Language assistantships

British Council Language Assistantship Programme

The School of Modern Languages (SoML) enjoys a long and successful relationship with the British Council Language Assistantship Programme. This well-established programme is the most popular option for SoML students wishing to undertake an integrated year abroad (WIYA).  Find out full information about the programme and country-specific placement information on the relevant British Council web pages. The programme is not limited to those considering a future career in education. You will improve your language skills, be able to explore a new community, gain greater independence and worthwhile skills and experience for any future employment.

What will I do?
  • Support the teaching of English language and culture
  • Take small groups or team-teach
  • You may be posted in a primary school, secondary school, college, state-run language school or university
  • Be an Ambassador for the UK
  • Get involved in the school community
  • Work between 12 and 20 hours per week
Where can I go?
  • English language assistants (ELAs) can go to 14 different countries, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France (also Corsica and outre-mer), Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Latin America, though SoML students considering this as a WIYA option must go to a country where French, German, Italian or Spanish is one of the official languages.
  • Check out the British Council website for more details
What age group will I be working with?
  • ELAs can teach primary, secondary or adult groups depending on the individual country
  • You can specify preferences for type of institution and age group on your application
How long will I be there?
  • Dates and duration varies but placements typically start in September/October and end late May. For some options in Latin America this varies more significantly
 Am I eligible?
  • You must have achieved a minimum of Higher/AS Level in the language of the host country
  • You must be a native speaker of English, have completed all your secondary school education in the UK and successfully completed two years of University education (on first sitting)
  • British Citizens schooled overseas are eligible to apply and may have an additional telephone interview
  • For full eligibility details check the Am I eligible? page; remember to check also country-specific requirements
  • The programme is competitive; placements are not guaranteed and are subject to gaining Honours entry
How do I apply?
  • Apply online with a reference from your tutor. Some applicants may be interviewed (usually only for those wishing to go outside Europe)
  • SoML provides support during the application process and a reference
  • Applications are then passed through a national clearing system organised by the British Council, in cooperation with Ministries of Education of the relevant countries
What will I receive?
  • You will be paid by a local authority or host school (monthly stipend net pay varies by country)

All language assistants will be required to obtain an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC), which is a form of criminal record check for UK nationals or non-UK nationals previously resident in the UK, seeking to work with children overseas.  You will be instructed to apply for an ICPC if you receive a provisional offer of an assistantship from the British Council. Under no circumstances should you apply for an ICPC until instructed to do so by the British Council. 

Please note the cost attached to this check is approximately £75.

Please refer to the British Council guidelines for Language Assistants for further information. The British Council Language Assistants podcast is also a useful resource.

Are there other language assistantship programmes for students of different nationalities?

Students of different nationalities are welcome to explore relevant options available to them. Other language assistantship programmes include: Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships, the Teaching Assistant Programme in France and North American Culture Assistants in Spain. The University has no agreements with these programmes and each individual prospective placement would have to be approved by the School.

Students who are have applied to be a language assistant may be interested in the Supporting learning in TESOL.