2010-2011

15 October 2009 marks the start of the recruitment round for 2010-2011. Candidates are required to register online. The process is described below, and the link to the online system is at the bottom of this screen. Please ensure, before completing an application, that you read the information provided under the website headings ‘Where can I go?’ and ‘Am I eligible?’. Terms and conditions vary considerably from one country to another.

Application deadlines (updated 29 January 2010)

England and Wales - The new closing date is 28 February 2010 for applications to: Austria, France, Germany and Spain .

Candidates for China - The closing date is 28 February 2010.

The application deadlines for Belgium, Canada, Italy, Latin America and Switzerland (German- and French-speaking) are now closed.

Scotland - The new closing date is 28 February 2010 for applications to: Austria, France and Spain.  

Candidates for China - The closing date is 28 February 2010.

The application deadlines for Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Latin America and Switzerland (German- and French-speaking) are now closed.

Northern Ireland - The new closing date is 28 February 2010 for applications to: Austria, France, Germany and Spain .

Candidates for China - The closing date is 28 February 2010

The application deadlines for Belgium, Canada, Italy, Latin America and Switzerland (German- and French-speaking) are now closed.

The application process works as follows:

1.  You start by registering online providing details of your current situation, your contact details, your preferences regarding aspects of an assistantship abroad (destination country, regional preferences within that country, preferred age group of pupils and so on). You therefore need to consider and research the options before you express your preferences online.

You must take particular care in entering your personal e-mail address: a typing error at this point would prevent you from progressing to the next step of the application process and it is not possible to register online a second time.

2.  When you submit this data electronically by clicking the Finish button, the system will automatically send an e-mail of acknowledgement to your personal e-mail address.

3.  The e-mail of acknowledgement will include your personal ID number and have the following attachments, together with full instructions:

•a PDF of the data you have just submitted electronically;

•a 3-page application form (a Word document) for you to complete on-screen;

•a reference form (a Word document) to be completed by the tutor who knows you best.

If there are any changes to be made to the details on the PDF, these must be made by hand on the printout, in red pen and large writing, so that they are clearly visible.

The PDF forms page 1 of the application. The 3-page Word document forms pages 2-4 of the application.

On receipt of the e-mail acknowledgment with its 3 attachments, you must:

1.  Complete the Word application form on-screen. We recommend that you save the document so that you give yourself time to prepare your answers carefully. Your name and your personal ID number (given in the e-mail of acknowledgement) must be copied onto the first page of the Word application form.

2.  Print the PDF and your completed Word application form 3 times.

3.  Ensure the 4 pages of your application are in page order (the PDF is page 1 and must be on top). Then staple each set of pages together in the top left corner. One PDF + one application form (the Word document) make a set: an application is complete only if it comprises 3 sets of papers.

4.  Attach a recent photo to each copy of the PDF: a box shows where the photo should go.

5.  Sign each copy of the application form (page 4).

The NEXT STEPS are:

Undergraduates studying a modern foreign language as a main or subsidiary subject

To give your completed application, together with the (blank) reference form, to the tutor or Year Abroad co-ordinator who is handling all assistantship applications from your language department. Please note, the procedure in this respect varies among universities and you should find out how things are done in your own university.

Undergraduates NOT studying a modern foreign language, and all graduates

1.  To request a reference (on the form provided) from the university tutor who knows/knew you best. He/she should send the completed reference direct to the appropriate British Council office.

2.  If you graduated more than a year ago, to request a reference from a recent employer, providing you have worked for that employer for at least 6 months: this reference should be presented on company headed paper and should be sent direct to the appropriate British Council office.

3.  If you are a graduate, to attach an up-to-date CV to each copy of your application form.

4.  To send your application form, and CV (if applicable), with required photocopies, to the British Council office in London or Edinburgh or Belfast according to the location of your permanent address.

PLEASE NOTE

All candidates must present 3 copies of the application form (PDF + Word document), and the photo and signature on each copy must be originals.

Also required are 3 copies (1 original and 2 photocopies) of your university reference and (if applicable) employer’s reference.

If you are a graduate or have had a gap of 2 years or more between school and higher education, you need to attach 3 copies of your CV as well.

If you have an existing medical condition that requires special medication or treatment, you should ask your doctor’s advice before applying. It is not possible to guarantee a placement in an area close to a particular medical facility or at a school able to offer specific support.

If you are applying for China (as 1st choice country), you must provide 3 copies of all your forms plus the following additional documents:

• 3 copies of your degree certificate, or a letter (on headed paper) from your university tutor stating that you are expected to graduate this summer
• 3 copies of a medical certificate from your doctor confirming that you are in good physical and mental health and are able to teach abroad
• 3 copies of the back page of your passport
• 3 copies of your CV.

GENERAL POINTS

You may make only one application per year: duplicate applications for different countries are not accepted. You should apply for one country only and specify 2nd and 3rd choice countries on the same form. If you would like to be transferred to a different country after you have applied, please contact the appropriate British Council office.

You may not apply simultaneously for the Language Assistants programme and the Comenius Assistants programme. Both are run by the British Council.

All 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students at university who are studying a modern foreign language as a main subject or subsidiary, should submit their application via the university's languages department and not directly to the British Council.

If you are an undergraduate you may be eligible for Erasmus status during your assistantship (in an EU country). Please check with your tutor or Year Abroad officer or Erasmus co-ordinator.

The success of your application is conditional on receipt of, amongst other things, a satisfactory reference.

Can you put me in contact with former assistants?

Yes, we usually send out their contact details in the information pack which you would normally receive 4-6 weeks before departure. In the meantime, take a look at some of our case studies.

Link to the online system