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[praise_of_folly]

I currently teach one night a week at a Tier-1 research university while working full time as a consultant in an area related to my academic research. Teaching one class keeps my foot in the academic door, while allowing me to earn a decent salary and use my free time to write and publish. I have recently been approached about teaching a second evening course in an area related to my research, which would give me a 1:1 load in addition to my full time job. I continue to apply selectively to TT jobs in my field that are seeking scholars with academic and applied experience. Is there any benefit to teaching the second class, or am I better to focus on my full time job and publishing? Thanks. (Apologies for cross-posting. I realized this post probably belongs here...).

[charlesr]

I would say no. 

[untenured]

No.  An additional class does not give your CV any additional strength for applicants.  You teach now and I assume you get good evals.  That establishes your ability as a teacher.

Unless you either really need the money or have to compensate for poor prior scores, take the time you would use for the class and use it for research.

Publications are the key.  Publications get you hired.  Publications get you tenured.  This may be unfortunate in many cases but it is the reality for a large swath of the job market.

Untenured

[praise_of_folly]

Thank you to the two previous posters for the clear advice on publishing over additional teaching. I can already demonstrate teaching experience in an R1. It sounds think like publications in refereed journals should take priority over developing a new course. 

[educator1]

Since I don't know your field, this comment may be off the mark.
You may wish to give serious consideration on focusing on developing your consulting practice as opposed to wishing for the TT position. Simply having a TT position does not mean that you will get tenure. It is possible that you could establish a better intellectual and personal lifestyle developing a great and innovative consulting practice. In doing that, a 1:1 position at a prestigious institution is worth its weight in gold for client development.

[2much2do]

Praise_of_folly, thanks for posting - I'm in much the same position.  I left a TT position to work at my dream job for a non-profit, but am teaching one night school class.to get library access.  I was asked to teach two classes next year, but asked to teach only one.  I don't see an advantage to teaching two classes, although I worry that if I don't meet the department's needs, I may not get even one class next year.

[wsr88d]

Unless the 2nd course is a different type of course within your field - and you want the experience...then it cannot really hurt you...a diversity in your teaching various subjects is also nice to some capacity. On the other hand - unless you are hard up on needing the cash - then that is another good reason to take on a second course.

In my case, while searching for a FT TT position, I teach two different courses per term in my subject area; one online and one traditional (which alternates in formats ever term) at the same college. Keeps me fresh in revisions and applications, experience, and the money isn't too bad either. I do it because I want to.