2. How this webinar will work
How will this webinar work?
Please ensure your microphone/phone is on mute
The webinar will be recorded
Please refrain from asking any questions during the webinar. There will be a Q&A section at the end
of the webinar
About the British Council?
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries
and builds trust between them worldwide. We are on the ground in six continents and over 100
countries bringing international opportunity to life, every day.
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
3. Aims of this webinar
Be sure of the facts about Language Assistants
Obtain information about the kind of work Language Assistants do in schools
Consider the benefits of having a Language Assistant for:
- the whole school
- the languages department
Understand the financial implications of employing a Language Assistant
Develop a knowledge of the support available for Language Assistants and the schools who employ
them
Help you plan the next steps with your headteacher
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
4. What is a Language Assistant? (1)
Native speakers of French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin, Russian and Irish
Specific interest in working with young people
Usually between 20 and 30 years old
Generally have strong command of English
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
5. What is a Language Assistant? (2)
Model of authentic pronunciation, intonation and usage of the language pupils are learning
A ‘living’ cultural reference point
Role model for broadening the school’s cultural provision and perspective
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
6. What Language Assistants do in schools
Work in a variety of contexts including whole classes or small groups of pupils
Model authentic pronunciation, intonation and usage of the language pupils are learning
Give pupils the opportunity to use the language they are learning for real purposes
Plan activities and prepare resources for teaching
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
7. How a Language Assistant can benefit a
whole school
Enrichment across the curriculum
Contribute to school’s self-evaluation
Build capacity to strengthen the language element of the curriculum
Broaden the international perspective of the school
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
8. the school’s modern languages
programme
Increase confidence and accuracy of pupil’s use of the target language
Model native speaker pronunciation
Develop and use authentic materials
Improve engagement in lessons
Increase capacity to address the modern languages department’s development priorities including
uptake
Raise the profile of language and culture at all key stages in the school
Improve teachers’ subject knowledge (language and culture)
Broaden the international perspective of the school and help establish partnership links
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
9. Cost of a Language Assistant
Contract period: 1 October – 31 May
From 12- 18 hours contact time per week
Can be shared between up to three schools
Salary set by British Council (slight variations depending on location)
Full details available by clicking here
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
10. Additional benefits of a Language
Assistant
Promote effective primary / secondary transition by sharing a Language Assistant
Strengthen networking between a group of schools by sharing a Language Assistant
Organise whole-school / special events for languages
Contribute to school gaining International School Award
Additional responsible adult for relevant extra-curricular activities
Help to potentially establish partnership links with another country
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
11. Support for Language Assistant
programme
British Council SchoolsOnline website
Some countries run face-to-face induction and training before Language Assistants depart for the
UK
Training hosted by the British Council and / or cultural institutes (e.g. Institut Français, Goethe
Institut, Instituto Cervantes, etc.)
Language Assistants team at the British Council
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
12. Language Assistants:
planning the next steps - 1
Enlist the support of pupils
Analyse school’s data to demonstrate a proven need to improve speaking and/or the cultural
dimension of language learning
Use your department development plan to identify priorities which a Language Assistant could
support and plan how to use him / her
Rehearse your case with your line manager
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
13. Language Assistants:
planning the next steps - 2
Book a meeting with your headteacher and your line manager to present your plans
Provide your headteacher with an action plan including objectives, aims, actions, timescales, how
you will monitor and evaluate the impact of the Language Assistant’s contribution to pupils’
achievement
Review your plan at regular intervals with your line manager
Present Language Assistant ‘good news’ to pupils, your headteacher, parents and school governors
in person, via e-mail, in school newsletters or on the school’s website
Maintain a watching brief on the British Council Language Assistants website for schools
Contact the Language Assistants team if required
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
14. Question time
Your contributions will form part of a FAQ for Heads of Languages available on the British Council
website
Apply for a Language Assistant today
Email us if you would like to read the FAQ or participate further in helping compile the list
www.britishcouncil.org/schools/language-assistants
