|
|
 |
|
|
Frequently asked questions |
|
|
As a Foreign Language Assistant (FLA) you will usually be working in a secondary school either assisting the language teacher with the language classes or teaching small groups on your own. Your role will be to improve your students' confidence in communicating in your language and help classes to become more interactive and fun by discussing contemporary aspects of youth culture in your country such as current affairs, education, sport, fashion, films, TV, lifestyles and celebrations. You will do this by planning activities and games and using photos, travel guides and maps as well as texts from newspapers or the Internet.
At the same time, you will improve your language skills, learn how to become a more effective communicator and experience living and working in the UK.
We have a small number of posts in primary schools, sixth-form colleges and of further and higher education.
Find out more about the different education systems in the UK.
 |
|
What will the job be like? |
|
|
Although the role of the assistant is fairly standard, your experience will differ to other assistants depending on the type of school you will be working in, the teachers, the students' backgrounds, and the local area. If you are enthusiastic, keen and have lots of different ideas for activities and lessons, you are likely to make the most of your experience. |
|
|
|
What is the UK like to live in? |
|
|
The UK is a very diverse country. Most cities have a multicultural population and a lot of people do not have English as a first language. Cities are usually lively with a lot to do, but are expensive to live in and can be impersonal at times. Smaller towns are cheaper to live in and often easier to make friends in. You should think carefully about the kind of environment that suits you best whilst making your regional preferences. The UK is quite densely populated, so even if you are a small town, you can usually reach a larger place quite easily, except in areas such as Cumbria and northern Scotland. |
|
|
|
Who will I be working with? |
|
|
You will be assigned to a mentor teacher who will probably be a teacher in the modern language department. However, you are likely to work with other teachers who teach your subject as well. Teachers in the UK tend to be very busy and don't always have a lot of time to chat between lessons, but if you make the effort, it is usually easy to make friends in school. |
|
|
|
Will I work in more than one school? |
|
|
Possibly. You allowance will not be paid by the British Council or the UK government, but by the school itself or the local education office responsible for that area. Therefore, schools who cannot afford to pay for your full 12 hours salary are likely to share you with a partner school. Some secondary schools may send you to work at a local primary school for a couple of hours a week. |
|
|
|
What are the conditions like in schools in the UK? |
|
|
Conditions vary from school to school and place to place. For example, if you work in two schools, you may find one easier to work in than another for a number of reasons. A lot of schools in inner city areas may have more students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds whose first language is not English. Some schools have more discipline problems than others, so it is impossible to generalise. It will depend on the teachers and students you will be working with. You will almost certainly teach some classes with the teacher together and take some small groups of your own. You are not responsible for overall discipline, but it is a good idea for you to try to command respect from your students, whilst trying to be friendly at the same time |
|
|
|
What will the students' level of ability be like? |
|
|
Again, it is impossible to generalise, but the situation regarding foreign language learning is not the same in the UK as that of English in other countries. English is, in a sense, a world language and it would be more appropriate to compare to the teaching of the second foreign language (after English) in your country to the teaching of foreign languages in the UK. You should probably not assume that their level is the same as the level of English of students in your country. However, some schools have strong language departments and there are around 190 specialist language colleges in England. Some schools employ their assistants to help the most able students prepare for A-level or Higher exams, prior to university; others employ assistants to help prepare for the GCSE or S Grade oral exams. Your role will be to make language learning more interactive and fun, whatever level(s) you end up teaching and to build your students' confidence in communicating in your language.
The British Council provides online lessons and advice on the FLAs Online website which will go live in late September.
|
|
|
|
What is the climate like? |
|
|
The climate is fairly similar from place to place within the UK, but northern areas tend to be a few degrees colder than southern areas. You will be here during the autumn and winter months when it is coldest. Temperatures may dip below 0°C during the winter, especially in northern England and Scotland, but as high as 20°C towards the end of your time here. If you are not sure about which clothes to bring, check with your school once you are in direct contact with them. You can check current temperatures on the BBC Weather website at: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/ |
|
|
|
Is the allowance enough to survive on? |
|
|
The UK is fairly expensive compared to most European countries, but the allowance is quite generous for the number of hours (usually 12 per week). There are additional allowances for London, but living in London is still very expensive. Rent varies depending on the size of the town/city and the standard of the accommodation. You may be able to supplement your income by giving private lessons or doing a part-time job as long as these do not affect your working hours in school. If you are not from an EU country, you can only work extra hours if you are working in a school and teaching. You should make sure that you bring enough money to live on until you receive your first payment, which should be at the end of the first month. |
|
|
|
What is the situation regarding accommodation? |
|
|
The best thing to do is ask your school once you are in direct contact. They can often help you or let you stay with a teacher whilst you find your own. It is not usually difficult to find accommodation, especially if you rent a room in a shared house. This can be done by looking online, in local newspapers, in libraries, in shop windows or by asking around. However, please understand that finding accommodation is ultimately your own responsibility.
The type of accommodation will vary. If you live in a house with a family or rent someone's room while they are away for a few months, you will probably not have to provide your own bedding and kitchen cutlery, pots and pans. However, if you rent a room in a shared house with students, workers or other language assistants, you will probably have to provide your own. It is best to check this before you move in.
|
|
|
|
Will I get the chance to travel? |
|
|
Yes. You will only be working for 12 hours and you will have two one-week half term holidays as well as two weeks holiday at Christmas and Easter. The VisitBritain website can provide you with useful advice on what to see and do during your time here. |
|
|
|
