UK 2026 Assistant Director of Studies London

EFL Assistant Director of Studies (ADoS) Job Description

Job Type: Residential, Full-Time

Reports to: Director of Studies

Country: United Kingdom

Location: London, King’s, London Uxbridge, Reading, Guildford, Worcester, Dover, Oxford, Edinburgh

DATES: June 27th to July 30th 2026

Possibility of extension in some centres

MISSION STATEMENT

Move Language Ahead is committed to providing industry leading safe, educational, and cultural programmes to students from around the world. Students, families, and agents from around the world have chosen MLA for the quality of our language courses, for the established trust of our brand, and for the meticulous attention to detail in our packages.

MLA WELFARE AND SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. 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, Preventing Sexual Harassment 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 includes all meals and accommodation.

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 EFL lessons promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the MLA Safeguarding Policy. 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 a UK passport/right to work in the UK, and a valid DBS (England & Wales) or PVG (Scotland). If you’re based outside the UK, also a Criminal Record Check from your country of residence.
• Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references.
• EFL experience teaching teenagers.
• Be proficient in the use of IT.
• DELTA / Trinity DipTESOL / MA TESOL completed (or in progress if you have a TEFL Level 5 certificate).
• PGCE/ PGCE PCET: Post Graduate Certificate in Education with ELT/TESOL PGCE in English/ Foreign Languages or DELTM plus a TEFL Level 5 certificate (CELTA / Trinity CertTESOL or equivalent Ofqual recognised standards).
• Master’s degrees (MA/MSc etc) in ELT/TESOL or related subjects are also accepted but cannot be considered without a supervised teaching practice component.

• EFL Summer School Teaching/Managerial experience in the UK.
• Teacher Management experience.
• Teacher Training experience.
• Enhanced DBS/PVG registered on the Update Service.
• First Aid Qualification.

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 teaching and learning.
• Be determined, extremely well-organised and hard-working.
• Ability to work accurately and calmly, and show resilience when under pressure.
• Be supportive and help teachers 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.

SCHEDULE

Residential ADoS contracts a 6-day week with one 24-hour period off per week are based on up to 42 working hours over a 7-day session with one day off per week. You will not be required to go on excursions, join activities or any pastoral care outside your duties. However, MLA programmes are hard work, and you might be requested to assist outside your working hours to ensure the smooth running of the centre. Please note that due to the logistics of the employment, you may be required to be moved to another centre where extra staff are required, in which case we will cover all the travel expenses that may be incurred.

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.

• Support the DoS in leading and managing all EFL 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.

• 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.
• Complete all required pre-employment training.
• Attend the in-person induction training and take an active part in discussions.
• Read and understand MLA policies sent during the recruitment process.
• Read, understand and adhere to the guidelines set out in your Handbook.
• Be open to feedback during appraisals and set your own developmental goals for you to work on during your time with MLA.
• Request guidance on and actively seek professional development to improve your skills.

• 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.

• Develop a good business relationship with the college/university.
• Support the Centre Director/Academic Manager to ensure grievance and disciplinary procedures are adhered to.
• Provide support for all direct reports and subordinates when necessary.
• Use company-provided communication channels for all business correspondences including company email and phone.
• Develop and maintain open lines of communication with Group Leaders.
• Support the MLA Academic Team at other centres when required.

• 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.

• 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

From GBP 560 to GBP 575 per week, plus 12.07% holiday (GBP 627 to GBP 644 per week). 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. Regular CPD sessions on a range of young learner topics.

*Returning staff will receive a bonus of GBP 150 after completing their full contract. *Please note that due to the logistics of the employment, you may be required to move to another centre where extra staff are required. Only in this case will we cover all the travel expenses that may be incurred.

MLA REPUTATION & CODE OF CONDUCT

• MLA Staff 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.
• Comply with management requests to follow the guidelines of external organisations such as British Council in a timely and accurate manner.
• 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.

MLA EQUALITY STATEMENT

MLA Move Language Ahead is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, marital status, being pregnant or on maternity leave, race (including ethnic or national origin, nationality and colour), disability, sexual orientation or expression, religion, beliefs, or any other non-job-related criteria.