Lead Teacher of English

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

The Bogotá Teaching Centre delivers a wide range of English language courses to adults and young learners. Teaching takes place at our main centre in Bogotá, in partner institutions across the city, and in a variety of public and private institutions. We have ambitious growth plans for the coming years and aim to expand our reach into new areas of the city through partnerships, offering programmes for learners of all age groups.

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Lead Teacher of English to deliver a high-quality, engaging, and rewarding learning experience to a diverse range of learners. The Lead Teacher of English will contribute to strengthening the organisation’s reputation as a global authority in English language teaching through their professionalism, subject expertise, and dedication to quality. They will also be expected to actively engage in ongoing professional development, continuously refining their teaching practice and contributing to a culture of collaboration by sharing knowledge and best practices with colleagues.

This role is central to ensuring that students are supported in developing their English language skills through stimulating lessons that inspire confidence and progress. It offers the opportunity to be part of a broader mission that supports cultural relations and educational excellence, allowing you to make a meaningful impact both inside and outside the classroom.

Role Accountabilities

• A key part of the role is monitoring student progress and providing regular, constructive feedback to support performance and encourage learner autonomy.
• You will actively engage in professional development and performance management to maintain high standards and contribute to continued excellence in teaching.
• The successful candidate will be committed to excellence in English language teaching, maintaining high standards and creating an inclusive, effective learning environment.
• You will support learner development by adapting teaching to individual needs while ensuring lessons remain engaging, interactive, and focused on outcomes.
• In addition to teaching, you will contribute to the wider academic life of the centre.
• More experienced teachers may support colleagues through observations, feedback, mentoring, or by leading areas such as teacher development, projects, or academic planning, alongside their teaching responsibilities.
• You will support teaching centre activities by contributing to course development, attending meetings, and working collaboratively to improve courses, materials, and services.
• You will also assist with marketing initiatives, communicate effectively with students, and deliver a high standard of customer service while completing administrative tasks professionally.
• Building strong relationships with students and colleagues is essential, alongside promoting cultural understanding and creating opportunities for learners to engage with UK culture and values both in and beyond the classroom.
• You will be expected to follow all organisational policies, ensuring compliance with safeguarding, data protection, equality, diversity and inclusion, special educational needs and disability, and health and safety standards at all times.

Qualifications & Experience

• Essential
• Language proficiency: Near-native English; CEFR C2 / IELTS Academic 8.0+ in all four skills
• Education: University degree or equivalent
• Specialism where appropriate e.g. YL qualification: TYLEC (or equivalent), PGCE/BEd in Primary or relevant subject.
• Relevant MA/post graduate qualification
• Recognised diploma in EFL i.e. DELTA/ Trinity Diploma (TEFLq) or equivalent
• Cambridge CELTA/Trinity Certificate TESOL (TEFLi) or equivalent
• 4 years post-certificate experience (TEFLi) (and/or equivalent to 2,400 hours)
• Experience in teaching relevant age groups to be specified by the centre:
• Early Years aged 2 to 5 (400+ hours)
• Primary aged 6 to 10 (400+ hours)
• Lower Secondary aged 11 to 14 (800+ hours)
• Upper Secondary aged 15 to 17 (400+ hours)
• University/Vocational students aged 18 to 25 (400+ hours)
• Adults General English 18+ (800+ hours)

Important Information

• Location: the position is based in Bogota. The teacher will be required to work from our 2 centres and partnership institutions
• Contract Hours: 35 contracted hours, inclusive of 25 hours of teaching, Tuesday to Saturday. Classes are offered from 07:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 08:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays. This role requires mornings and/or evenings, and Saturday work. Every effort is made to reduce split shifts.
• Contract Type: this is a permanent, full-time position
• Salary: 7,500,000.00 - 9,000,000.00 COP per month, based on qualifications and experience
• Benefits: 35 annual leave plus public holidays, British Council assumes 100% of costs of social security (Pensions and EPS), Health Insurance scheme (spouse and dependant coverage), trainings supporting your further development offered by the British Council. Overseas relocation package available for the eligible candidates.
• Right to Work: The candidates must have legal right to live and work in Colombia.
• Background Screening: all successful candidates are obliged to undergo comprehensive background screening
• Closing Date: 9th June 2026

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.