Language Tutor role profile
Overall job purpose
- Under close supervision, to provide straightforward language teaching to small groups of students.
- (In this context, close supervision means teaching which involves working through a scheme of work, or similarly prescriptive framework, devised and provided by the Department. Straightforward teaching means that the range of issues which may be raised is predictable and constrained by the nature of the materials used.)
Responsibilities
- To provide straightforward language teaching to small groups of students within the framework of a scheme of work*, or similarly prescriptive framework, which is devised, provided and updated by the Department.
- To prepare for courses to be delivered by becoming familiar with the relevant framework(s) provided and discussing the methodologies and purposes of the course with the member of academic staff responsible.
- To plan their own teaching sessions within the framework provided.
- To provide straightforward information and guidance to students, drawing on information made available by those responsible for developing the content and methodology of teaching.
- To help students to understand the material provided, to improve their skills in the language being taught and overcome any problems they encounter in skill acquisition.
- To provide formative feedback to students in class.
- To apply assessment methods (normally in class), which will have been developed and determined by others, where required to mark work submitted by students and provide information on outcomes to other members of staff.
- To contribute to review and forward planning of personal teaching activity under the supervision of the relevant member of staff.
- Where students require more in-depth language support and/or pastoral care, to be responsible for ensuring that the student is directed to an appropriate person for the relevant support/care.
- To undertake, if required, some organisation/administration directly related to the delivery of their own teaching activities.
- To provide information and feedback to other members of the academic and administrative staff to assist in the future planning and development of the activities in which they are engaged.
Line managed by
- A member of the academic staff within the Department/School
Line manager to
Relationships and contacts
- There will be significant contact with students, involving the effective passing on of complex information, and the ability to motivate and enthuse students.
- Contact with other members of academic staff on the content, methodology and effectiveness of their teaching.
- Contact with other staff as appropriate.
Qualifications, skills and experience
- A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
- Native speaker competence and (at least) advanced level formal education in the language to be taught.
- The ability to teach a foreign language to English speaking students and/or the ability to teach English to overseas students.
- A relevant breadth of knowledge and understanding in the language to be taught.
- A relevant language teaching qualification (such as CELTA, the Cambridge English Language Certificate for Teaching to Adults) or its equivalent is normally required.
- An understanding of teaching methods and techniques.
- Where English is being taught to overseas students, knowledge of the language demands of higher education.
- The ability to communicate complex information clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to stimulate and encourage the commitment to learn in others.
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues and students.
- Ability to organise own time effectively, so as to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
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* A scheme of work is a detailed document (used in the Language Centre) which outlines a week by week framework for the teaching of a language at a particular straightforward level. It contains details of expected learning outcomes and teaching materials to be used; the topics, skills and grammar to be covered in each lesson; and details of assessments set.
