Language/Culture Courses

Language and Culture: Overview

There are numerous opportunities for those who enjoy working with different languages and cultures.

English language teachers are always in demand abroad and many positions can be available through various voluntary programmes.

There is a demand for languages such as German, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish across the UK.

Expected Salary

Range of typical starting salaries: £15,000 - £23,000

Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience: £24,000 - £38,800

The rate for part-time lecturing is likely to be in the range of £16.50 to £32 per hour.

Average Starting Salaries by Location:

£15,000 to £23,000 for jobs outside London

£18,000 to £25,000 in London

£24,000 - 38,000+ once further experience and training has been acquired.

Training

There is growth in courses offering more classroom-based training. In-service training, which can vary from one-day events to full post-qualification and postgraduate programmes, is important. This may be provided by training organisation and local education authorities or by colleges and universities.

Further information on qualifications and training are listed on Underoak Website

Underoak lists many short courses to aid you in your career progression. These may be funded individually or through your company (please check the prices with the trainer, as sometimes they often offer a lower price for self funded training). To search these courses, simply type the relevant key words and click on 'request further information' to send your enquiry direct to the trainer.

Related Careers

• English as a foreign Language Teacher
• Cultural advisor
• Further Education Lecturer
• Higher Education Lecture
• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Special Educational Needs Teacher

Core Skills

Although the career is open to all graduates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• English or a language degree
• Teacher training

Posts in schools normally require qualified teacher status (QTS). A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

All new teachers are required to register with the Institute for Learning (IFL) (the professional body for teachers and trainers in the learning and skills sector). In order to teach English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), you will need:

• A full teaching qualification - for example the Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Long Sector (DTLLS), a PGCE or a Certificate in Education
• A subject specialist qualification in ESOL at level 4/5 (the majority are at level 5).

Specific skills which may be required include:

• A strong interest in multicultural issues
• Sensitivity
• Tolerance
• Approachability, as you may act as a link between the student and society at large
• Patience
• A sense of humour

Job Sites

TES Jobs

The Guardian

Job in Education

Average working hours per week

Spotlight

English as a Second Language Teacher

The Role
Teachers of English as a second language work with adults and children whose first language is not English, and who live (or are seeking to live) on a long-term or permanent basis in the UK. They work in a range of locations to help learners develop linguistic and cultural competence to participate fully in British education, work and cultural environments.

ESL and E2L are common abbreviations for English as a second language. The abbreviation EAL (English as an additional language) is current in schools, as is ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) within adult education.

Tasks may include:

• Planning, preparing and delivering lessons and workshops for groups and individuals
• Designing and producing teaching materials and adapting existing materials
• Carrying out assessments of students' needs
• Planning schemes of work
• Assessing students' progress
• Keeping records
• Attending team meetings
• Attending and contributing to training sessions
• Providing mainstream language support
• Collaborating with class and subject teachers
• Cooperating with bilingual classroom assistants
• Advising colleagues
• Facilitating home/school liaison
• Preparing information for inspection visits and other quality assurance exercises
• Helping to draft and review institutional policies relating to the education of students with English as a second or additional language
• Engaging in continuing professional development (CPD)
• Assisting in bidding for project funding

Salary:

£15,000 - £23,000 dependent upon sector and location

Career Development

The first goal of many language tutors is to secure a permanent full-time or fractional contract; as part-time and temporary contracts are so common, this can take some years. Once gained experience there may be the opportunity to advance to a team leader's role, which involves activities such as the coordination of the work of a multicultural team and contribution to strategic development. Furthermore there are options to be self employed.

As some posts are reliant on external, short-term funding, they are sometimes available to qualified and experienced teachers and lecturers as secondments.