£12.54 per hour + £1.51 holiday pay
Advertising End Date
06 Jun 2025

Role & Department Overview

The English Language Assistants work with the EAP (English for Academic Purposes) Learning Developers to provide English language development opportunities to students across the university. Students with English as an additional language can access a range of provision including short courses, one-to-ones, discussion groups and more. EAP learning development is based in the supported learning area in the library, with some provision also offered online.
English Language Assistants support some of these language development sessions, particularly those focused on spoken language development. Primarily, they contribute to the discussion groups - friendly, informal, conversation-based sessions that run up to three times a week in Terms 1 and 2, and once a week in Term 3. We may also ask them to work with some students on a one-to-one basis to provide additional conversation practice. Other activities they are involved with include Welcome Week induction events and some social 'tea and chat' events.
 
Preferred start date: 22nd of September 2025
 
Expected end date: 26th of June 2026
 
Weekly hours: 2-4 hours per week
 
Location: On the Lancaster University campus

Job Description

The English Language Assistants support the discussion group scheme through facilitating discussion activities in small groups, helping to establish an inclusive, friendly and supportive environment where students can develop confidence and fluency in spoken English and can make connections with others. They support Welcome Week activities, sharing their experience and perspectives on study with new international students, and helping establish a sense of community.
 
ELAs are required to:
 
  • Attend approx. 3 hours of training in late September/early October and other training as required for supporting activities throughout the year
  • Support Welcome Week activities run by the EAP learning developers: an 'Orientation to UK Study' session, and 'English language tea and chat'
  • Support the discussion group scheme: work up to 3 hours per week supporting discussion groups under the direction of an EAP learning developer who leads the sessions (materials, guidance and training will be provided)
  • Attend regular meetings for debriefing and reflection
  • Provide additional 1-1 conversation practice for students where relevant

Person Specification

Essential: 
 
  • Final year undergraduate student in academic year 2025-26
  • A good academic track record and a high standard of spoken English
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Reliable and approachable
  • Able to demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of students with English as an additional language
  • A reflective approach, with an interest in personal and professional development
  • Willingness to take direction and work within the guidelines of the scheme
Working in this role will help develop the following skills and experience:
 
  • Teamwork
  • Verbal communication
  • Interpersonal sensitivity
  • Knowledge Sharing
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Curiosity
  • Collaboration
Please contact Dr Helen Hargreaves with any queries using the following email: [email protected]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You are required to submit a cover letter to support your application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Click here for help with your cover letter.

Please note: Unless specified otherwise in the advert wording, this role is only open to individuals living in the UK.

Under the terms of this work, we endeavour to provide the advertised number of hours however, hours are not guaranteed and that work may cease if there is a fall in demand. 

Adverts that display a closing date should be treated as a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
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Help and advice on making applications can be found on the Lancaster University Careers pages. Visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/careers.

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