Spanish Assistant
Modern Languages at Lancing
The Modern Languages department at Lancing College has eight members, three of whom teach French, two German, three Spanish, one Russian and one EAL. In addition, there is a part-time native-speaker teacher of Mandarin and three native-speaker assistants for German, French and Spanish. The Head of German is also the Head of the overall Modern Languages Department and reports to the Deputy Head. In addition, there are separate heads for Spanish and French, who report to the Head of Modern Languages.
The classrooms are situated in the Modern Languages corridor and are modern, well-equipped rooms. All classrooms are equipped with projection facilities, interactive whiteboards, and computers with access to the College network and the internet. All classrooms are on the College’s wireless network, and all pupils bring their own devices. IT suites and the Gwynne Library are in easy access of the rooms. The individual departments are well stocked with teaching and learning resources, and the Library has become a central resource for the teaching of Modern Languages, with foreign books, magazines, and films. All pupils are encouraged to use IT in their work, which is displayed both in the classrooms and in the corridors.
French, German, Spanish, Russian and Chinese (Mandarin) are taught in the department. Pupils are entered for the AQA GCSE exams and A Level exams.
In the Third Form (Year 9) pupils choose two languages from French, Spanish, German, and Latin. After the Third Form year pupils must choose at least one modern language to GCSE. All the languages achieve high success rates at GCSE, with regular 100% pass rates at GCSE grades 4-9.
In French we use the Studio series of textbooks in the Third Form, followed by the AQA GCSE French book. Both GCSE and A Level courses are supported by dedicated websites. Around 10-15 pupils continue with French in the Sixth Form. The French Department offers trips and study visits to both senior and upper school pupils.
Spanish is taught at all levels throughout the College. At present, there are three members in the Department plus a Spanish Assistant. Spanish is introduced to a little over half the annual intake of new pupils in Year 9. 40+ pupils are taught in three sets in the 3rd Form and most usually decide to continue with the language for two more years to GCSE. In the Sixth Form, about 10 pupils opt to take Spanish for A Level. In Years 9-11, the course currently followed is Claro and AQA GCSE book. We use AQA in the Sixth Form.
Spanish Department run annual trips to Malaga at the end of the academic year.
The course books used by the German department are Echt in the Third Form and AQA for the other two years. In recent years, the German department has achieved excellent results at GCSE, with a very high percentage of 8/9 grades. A small number of pupils choose to continue with German to A Level following AQA course. The results at A Level are outstanding with a consistently high A*-B average. There is a long-standing German exchange for Years 9-11 with a grammar school in Detmold near Hanover, which also contains a study-trip element to Berlin. About 15 pupils per year take part in the exchange.
Russian and Chinese are offered as additional languages as part of a wider co-curricular programme.
A significant number of Lancing pupils continue with some form of language study in higher education.
The Appointment
We welcome applications from candidates with native‑speaker Spanish proficiency and a university education or equivalent experience. Experience in MFL teaching and/or examination board work is highly desirable.
Job Title: Spanish Assistant
Reporting to: Head of Spanish
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
- To lead individual conversation classes with A Level (Upper & Lower Sixth Form) pupils, assisting pupils:
- To become progressively more able to product actively and understand aurally the vocabulary taught in lessons with their class teacher.
- To achieve accurate pronunciation of familiar and new vocabulary.
- To prepare for the A Level speaking examinations (AQA Specification) by giving:
- guidance and assistance with the IRP preparation (Independent Research Project) and photo-cards.
- assistance in learning and using vocabulary in all A Level topics
- assistance with pronunciation and structuring / organising thoughts.
- help students understand different cultures.
- To lead conversations classes with GCSE pupils, in small groups, assisting pupils:
- To become progressively more able to product actively and understand aurally the vocabulary taught in lessons with their class teacher.
- To achieve accurate pronunciation of familiar and new vocabulary.
- To prepare for the GCSE speaking examinations (AQA specification) by giving:
- assistance in achieving accurate pronunciation and fluency.
- practice with the full range of general conversation topic questions.
- To maintain an accurate register of attendance of pupils at all the scheduled conversation sessions.
- To report to the Head of French and to the class teachers, with a regular, brief “progress report” about each pupil.
- To attend examination board feed-back sessions relating to the speaking examinations.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Excellent communication skills.
- Previous experience working as a Language Assistant.
- Knowledge and understanding of GCSE and A Level oral exam with the AQA exam board.
- Flexibility to schedule some oral lessons outside students’ normal timetable after school.
Desirable
- Fluent or near‑native proficiency in spoken Spanish would be advantageous.
This job description sets out the main duties at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary occasionally but without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed, and the candidate will be required to carry out any reasonable requests required by their Line Manager.
Application Procedure:
Applications should be made using the application form. Candidates are asked to add a covering letter setting out, as succinctly as possible, their reasons for applying for the position at Lancing.
Application forms are available from the College website www.lancingcollege.org.uk.
Please send any emails to recruitment@lancing.org.uk
A full curriculum vitae and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of a minimum of two referees, one of whom should be the candidate’s current or most recent employer should be included with the application.
Interviews are expected to take place before the end of May where possible, or in the first two weeks of June, subject to the availability of panel members, so early application is advised.
The College reserves the right to call individuals to interview and appoint prior to the closing date for applications.
Information & Downloads
Location:
Department:
Salary: £30.83 per hour, inclusive of holiday pay
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