Period of appointment and costs involved

We have long known the value that language assistants can bring to any classroom, and every year we hear about how much difference a language assistant can make to the learning experience of students across the UK. In 2023-24, 95% of institutions have said that hosting a Modern Language Assistant increased their students’ cultural awareness.

To ensure language and culture can continue to be brought to life in modern language classrooms across the UK, we provide options for the period of appointment which an assistant can be employed for. We value access and have looked at ways to keep providing opportunities in an everchanging world since 1905.

Please find information below on the various options available for hosting assistants. You can read more about the difference between long and short posts at the bottom of the page.

Overview: Periods of appointment options

*For long posts only, host institutions may reasonably offer a longer period of appointment e.g. an additional month during the same academic year. This should be upon mutual agreement between the assistant and their host institution and the dates agreed should be confirmed (included) in the offer letter.

Find out more about salary rates and working hours for Modern Language Assistants.