Language Assistants – French and Spanish
Location: Godalming, Surrey
Salary: Competitive
Vacancy Type: This is a one-year post with the potential to extend to a maximum of two years upon review.
Language Assistants are responsible, through their Head of Department (Head of individual language and Head of Modern Languages) to the Deputy Head (Academic) or Assistant Head (Academic), in turn to the Head for the academic performance, organisation and administration of the teaching to pupils according to a set timetable and curriculum, in addition to the general responsibilities of a teacher within a boarding school environment. Integral to this is the need to promote the values of Charterhouse in order that pupils acquire the values, attitudes, skills and knowledge needed to make a positive contribution to society.
- This post is for a minimum of 26 hours of work per week. Normal working hours are term time Monday to Saturday (Mon-Fri from 8.30 am to 4.30pm and, depending on the timetable, on Sat from 8.30 to 1.00pm with a half hour lunch break).
- Teaching small groups of pupils (mainly Sixth Formers) to select, research and prepare appropriate topics for speaking exams in the required foreign language (general discussions, role play, debates, analysis of newspaper/internet articles, helping pupils to prepare short presentations in the required foreign language, helping pupils to prepare their chosen oral examination topic).
- Teaching a small group of Year 9 native speakers (when applicable)
- Teaching speaking skills to ensure impressive levels of vocabulary, accurate grammar, correct pronunciation and intonation, leading to high levels of fluency, spontaneity and confidence.
- Helping Sixth Form pupils with essay preparation when required: topical issues, helping with structure and vocabulary/idiom, preparing lists of useful phrases.
- With Under School pupils (Year 9-11), practising conversation/role plays for the GCSE oral examination.
- Developing appropriate teaching resources for all classes taught (select, record, and collate appropriate listening and reading resources from newspapers, magazines, and the Internet.
- Reporting to and liaising with the Head of Language to ensure that appropriate resources are chosen. ▪ Assessing pupil progress in accordance with departmental and school policies, and liaising with the Head of Department, teachers and tutors to ensure that pupil progression is carefully monitored.
- Promoting the required foreign language and ML via vibrant displays in teaching rooms, and by contributing to or promoting extra-curricular activities such as themed speaker meetings, clubs/society, weekly debating and book/cinema clubs as well as helping with both foreign language plays and annual debating competitions.
- Attending and contributing to departmental meetings.
- Meeting the needs of students with Special Educational Needs as well as offering guidance to gifted and talented pupils.
Profile of Candidate
Experience:
- Native speaker of the required culture/language and interest in current affairs of the relevant foreign societies.
- Some awareness of the GCSE and A-level curriculum (and ideally the IBDP) in the relevant language.
- Some awareness of differentiated teaching to take account of varying ability levels, prior knowledge, baseline data, and any relevant learning support issues.
Qualifications:
- Degree level (or equivalent) education.
- Native speaker of the target language required.
Person Specification
- A capacity to inspire pupils of all abilities, helping pupils to make progress in oral language skills.
- Energy and commitment.
- Confidence, tenacity, flexibility and adaptability.
- Ability to work constructively in partnership with MFL teachers, and also able to work independently.
- Empathy for pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.
- Respects and values the different experiences, ideas and backgrounds others can bring to work and to teams.
- A sense of humour and can-do attitude.
Benefits:
Competitive contributory occupational pension scheme
Death in service benefit up to the age of 70 (if not already included in occupational pension scheme)
Single Membership of a private medical insurance scheme (subject to eligibility)
Cash Health Plan currently provided by +Medicash
Payment for eye tests for users of visual display screen equipment, and a contribution currently amounting to £50 to the cost of any corrective eye wear (normally claimable once every 3 years) ▪ Personal Accident insurance
Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
School fee remission (subject to eligibility).
Membership of the School Sports Centre
Membership of the School’s 9-hole golf course at a reduced subscription
Participation in a ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme (subject to eligibility)
Salary sacrifice on electric vehicles (subject to eligibility)
Lunches, during your normal working day
Free on-site parking
Invitations to school productions and concerts throughout the year
Use of the School Library to borrow books & other media
Continuing professional development as part of our talent management programme.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Charterhouse School, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 13th April 2026. Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date
