French Language Assistant

Eastbourne College seeks to appoint a fluent French speaker to help pupils to develop their oral fluency in preparation for public examinations (GCSE and A level). The right person will have a marvellous opportunity to work in a stimulating environment, where resources, buildings, colleagues and pupils all strengthen the process of learning.

The Department

The Modern Languages department is one of the largest and liveliest departments in the school, offering French, German and Spanish to A level and Oxbridge entrance and an accelerated programme for talented linguists. Our academic results are strong at GCSE and A level. The department, comprising 11 teachers and 3 language assistants, is housed in the Memorial Block, with a modern digital language laboratory situated in Cloisters. All classrooms have electronic whiteboards / touchscreens and audio and video facilities.

The majority of pupils entering Year 9 study French and are given the opportunity to choose Spanish or German as an additional foreign language as described above. For those who wish to study a language outside of the main curriculum, we offer self-study courses in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, French, German and Spanish. We offer a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom, ranging from quiz, film and cultural evenings to visits to universities and the London institutes and trips abroad, including exchange visits.

Responsibilities

a) To support the teaching of French at all levels by helping pupils to develop their oral fluency

b) To have a clear understanding of the requirements of each speaking examination, with appropriate guidance from the Head of Modern Languages

c) To help pupils to prepare for the speaking test at GCSE by taking small groups out of lessons for oral practice

d) To help A level pupils, either individually or in pairs, to prepare for the speaking part of public examinations

e) To monitor attendance at oral classes, reporting absences to the Head of Modern Languages 

f) To feed back into the reporting process by providing comments of pupils’ progress, attitude and effort

g) To help native speakers of French prepare for public examinations (GCSE and A level)

h) To provide extra support for pupils who might be struggling in French as directed by the Head of Modern Languages

i) To support teaching of French by finding and collating interesting authentic language resources

j) To be willing to support the French cultural evenings and events and accompany teachers on trips where appropriate.

k) The post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Statement at all times.

l) If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or, if he/she is the School’s DSL, to the Headmaster and relevant agencies.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Educated to good degree standard (or equivalent) in French or a closely related discipline

• Knowledge of current affairs linked to French-speaking countries

• Native-level fluency in French

• Excellent written skills in French

• Excellent knowledge of French Grammar

• The ability to encourage pupils and develop confidence

• Organised and able to prioritise workload

• Interested in French language, history, culture and literature

• Flexible

• An inclusive manner and the ability to work in a team

This is a fixed-term contract for the period 13 September 2021 to 13 May 2022.

Applicants must have a UK passport, EU settlement rights, or the right to work in the UK (e.g. ancestry visa).

Salary: £7,312 for the period of the fixed-term contract (based on the British Council salary scale for Language Assistants which is currently £914.05 per month).

You will be expected to work during term time only and normally for 12 hours per week. The number of hours / lessons is to be reviewed each academic term in line with pupil requirements and by agreement with the Head of Modern Languages.

Accommodation is available.

Eastbourne College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory medical disclosure, an enhanced criminal record check (DBS) and any other pre-employment checks deemed necessary by the College.

Eastbourne College Incorporated is committed to the provision of equal opportunities in employment and accordingly wishes to ensure that no job applicant is treated less favourably on unjustifiable grounds.