UK 2026 Assistant Director of Studies Oxford

EFL Assistant Director of Studies (ADoS) 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.

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.

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.
• 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.

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.
• Complete all administrative tasks required efficiently.
• Attend any training sessions or meetings as required.
• Cover lessons when necessary and motivate students to improve their learning skills.
• 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.

• 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.
• Attend and/or lead academic meetings.
• Cover for absent staff.

• 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.

• Oversee the allocation of staff in consultation with the Director of Studies.
• Monitor live updates of student attendance 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.

• Maintain and monitor teaching resources and premises.
• Ensure classrooms are left secure and tidy after use.

• Promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the MLA Safeguarding Policy.
• Provide safety and welfare assistance to students.

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

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, disability, sexual orientation or expression, religion, beliefs, or any other non-job-related criteria.