Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish
Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish

Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish

Portsmouth Full-Time 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support bilingual learners in classrooms, assisting teachers and helping children settle in.
  • Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, a unique organisation dedicated to making a positive impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for personal development and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a diverse and inclusive team.
  • Qualifications: Fluency in English and Spanish, experience with children, and strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: DBS check needed; flexible locations across the city.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

An opportunity has arisen in our team for a Bilingual Learning Assistant who speaks Spanish. This is a busy, sometimes challenging role, perfect for someone who wants to make a difference to children\’s lives and enjoys working as part of a culturally diverse team.

The service

EMAS are a team of Bilingual Learning Assistants, Bilingual Support Officers and Advisers working with the Education team. We work in partnership with schools to meet the needs of bilingual learners and ethnic minority pupils at risk of under-achievement. We support pupils across both primary and secondary age phases, as well as in nursery settings.

The Role

You will provide a support service complementary to teaching activities, primarily through first language or bilingual communication, acting as a classroom assistant and supporting the language and learning needs of pupils, particularly in their access to the national curriculum. You will support the class/subject teacher or EMAS adviser in providing a stress-free \’settling-in\’ period for new entrants, recent arrivals or returnees from extended stays in country of origin. You will assist in monitoring progress and assessing performance, communicate important information to teachers about the child\’s full language repertoire, and assist in the production of bilingual language/curriculum support materials.

The ideal candidate

  • fluency in English and first language
  • good numeracy and literacy skills
  • excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
  • experience of working with children at home and/or in a school setting
  • experience of interpretation and translation (formally or informally)
  • the ability to deal with different situations in a sensitive manner particularly when working with children, families and schools.
  • the ability to support school staff effectively in the classroom
  • an understanding ofthe need for confidentiality in working with children, school staff and parents
  • the ability to promote diversity within the school setting (including religion, culture and language)
  • to remain calm and focussed when working under pressure
  • the willingness to learn and develop additional skills required by the service
  • to be mobile enough to work at locations city wide as required by the service.

Please see the Job profile for the full details and expectations of this role

Additional information:

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Ruth Nabholz-Duncan, Bilingual Assistant Deployment Manager, ruth.nabholz-duncan@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, 023 92 841 549

Interview date: 22nd September 2025

Application process

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.

As part of your application we ask that you complete apersonal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the \’Who is the Person\’points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills.This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion – Careers portal

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

About Portsmouth City Council

What we can offer you:

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal – Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk . or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800

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Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish employer: Medirest Signature

Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can truly make a difference in the lives of children. With a strong commitment to professional development, staff are encouraged to grow their skills while working within a culturally diverse team that values collaboration and community impact. The council offers competitive benefits and prioritises employee well-being, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the education sector.
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Contact Detail:

Medirest Signature Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the national curriculum and how it applies to bilingual learners. Understanding the specific challenges these students face will help you demonstrate your ability to support their learning effectively during the interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported children in a learning environment. Highlight any instances where you used your bilingual skills to bridge communication gaps, as this will showcase your suitability for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Reach out to Ruth Nabholz-Duncan for an informal chat about the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also gives you insights into what the team values most, which can be beneficial for tailoring your approach during the interview.

✨Tip Number 4

Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion by preparing to discuss how you would promote these values within the school setting. Think of specific strategies or activities that could enhance the cultural experience for all students.

We think you need these skills to ace Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish

Bilingual Communication Skills
Fluency in Spanish and English
Interpersonal Skills
Organisational Skills
Experience Working with Children
Interpretation and Translation Skills
Empathy and Sensitivity
Classroom Support Skills
Confidentiality Awareness
Cultural Awareness and Diversity Promotion
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Willingness to Learn and Develop
Numeracy and Literacy Skills
Adaptability to Different Learning Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Bilingual Learning Assistant position. Make notes on how your skills and experiences align with what they are looking for.

Craft Your Personal Statement: This is your chance to shine! Use the personal statement to demonstrate how you meet each requirement listed in the job profile. Provide specific examples from your experience that showcase your fluency in English and Spanish, as well as your ability to work with children.

Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on experiences that relate directly to the role. Mention any previous work with children, interpretation, or translation tasks, and how these experiences have prepared you for this position.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a teaching support role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Medirest Signature

✨Showcase Your Bilingual Skills

Make sure to highlight your fluency in both English and Spanish during the interview. Be prepared to demonstrate your language skills, perhaps by translating a short passage or discussing how you would support bilingual learners in a classroom setting.

✨Share Relevant Experience

Discuss your previous experience working with children, whether in a school or home environment. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've supported their learning needs and how you can apply those experiences in this role.

✨Emphasise Interpersonal Skills

Since this role involves working closely with children, families, and school staff, it's crucial to convey your excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated in challenging situations or built rapport with diverse groups.

✨Demonstrate Cultural Sensitivity

Be prepared to discuss how you promote diversity and inclusivity within a school setting. Share your understanding of different cultures and how you would approach sensitive situations, ensuring that all students feel valued and supported.

Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish
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Location: Portsmouth
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