UK 2026 Assistant Director of Studies

Mlaworld; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization in the UK seeks an Assistant Director of Studies (ADoS) to manage the academic program, support teacher development, and ensure smooth administration. The role requires a UK passport or the right to work, EFL teaching experience, and relevant qualifications such as DELTA or MA TESOL. This residential role includes meals and accommodation, with a salary ranging from GBP 560 to GBP 575 per week, plus holiday pay.

Benefits

Full board and lodging

Paid training and induction

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have UK passport/right to work in the UK.
• Proven suitability to work with students under 18.
• EFL experience teaching teenagers required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the planning and delivery of the academic programme.
• Support teachers in their professional development.
• Assist with all admin tasks.

Skills

EFL teaching experience

IT proficiency

Excellent communication skills

Team player

Education

DELTA / Trinity DipTESOL / MA TESOL

PGCE/PGCE PCET

Master’s degrees in ELT/TESOL

Job description

Title

Assistant Director of Studies (ADoS)

Job Type

Residential, Full-Time

Reports to

Director of Studies

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 worldwide 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. The MLA formula for a summer centre is a unique blend of many full-day and half-day excursions, an amazing activity programme and specialised language path. In this way we have broken the barriers of the traditional summer language course.

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

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

Desirable

• 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.

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.

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

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.