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English language assistants abroad

Each year around 100 assistants from Northern Ireland help with the teaching of English in up to 18 countries worldwide.

What does the programme offer?

The programme offers academic year placements in primary or post-primary institutions and occasionally universities and teacher training colleges.

Assistants are expected to help students develop their language acquisition by delivering a range of activities in a fun and informative way. Assistants should be prepared to talk about themselves, where they come from, their family etc and provide classroom materials that cover anything and everything from current affairs to the latest fashion trends or sport.

In return, Assistants benefit from living and working in a different culture, gain an insight into another education system, improve their own linguistic skills etc.

We provide on-going advice and support for all applicants processed through the Belfast office prior to taking up the assistantship and during the time abroad. A three day pre-departure course is held annually in June to help assistants prepare for their placements.

Available opportunities

Opportunities are currently available in a variety of French-speaking, German-speaking, Spanish-speaking countries as well as Italy and China.

For further information, closing dates and how to apply please visit the Language Assistants website.   For enquiries you may also email the Language Assistants Team in Belfast Assistants.Belfast@britishcouncil.org or telephone 0161 957 7755.

Teacher and child reading, Milan - Photographer Mat Wright copytight British Council    

Language Assistants Programme

Further information on becoming an English Language Assistant

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