British Council scheme helps recent UK graduates teach English overseas
28 November 2011
Graduates in the UK have a few days left to apply for the third round of recruitment for the British Council’s scheme to help recent graduates to become English teachers overseas. The deadline for applications is Monday 5 December.
The English Language Teaching Graduate scheme is intended to support UK graduates who are keen to pursue a career in Teaching English as a Foreign Language but who have not yet had the opportunity or do not have the resources to do so.
The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, is subsidising young people to study a one-month Trinity Cert TESOL or Cambridge CELTA course at a UK training centre. This will give them the necessary qualifications to go abroad and work as an English language teacher.
It is hoped this pilot scheme will be expanded in the future to help meet the needs of many other young people who may be struggling to find productive work in the UK or who are looking for new career opportunities. Priority for the 2011 intake is being given to graduates who are not currently in employment and who finished their degree within the last three years.
Katie Sims successfully applied for a grant earlier this year, and is now teaching English in Spain. Katie said: “This bursary was just perfect for me because, being a lowly graduate, I didn’t have much money. The training with the British Council made me feel part of the English language teaching world and many doors seemed to instantly open up. I’m now buzzing with ideas and confidence, and more than ready to manage a classroom.
“I’m living in Pamplona, Spain, and working in a secondary school with 13-16 year olds. You could say they are one of the more challenging groups to teach, but they make me laugh every day with their fun-loving attitudes. I also run conversation clubs at a language school, working with adults. I studied Spanish at university so it has also given me the opportunity to learn more, and experience the lively, passionate Spanish culture. Furthermore, this is just a stepping stone into opportunities further afield - the world really is my oyster now!”
Michael Carrier, Head of English Language Innovation at the British Council said, “In many regions around the world there is a huge and growing demand for English language teaching and a need for quality teachers to meet this. This new scheme will help provide recent graduates with a gateway into an exciting and dynamic career which gives them an insight into other cultures and communities while also helping people around the world to meet their own goals and aspirations.”
The British Council operates a network of more than 48 teaching centres around the world. Being chosen to be part of this scheme will not only provide individuals with the qualifications they need to teach abroad but access job placement from some of the most experienced people in the sector.
After the one-month course students will also be provided with two days of additional training at the British Council which will give them guidance about starting a career as an English teacher overseas.
Michael Carrier said: “The British Council is the worldwide leader in English language teaching having been involved in training and supporting learners and teachers of English for more than 75 years. This opportunity will mean that the graduates of this scheme not only gain a much sought-after qualification but will make them part of a vast network of global English language teachers and experts.”
Anyone interested in applying scheme should visit the website http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/graduate-scheme and submit a short statement outlining why they should be provided with the grant.
If you're interested in applying and have any questions, please email opportunity@britishcouncil.org
For enquiries from journalists only, please contact Mark Moulding in the British Council Press Office on 020 7389 4889 or mark.moulding@britishcouncil.org
Notes to Editors
The British Council is providing grants to recent graduates to take a Trinity Cert TESOL or Cambridge CELTA course at a UK training centre.
Individuals chosen to be part of the scheme will receive funding to cover 50% of the course fee, to be paid on completion of the course.
Interested individuals should visit http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/graduate-scheme where they will need to submit a personal statement explaining why they should be considered for the grant.
Participants will also be required to complete a one-day British Council training course after the completion of the Trinity Cert TESOL or Cambridge CELTA course at offices in either London or Manchester.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide. We work in over 100 countries in the arts, education and English and in 2010/11 we engaged face to face with 30 million people and reached 578 million. We have 6,800 staff worldwide. Our total turnover in 2010/11 was £693 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was £190 million. The remainder was generated through trading activities such as English language teaching. For every £1 of taxpayer money invested we earn £2.65 in additional income. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org
