The article addresses the question of the necessary personal and professional qualities of a foreign-language teacher in the era of increasing emphasis on the humanization of education. The authors analyze contemporary research into this topic, identify common qualities of a competent teacher, as well as those specifically required for a foreign-language instructor. The article presents the results of the survey aimed at studying the opinions of students majoring in pedagogy on the professional and personally significant qualities of a teacher. A comparative analysis is provided in this article, examining the understanding of the qualities essential for an educator in the works of contemporary researchers and surveyed students of pedagogical sphere. The conclusion emphasizes the integrative nature of certain characteristics and underscores the necessity for a teacher to combine both professional and personal qualities for effective educational activities based on a humanistic approach.