New scheme helps unemployed graduates train as English teachers overseas
03 March 2011
The British Council has launched a new scheme that will support unemployed graduates to become English teachers overseas and encourage young people from across the UK to apply for the grants.
The English 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, will subsidise 100 young people during 2011 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 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 will be given to graduates who are not currently in employment and who finished their degree within the last two years.
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 unemployed 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 also with access to job placements 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 to this 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.
For any questions from potential applicants, please email opportunity@britishcouncil.org
For enquiries from journalists only, please contact Mark Moulding in the British Council Press Office on +44 (0) 207 389 4889 or mark.moulding@britishcouncil.org
Notes to Editors
The British Council is providing grants to 100 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 two-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 work in over 100 countries worldwide to build opportunity and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. We work in the Arts, English, Education and Society, including science and sport - and in the process contribute to the security and prosperity of the UK and the countries where we work. Last year we engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Our total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.50 from other sources. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org
