British Council

For more information on applying to be a British Council Language Assistant abroad, please refer to their website.  Full application information will be published shortly.  https://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants/become

 

It is expected that applications will be made directly to the British Council using their online system. 

Due to the timeline, DELC students must not apply for both Erasmus study AND a Language Assistant position. 

 

Timeline (please note this is from 2016/17 however should help in deciding if a placement is for you):

https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ela_lifecycle_document_v3.pdf

 

Things for students to consider prior to applying

• Flexibility is a pre-requisite for the programme: although we aim to allocate successful candidates to one of three area choices, this cannot be guaranteed.
• THIS IS A JOB APPLICATION! There are more students applying than we have posts. Candidates are expected to complete the application with as much care and attention as they would any other job application.
• It is not acceptable for a student to submit an application and then drop out because they are not happy with the location they are offered. Withdrawals severely compromise relations between the British Council and our international partners, potentially damaging the programme itself for future generations.
• The number of posts for each country varies from year to year and is fixed by our foreign partners.
• Candidates applying to Canada, Latin American countries, China or Switzerland should ensure that they select this country as their first choice. There is great competition for these posts. However we would like to encourage more candidates to apply for these posts. Academic ability is not the only important factor; we look for candidates who show adaptability, flexibility and independence. We would greatly appreciate your support in encouraging suitable candidates to apply for these posts. Candidate for these posts will have to attend an assessment day as part of the selection procedure.
• We might not be holding assessment days for Switzerland this year.
• Candidates for Canada, Latin America, or Switzerland who are unsuccessful may be offered the opportunity to transfer their application to a/another European country if they meet the eligibility requirements. 

Disabilities/medical conditions

• The declaration of disabilities or medical conditions is very important.  Please ensure that students provide the relevant information.  It helps us and our partners to find suitable posts for them as well as ensuring they have the appropriate support. If students fail to declare something then we cannot guarantee we will be able to find a placement that meets their needs.

 

 Insurance

Students should be reminded to take out suitable insurance prior to their assistantship. We provide advice on our website.

COUNTRY SPECIFIC

 Austria

• Short term posts, in either the first or second semester, will be available once again, however please note that these are limited.
• Please note we must match first and second semester candidates to make up a full placement, and so flexibility regarding which semester the assistantship is undertaken is more likely to be successful.

Belgium

• Undergraduates (students on a compulsory year abroad) take priority for Belgium, however final year students are      eligible and should also be encouraged to apply.

France 

• In accordance with French government legislation, religious symbols are not allowed to be worn in French schools. Ensure that students are aware of this in advance. We have added information to the relevant page of our website.
• In addition, if a candidate needs to take particular day/s as holiday for religious reasons, they/the tutor should contact us in advance. The French government issues a list of the days that can be taken as leave for religious observances and we can pass this on to them.
• Primary posts in France are on the decline.    Canada

• Posts in Canada are extremely rural and can be challenging due to extreme weather conditions. There are only two posts in cities.
• Assessment days are conducted for short-listed candidates

Germany

• We anticipate a slight reduction in the number of posts in 2016-17 and candidates should be aware that the process is competitive.
• Short term posts, in the first semester [01 September – 28 February], will be available once again, however please note that these are limited.
• Although we hope to be able to place all undergraduates, a waiting list may be in operation. Once again we will prioritise year abroad undergraduates.
• North Rhine West Phalia had the most posts last year, with competition extremely high for the large German cities. There are very limited posts in Berlin, Bremen, Munich and Hamburg. Candidates should consider this when making their choices.
• Preference for posts is now split by geographical region within Germany rather than by individual Bundesland.

Italy

• The Italian Ministry of Education have advised that they expect a similar number of posts (circa 55) for next year.
• We would encourage graduates and final year students to apply. However, given the limited number of posts available, they should be advised that they will be placed on a waiting list. If graduates are allocated, it will most likely be later in the summer. 
• Posts in the Alto Adige region in Northern Italy are most suited to students studying both Italian and German, and they will be given priority over other candidates for these posts. Please ensure students are aware of this opportunity.
• Some of these posts are rural and in small communities.
• This year we provided a pre departure briefing for the first time and are considering doing so again in 2016/17.

Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico)

• Assessment days are conducted for short-listed candidates
• Argentina: posts are for 6 months (March 2017 – September 2017.) Dual language undergraduates will take priority and it should be noted that these posts are highly competitive.  While we cannot guarantee the number of posts as this varies, for 2015-16 there were only 8 posts available. We would not expect this number to increase significantly for 2016-17
• Candidates successful in gaining a post in Latin America will receive a safety briefing prior to departure.
• In the past, Latin America was classed as one country for administrative purposes and candidates were asked to rank the countries as area preferences. This year, applicants will be able to apply directly for individual countries in Latin America and, where possible, be able to select area preferences in-country. 

 Spain

• Some posts are very rural, particularly in Andalucía, Cataluña and Valencia. Candidates selecting these regions need to be realistic – not all can be in a large city. Candidates need to research carefully.
• There are two types of posting in Spain; Ministerio posts and Comunidad posts.  The conditions vary slightly between each (e.g. timing of information) which can sometime confuse Assistants. 

Switzerland

• Assessment days for Switzerland are no longer going to be held.
• Candidates must have teaching experience, and therefore posts in Switzerland are normally only suitable for graduates or undergraduates with more experience.
• Posts are available in French and German-speaking cantons.