EFL Assistant Director of Studies - Summer

Assistant Director of Studies (DoS) 

MLA (Move Language Ahead) is an industry leader in providing safe, educational, and cultural holidays to students from around the world. Each year thousands of students travel with MLA as part of our short-term English as a Second Language (ESL) programmes. Along with our proprietary task-based ESL curriculum, we also provide our students with great excursions featuring some of the most popular historical and tourist destinations across the globe. 

 
MLA WELFARE AND SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 
MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal programme. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organisation takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and to uphold their rights. 

MLA staff working with young learners will all go through our safer recruitment process including online or face-to- face interviews, record checks of references and background checks, in line with the country’s regulations, to ensure they are able to work with young people, provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy and Prevent Policy. 
 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

• Responsible for ensuring the planning and delivery of the academic programme 

• Support teachers in their professional development 

• Assist the DoS in ensuring the smooth running of the academic programme 

• Assist the DoS with all admin tasks 

• Represent MLA values 

• Report to Director of Studies 

• 6 days per week (Monday to Saturday) 

• Residential employment available from late June – mid-August  

• Learn more by watching a two-minute video here

The post of Assistant Director of Studies is a senior position, and the successful candidate will be a member of the school’s management structure inspiring the teachers to deliver high-quality, communicative Task-Based ESL lessons. ADoSs should be ready to cover for any absent teachers, as well as support, lead and manage the academic life of the centre with the DoS. Summer centres are very busy places and there may be duties to perform in addition to those detailed here. 
 
REQUIREMENTS 
Essential 

• Must have right to work in the US and the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check is required; the completion of a satisfactory child abuse clearance may also be required 

• Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references 

• ESL or English teaching experience with teenagers  

• Be proficient in the use of IT 

Desirable 

• ESL Summer School Teaching/Managerial experience in the US  

• Teacher Management experience 

• Teacher Training experience  

 
Person Specification 

• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries 

• Display absolute commitment to the highest standards of professional behaviour and, at all times, to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children 

• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal) 

• Be committed to continuous personal and professional development 

• Team player 

• Motivate and inspire teachers sensitively and constructively and, where necessary, challenge colleagues assertively. 

• Self-motivated and passionate about driving up standards in management, teaching and learning 

• Be determined, well-organised and extremely hard-working 

• Ability to work accurately and calmly and show resilience when under pressure. 

• Be supportive and help staff with the use of IT 

• Ability to provide creative ideas to supplement programme curriculum to facilitate learning 

• Be willing and able to contribute to the wider extracurricular and pastoral life of a summer school. 

• Customer orientated approach: highly aware of cultural sensitivities. Communicate clearly and persuasively with Group Leaders and students to ensure procedures are followed. 

• Ready to initiate and manage change, where necessary.  
   

LOCATION

MLA New York  Ramapo College   505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

MLA Los Angeles Pitzer College 1050 N Mills Avenue Claremont, CA 91711

MLA Miami FIU - MCC  11200 SW 8th St  Miami, FL 33199

DATES
June 29, 2024 – August 15, 2024*
*Contract dates may vary to meet the needs of the program

The Residential Director of Studies (DoS) contract involves a 6-day workweek, with one 24-hour period off per week. Classes are typically taught from Tuesday through Sunday, occasionally including Monday, with 90-minute sections. 

Class Schedule: 

• Morning lessons: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 

• Afternoon lessons: 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. 

You will not be required to participate in excursions outside your assigned duties. However, given the demanding nature of MLA programs, you may occasionally be asked to assist outside your standard working hours to ensure the smooth operation of the centre. 

KEY POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES 
 
Assisting the DoS 

• Support the Director of Studies in managing the academic life of the school. 

• Promote and develop the academic curriculum and academic life of the school. 

• Develop and implement MLA’s educational philosophy and foster a culture of best practice. 

• Complete all administrative tasks required efficiently 

• Assist the DoS with timetabling teachers 

• Assist the DoS with centre and classroom set-up 

• Assist the DoS with student admissions and monitor arrangements for speaking placement tests 

• Attend any training sessions or meetings as required. 

• Cover lessons when necessary and motivate students to improve their learning skills 

• Assist the Director of Studies with certificates and graduation ceremony 

• Support the Centre Director and work collaboratively with Centre Administrator and Activity Manager to ensure the successful running of the centre and programme when necessary; including assisting in the staff induction and take an active part in discussion and feedback. 

 

Staff Management 

• Support the DoS in leading and managing all ESL teachers by encouraging, supporting and challenging teachers to maintain MLA’s high academic standards. 

• Monitor teachers prompt completion of all administrative tasks required 

• Ensure teachers prepare lessons and adapt material/stages to their class composition 

• Attend and/or lead academic meetings 

• Monitor staff performance and be the first port of call for any teacher in need of advice or support. 

• Cover for absent staff 

• Record and monitor all absences 

• Supervise the preparation of student reports within agreed deadlines 

 

Training & CPD 

• Assist the Director of Studies with all Continuous Professional Development programmes. 

• Support teachers in delivering the Task-Based learning syllabus 

• Carry out inductions for new teachers 

• If TEFLQ, carry out formal observations and appraisals in line with the MLA observation guidelines and rubric. 

 

Administrative 

• Oversee the allocation of staff in consultation with the Director of Studies 

• Oversee the timetabling of teachers and classroom allocation 

• Monitor live updates of student attendance on the Teacher Zone 

• Provide cover teaching when necessary 

• Supervise the completion of up-to-date teaching records on the Teacher Zone 

 

Equipment and Facilities 

• Maintain and monitor teaching resources and premises. 

• Ensure classrooms are left secure and tidy after use 

• Ensure borrowed equipment has been returned. 

• Help develop, advance and expand teaching resources 

 

Safeguarding & Welfare 

• Promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the MLA Safeguarding Policy 

• Provide safety and welfare assistance to students. 

• Be vigilant for possible welfare problems of students 

• Inform your DoS of any absences from classes immediately 

• Report any issues which may be affecting students’ safety, wellbeing and academic performance 

• Be aware of relevant fire, health and safety issues in the classroom and around the centre 

 
COMPENSATION 
The Assistant Director of Studies position is classified as exempt and will receive a weekly salary commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and experience. This position provides housing and full board.   
   

• Residential rates include full board and lodging 

• Paid training and induction  

• Work as part of a strong team and gain experience  

• Opportunities for professional development e.g., observations, team teaching 

 

MLA REPUTATION & CODE OF CONDUCT 

• Actively support MLA in its mission to provide top quality programmes 

• Provide courses that will support and enable the students to realise their potential and achieve their academic targets 

• Be dressed in a presentable professional way  

• Start on time, if this is not possible you must inform your manager as early as possible 

• Develop a good rapport with the students and Group Leaders and avoid absences as much as possible 

• Follow the code of conduct specifically detailed in your Handbook 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   
Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? No   
Do the essential functions of this job require standing? Yes 
Do the essential functions of this job require walking up stairs? Yes    
Do the essential functions of this job require stretching? No   
Do the essential functions of this job require bending? No 

 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT  
MLA Move Language Ahead is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, Vietnam-era/disabled veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other non-job-related criteria.