Latest News

A selection of language-related news. Does not claim to be comprehensive or represent the views of SCILT.


English Language Assistants

Teach abroad as an English Language Assistant

4 December 2019 (British Council)

Every year, around 2,500 language assistants from the UK support the teaching of English in 14 countries around the world. 

We offer the opportunity to teach English overseas on a paid six-month or one-year placement working as a language assistant. 

As an English Language Assistant, you will: 

  • strengthen your CV
  • improve your fluency in another language
  • gain a number of skills including communication, presentation, time management, organisation, teamwork, and problem-solving
  • immerse yourself in another culture and improve your cultural awareness
  • develop professional confidence

Teaching time is limited to between 12 and 20 hours a week, giving you plenty of time to experience the country and pursue other interests.

Visit the British Council website to find out more and to apply to be an English Language Assistant in 2020-21. Closing date: 5 February 2020.

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English Language Assistants in Spain

12 February 2016 (British Council)

Would you like to be an English Language Assistant in Spain for the 2016-2017 academic year? British Council applications are now open.

The large number of posts available this year means that it is very likely that the vast majority of applicants for Spain will be allocated by the Spanish Ministry of Education (MECD).

Please note that the minimum language level required for a post in Spain is A2 on the European Framework (slightly lower than the B1 requirement for other countries) and that, as with all countries, applicants do not need a formal qualification in Spanish to be eligible.

Find out more about the eligibility requirements and posts in Spain on the British Council website.

Why become a language assistant in Spain?

Becoming a language assistant in Spain offers candidates a paid international work placement that can really make their CV stand out. As well as providing an opportunity to build on their Spanish language and teaching skills (or find out whether teaching is really for them), a language assistant placement enables candidates to develop a range of skills such as confidence, team working, adaptability and cultural awareness that are transferrable to future employment. In fact, 95% of last year's assistants said the assistantship enhanced their career prospects, and 90% said they'd improved or greatly improved their language, teaching and other transferable skills.

With only 12-16 teaching hours per week and a generous monthly allowance, assistants in Spain have the opportunity to explore this interesting and diverse country, as well as to visit neighbouring countries in their spare time.

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Applications now open for our Language Assistants programme

3 November 2011 (British Council)

With year-long, paid placements and light teaching hours, becoming a Language Assistant is a unique way to experience another country and develop essential transferrable skills. Applications for the 2016-17 academic year are open.

Find out everything you need to know below and hear from Language Assistants placed all around the world on the British Council website.

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UK-German FLA/ELA Ambassadors

21 September 2015 (UK-German Connection)

Do you want to inspire your pupils by providing authentic contact to young people in the other country, whilst also improving your own intercultural skills? Then apply for the FLA/ELA Ambassadors Network 2015-16.

The FLA/ELA Ambassadors are a network of language assistants who are working in schools in the UK and Germany. They run small projects, activities, events or clubs in order to inspire and motivate young people in their schools for the language and culture of the other country. Projects should address themes that are of educational value as well as interesting and relevant for the target group.

Visit the UK-German Connection website to find out more about the Ambassador Network and to apply by 19 October 2015.

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UK Language Assistants share their views on life in Germany

13 May 2014 (British Council blog)

Each year more than 250 Language Assistants come to Germany to work in schools across the country. We have invited a selection of them to tell us about their impressions so far. Their responses are appearing in our Germany Experience blog series running up to the end of the school year. Here’s part six …

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Demystifying China in the ‘Venice of the East’

18 November 2013 (British Council)

James Coop, a Graduate in BSc Computer Science at Cardiff University, talks about his experience as an English Language Assistant in Suzhou, China.

Perhaps his experience will inspire you to become an ELA too. You can apply to China or one of the other 13 countries on offer by 2 December 2013.

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Related Links

Beyond sushi: the attractions of lecturing in Japan (THE, 14 November 2013) - Susan K Burton looks back at her time teaching at Japanese universities and wonders why more Westerners don’t head east.
University of Strathclyde Education Scotland British Council Scotland The Scottish Government
SCILT - Scotlands National centre for Languages