1.Equal Opportunity Policy

The British Council applies an equal opportunity policy that prohibits unjustifiable discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, age, disability or socio-economic background. Schools that are not in compliance with the same policy will not be accepted onto the programme.

2.Application

The host school will file the application to the British Council, stating the basic terms and conditions on which the LA will be employed. The application will be regarded as part of the contract and all the commitments made therein should be carried out unless otherwise agreed between the school and the LA. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

3.Programme Guidance

The host school will follow the programme timeline set out in the programme guidance and ensure regular email contact with the LA before their arrival. Failure to fulfil this condition may lead to re-placement of the LA.

4.Mentor Teacher

The host school will identify a mentor teacher to be the first point of contact for the LA. This mentor teacher must be an English speaker and will provide pastoral care to the LA.

5.Visa document

The host school will apply for the visa invitation letter from the FAO, and for the foreign expert certificate from the State Bureau for Foreign Experts and send them to the LA together with the formal contract to ensure the LA arrives in China with appropriate work visa.

6.Airfare

The host school will cover the cost of the return international airfare from the city to the UK subject to completing the full academic year. An equivalent cash payment can be made on the basis of the quote from a travel agent.

7.Accommodation

Accommodation will be prepared in advance. There must be a kitchen with cooking facilities. The school should meet the utility bills (gas, water, electricity ) as well as rental/maintenance costs. Ceiling limits on how much the school pays can be set regarding these costs. On working days lunch should be provided by the school.

The school will provide internet access to the LA on campus or at home as many messages will be sent by the British Council and family by email. A private telephone will be made available for use and the telephone bill will be met by the LA.

8.Teaching

The LA will be given between 14 and 18 classes a week. Extra lessons and/or works can only be agreed on an overtime rate payable to the LA.

9.Salary

The school will pay a salary no less than 2, 500 RMB a month for 10 months in cash as well as a travel allowance for the new year holiday based on one month salary. In East China, the minimum monthly salary is 3,000RMB.

10.Curfew

Any weekday evening curfew should only be established if recommended by the Public Security Bureau. To avoid curfew, we recommend the school gets the LA to sign an agreement to say they will be responsible for their own safety. The independence of the LA should be encouraged.    

11.Independence

The UK Language Assistants programme is a free service of the British Council that brings schools access to native English speakers to assist with language teaching. Once the placement finishes the host school will take an independent role as the employer of the LA.

The British Council is most grateful in advance for your co-operation and we look forward to helping you achieve benefits from your language assistant.