be used. For example, to refer to a female teacher, one can use the word ‘instructor’. This term is often used in a specialized context, like a health club or a fitness center, but in general, it can also apply to a female teacher.
Another way to refer to a female teacher is to use the word ‘professor’. This term is more often used in American colleges and universities. However, in British English and other varieties of English, the word ‘professor’ is used more specifically as an academic rank. Therefore, using ‘professor’ to refer to a teacher could lead to some confusion.
In other regions like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, the word ‘lecturer’ is used more frequently. This is similar to the American use of ‘professor’ but applies in more cross-disciplinary academic contexts.
If the context describes a more informal or familiar situation, you could also refer to a female teacher by her first name. This is the most casual option and can be used by students and teachers alike. However, it’s best to avoid using this option unless given approval by the teacher.
On rare occasions you might also hear the term ‘schoolmistress’ – this term was commonly used in the past, but today, it is rarely used. Notably, in Spanish ‘maestra’ can also be used to refer to the occupation of a pianist, or even a conductor.
In conclusion, it can be quite challenging to translate the word ‘maestra’ into English, as there isn’t a specific term that perfectly fits without context. The most common way to refer to a female teacher in English is to use the gender-neutral term ‘teacher’. If for any reason more specific identification is necessary, terms such as ‘instructor’, ‘lecturer’, or ‘professor’ can be used, depending on the circumstance. Ultimately, it is important to understand that language is fluid, and expressions and meanings can differ depending on the context of the conversation.