Language Assistant Programme

English Language Assistant Scheme

The English Language Assistant (ELA) Scheme operates between Ireland and 5 other European countries:-

Austria France

Germany Italy Spain

The role of the ELA is to help the pupils to see the foreign language as a living language of millions of people rather than as a ‘school’ language. The basic duties of the assistant are:-

· To assist the regular staff of the school either in Austria, Germany, France, Italy or Spain

· To conduct conversation classes in English

· To supplement such classes by exercises in reading, dictation and oral composition

· To give pupils an insight into the way of life in Ireland

The five countries referred to above also select applicants from their own country who want to serve in Irish schools on the same basis as Irish Assistants serve in these countries.

Conditions of the Post of English Language Assistant

The assistant is normally employed for 12 hours per week for one academic year. Outside the stated 12 hours of work the assistant is left free, subject of course to the usual discipline of the school. There is ample opportunity for personal studies. It may sometimes be possible for the timetable to be adjusted so as to allow long weekends or days free for travel or attendance at university or other courses.

*Please be aware that the English Language Assistant Programme is a competitive process and candidates may only apply for a post in one country.

Austria

Austria has something for everyone - from sports fanatics to culture lovers. Working in Austria offers you the chance to live in the gateway to much of central Europe and the Alps. It has masses to offer in terms of winter sports facilities, baroque architecture and classical music.

Terms and conditions

Appointments in Austria are available in secondary and vocational schools. Modern language undergraduates after their second year of study are eligible to apply.

Dates of appointment: 1 October – 31 May
Hours: 13 per week
Salary: €1000 approx.(nett)

Age Limit: Austrian authorities request that applicants are under 30 years old.

Other benefits: full working contract which entitles you to national healthcare

Candidates must hold a current Irish passport.

Appointments are available in Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg and Wien. We recommend that you research different areas of Austria before making your decision to ensure that you pick the areas that suit you most. Wien, Salzburg and Tirol are the most popular first choice regions.

The completed applications should be returned to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St., Dublin 1. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 2nd March 2015.

Induction Course

You will be invited to an Induction Course, which is four days long and will take place one week before the start of the assistantship in either Hinterglemm or Graz.

France

France provides an astonishing variety of landscapes, architecture and food, and the opportunity to integrate into the local community in rural areas or to experience life in one of its many captivating cities.

Terms and conditions

It is a condition of eligibility for selection as a language assistant that the applicant must have successfully completed 2nd year of their bachelor degree. Students in any discipline can apply, as long as they can state a good level of French certified by a university tutor.

Candidates will be requested to supply a certificate of their examination result for each year of their third – level studies.

Appointments are made to:

Primary Schools:

· 7 months starting from 1 October – 30 April

Secondary Schools

· 7 months starting from 1 October – 30 April

Salary: €964.88 (Gross) approx. per month – approx. €794 (after taxes)

Age limits: the French authorities are normally only able to accept candidates between 20 and 35 years of age. (This is strictly adhered to).

The 12-hour timetable can be spread across three to four schools.

Appointments can be anywhere in mainland France as well as Corsica.

You should be aware of the following before making your application:

1. It is extremely difficult to find accommodation in Paris and schools are usually unable to assist. “Please note that the cost of living in Paris is extremely high and there is a difference between Paris and Paris Région.”

2. Posts in the academies (regions) of Aix-Marseille, Montpellier, Toulouse and Bordeaux are often in small towns in rural areas where public transport may be limited.

3. The south of France and Paris are the most popular first-choice regions, so competition is particularly tough.

4. If your reason for choosing an area is that you have contacts and possible accommodation there, you must provide the name of your host and address of the accommodation for us to consider your request.

We recommend you research different regions of France thoroughly before applying.

You will be invited to an induction course arranged by the local education authority in France at the end of September or early October.

Further details can be obtained on the Centre international d’études pédagogiques’ website: www.ciep.fr

The application forms for these posts are already available to download. Applications that are incomplete e.g. have documents missing will not be accepted. Application forms will be available on the website: http://www.ciep.fr/assistantetr/dossiers-de-candidatures/langue-anglaise.pdf
Otherwise, the Embassy's webpage where everything is explained is http://www.ambafrance-ie.org/English-Language-Assistant

The closing date for receipt of completed applications for these posts is Friday 30th January 2015.

4 Completed applications CV included, must be returned to Mr. Christopher Pingeon, Cultural Service, French Embassy, 1 Kildare St. Dublin 2- telephone 01 708 8306,

email: .

We would like to remind you that accepting a position as a language assistant has the worth of commitment, and any cancellation after having accepted the post has to be duly justified.

Germany

From the Bavarian Alps to the lively cities of Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dresden, Berlin, and eastern Germany which host some of the most attractive areas of Europe, there is plenty to experience in Germany.

Terms and conditions

Modern language undergraduates after their second year of study are eligible to apply. They must have a good command of German. Candidates must hold a current Irish passport.

Appointments are in secondary and comprehensive schools.

Dates of appointment: 1 September – 31 May

Hours: 12 per week

Salary: €800 per month (nett)

Age limits: the German authorities are normally only able to consider candidates not older than 29 years.

You should be aware of the following before making your application:-

1. Homeland address is the address where you can be reached during holiday periods, fill in the dates that this applies

2. Term address is the address where you can be reached during college terms.

3. Family Status - single/married/divorced

4. Confession = Religious status

5. Generally you must be flexible and ready to accept the offered appointment. Placements in university towns are in very high demand. It is best to indicate three regions of the 16 regions as your preferred options.

6. If you have a strong desire to be placed in a certain area please complete (in German) your reasons e.g. accommodation, studies etc.,

7. Please sign your name on the back of each passport photo before affixing to the form.

8. You must attach to your application form a) detailed C.V. b) detailed explanation of the reason you wish to be considered for the post, these should be completed in German and in English.

9. The confidential attestation forms are to be completed by your German tutors and returned directly to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St., Dublin 1.

10. You must also complete one copy of the English Language Assistant in Germany 2014 form;

11. Both the German & English application should be submitted to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills before the closing date for receipt of completed applications is: - Monday 2nd March, 2015.

We recommend you research possible destinations in Germany before submitting your application for consideration.

Federal Republic of Germany.

BW = Baden-Württemberg NI = Niedersachsen

BY = Bayern NW = Nordrhein-Westfalen

BE = Berlin RP = Rheinland-Pfalz

BB = Brandenburg SL = Saarland

HB = Bremen SN = Sachsen

HH = Hamburg ST = Sachsen-Anhalt

HE = Hessen SH = Schleswig-Holstein

MV = Mecklenburg-Vorpommern TH = Thüringen

Italy

The rich diversity of cultural heritage, scenic beauty and state of the art modern cities makes Italy a fascinating place to spend a year.

Terms and conditions

Appointments are in secondary schools across the country. Undergraduates who are studying Italian at a university/third level institution of education and have completed two years of third level studies are eligible to apply.

Dates of appointment: 1 October – 31 May

Hours: 12 per week

Salary: €850 approx per month (nett)

Age and passport requirements: the Italian Ministry of Education are normally only able to consider candidates under the age of 30 who hold an Irish passport.

The posts are not always in the same locations every year, so you should be as flexible as possible. It is helpful if you can indicate whether you prefer a post in northern or southern Italy.

We recommend you research possible destinations in Italy thoroughly before applying.

Spain

1.Why should I choose Spain?

Spain has a fascinating history and culture making it one of the most interesting and exciting places to spend a year. Its geography is amongst the most diverse in Europe – beaches, mountains, national parks and plains all within a short distance of each other.

2.What are the terms and conditions?

There are 70 TO 80 POSTS approximately in primary schools, secondary schools and state language schools. Due to a massive increase in the number of posts available, this is a great opportunity to improve your knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish culture, as well as to test your abilities as a would-be-teacher.

As dates, hours and therefore salary, can vary slightly in the different comunidades autónomas, we advise you to check precise conditions as soon as you are allocated a post.

Dates of appointment: 1 October – 31 May.

Hours: 12 per week, with possible additional hours, particularly for those assigned to primary schools.

Salary: approx. €700 per month.

Entitlement to national healthcare.

Age and passport requirements: There is no age limit, candidates must have completed at least one year of higher education and hold an Irish passport.

3. What are the assistants´duties?

The role of the ELA is to help the pupils to see the foreign language as a living language of millions of people rather than as a ‘school’ language. The basic duties of the assistant are:

· To assist the regular staff of the school.

· To conduct conversation classes in the foreign language.

· To supplement such classes by exercises in reading and oral composition.

· To give pupils an insight into the way of life in his/her country.

Assistants may also be asked to participate in extra-curricular activities such as workshops, field trips, music and theatre performances, or sports events.

4.Where can I go in Spain?

Even though there are posts available in all the Spanish Autonomias (autonomous regions), including Ceuta, Melilla and the Islas (the Canary and Balearic Islands), Efforts will be made to meet the applicants’ preferences, but none of their choices can be guaranteed. Here is a website which assistants may find interesting about

http://www.educacion.es/dctm/ministerio/educacion/actividad-internacional/convocatorias-de-trabajo-y-formacion/para-extranjeros/aacc-extranjeros-2009/destinoseng.pdf?documentId=0901e72b8008f640

5. Will there be an induction course?

You will be invited to a one/two-day induction course in late September or beginning of October. This course will inform you on all the administration procedures required for living in Spain and will offer ideas to be used in the classroom. It also allows plenty of time to meet up with other assistants. For further information, please, check out: http://www.mecd.gob.es/servicios-al-ciudadano-mecd/catalogo-servicios/profesores/convocatorias/extranjeros/auxiliares-conversacion-extranjeros-espana.html

6.Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 2nd March, 2015.

Completed application forms must be returned to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St., Dublin 1.