Our Foreign Language Assistants (FLA) booklet provides practical advice and guidance to both FLAs and to schools and colleges employing language assistants.
Information for employersHow does the programme work?
Each year Scottish schools host Foreign Language Assistants from up to 19 countries worldwide.
Their role is to help students develop their language skills by delivering a range of activities in an engaging and interactive manner. Through this they also increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it. Foreign Language Assistants usually work with the class teacher and the whole class, or on their own with small groups of students.
In return, assistants have a unique opportunity to live and work in Scotland, gain an insight into the education system and develop their command of the English language.
What are the terms and conditions?
Foreign Language Assistants appointed to Scotland work from 1 September – 31 May (mid-September - 30 June for Chinese Language Assistants). The standard contract is 12 hours per week. Up to 6 extra hours may be worked by mutual agreement (paid additionally). Assistants may be shared between two schools.
The allowance for Foreign Language Assistants for 2011-12 will be £879 gross per month.
How do I apply to be a Foreign Language Assistant in Scotland?
We manage the Foreign Language Assistants programme and facilitate the placement of students to a wide range of primary and secondary schools throughout Scotland. If you would like to apply to be an Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, or Urdu assistant in the UK, you should apply to our partner organisation in your home country. You cannot apply to us directly.
How do I employ a Foreign Language Assistant?
Employing a language assistant can assist greatly in helping to deliver the four capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence. Assistants can also make a very valuable contribution beyond language departments in cross-curricular and interdisciplinary activities.
'Working with a representative of another language and
culture contributes to awareness of the outside
world and helps value differences.'
(Secondary teacher, South Lanarkshire)
Find out more about what is involved in employing a Foreign Language Assistant, and full details on how to apply.
The deadline for Foreign Language Assistant requests is 28 February.
For more information on employing a Foreign Language Assistant please email assistants.edinburgh@britishcouncil.org
Information for currently appointed Foreign Language Assistants
If you're looking for advice and guidance, new teaching materials or would just like to share and discuss your ideas with others, visit our online support website. Or for practical information download our 2011-12 edition of our Foreign Language Assistants booklet (Notes for schools, colleges and language assistants)
Current employers
For advice and guidance download the 2011-12 Foreign Language Assistants booklet (Notes for schools, colleges and language assistants)
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