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The English Language Assistant (ELA) Scheme operates between Ireland and 6 other European countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The role of the ELA is to assist teachers in the classroom and help pupils to see a foreign language as a living language of millions of people rather than as a ‘school’ language. The basic duties of the assistant are:
The 6 countries referred to above also select applicants from their own country who want to serve in Irish schools on the same basis as Irish assistants serve in these countries.
The assistant is normally employed for 12/16 hours per week for one academic year. Outside the stated 12/16 hours of work the assistant is left free, subject of course to the usual discipline of the school. There is ample opportunity for personal studies. It may sometimes be possible for the timetable to be adjusted so as to allow long weekends or days free for travel or attendance at university or other courses.
Please be aware that the English Language Assistant Programme is a competitive process and candidates may only apply for a post in one country.
Austria has something for everyone - from sports fanatics to culture lovers. Working in Austria offers you the chance to live in the gateway to much of central Europe and the Alps. It has lots to offer in terms of winter sports facilities, baroque architecture and classical music.
Appointments in Austria are available in secondary and vocational schools. Modern language undergraduates are eligible to apply after their second year of study.
| Date of appointment: | 1 October – 31 May |
| Hours: | 13 per week |
| Salary: | €1250 approx.(nett) |
| Age Limit: | Austrian authorities request that applicants are under 35 years old |
| Other benefits: | full working contract which entitles you to national healthcare |
Candidates must hold a current Irish passport.
Appointments are available in Burgenland , Kaernten , Niederoesterreich , Oberoesterreich , Salzburg , Steiermark , Tirol , Vorarlberg and Wien . We recommend that you research different areas of Austria before making your decision to ensure that you pick the areas that best suit you. Wien, Salzburg and Tirol are the most popular first choice regions. We will endeavour to facilitate your preferred choice, but please note that this cannot be guaranteed.
The assistant is normally employed for up to 13 hours per week for one academic year. Please be aware that you will need additional time for the preparation of classes – alone or together with your mentor. Although you will focus on your role as a teaching assistant, outside the working hours, you are left free, subject of course to the usual discipline of the school. There is ample opportunity for personal studies, although you might not always have the opportunity to regularly attend university courses if you are posted at a school in a small town or village. Yet, it may sometimes be possible for the timetable to be adjusted so as to allow long weekends or days free for travel or attendance at university or other courses.
You will be invited to attend a 5 day Induction Course, in either St. Pӧlten or Zell am See in September, 2020 which will take place one week before the start of the assistantship.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 09 March 2020.
The completed applications should be returned to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St., Dublin 1, D01 RC96.
We would like to remind you to carefully consider your commitment to the ELA Scheme before accepting a post, as all withdrawals will need to be duly justified.
Belgium is a fantastic country that sits at the heart of European politics, being the home of both the EU and NATO headquarters. Our posts are in Brussels or Wallonia (French-speaking) southern Belgium, enabling you to practice your French every day. It’s known for its medieval towns, Renaissance-era architecture and traditional Trappist beers. The capital city is Namur.
Appointments are available in secondary and higher education. Candidates must have at least completed their second year of study in a higher education institution or have received their diploma (minimum two years of third level study).
| Dates of Appointment: | 1 October to 31 May | |
| Hours: | 12-16 hours per week (including preparation of course work and participation in extracurricular activities). | |
| Remuneration: | You will receive an allowance of €982.56 per month net | |
| Age Limit: | Applicants must be under 35 years. | |
| Police Clearance: | applicants must show if requested that they have no criminal record which would prevent them from working with children or vulnerable persons. | |
| Medical Entitlements: | assistants are encouraged to apply for EHIC card. Assistants should check with their own insurance provider with regard to their cover abroad during the duration of their placement. |
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 09 March 2020.
The completed applications should be returned to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St., Dublin 1, D01 RC96.
France provides an astonishing variety of landscapes, architecture and food, and the opportunity to integrate into the local community in rural areas or to experience life in one of its many captivating cities.
It is a condition of eligibility for selection as a language assistant that the applicant must have successfully completed 2nd year of their bachelor degree by the time they take up their posting in France (October 2020). Students in any discipline can apply, as long as they have a good level of French certified by a university tutor.
Appointments are made to:
| School level: | Primary or secondary schools, for a duration of 7 months starting from 01 October 2020 to 30 April 2021 |
| Salary: | €964.88 (Gross) per month – between €770 and €785 (after taxes) |
| Age limits: | the French authorities only accept candidates between 20 and 35 years of age. (This is strictly adhered to) |
| Hours: | The 12 hour timetable can be spread across up to 3 schools in the same area |
| Location: | Appointments can be anywhere in mainland France as well as oversea territories if requested so by the applicant |
You should be aware of the following before making your application:
1.It is difficult to find accommodation in Paris and schools are usually less able to assist. The cost of living in Paris is high and there is a difference between Paris and Paris Région.
2.Posts in the academies (regions) of Aix-Marseille, Montpellier, Toulouse and Bordeaux are often in small towns in rural areas where public transport may be limited.
3.The south of France and Paris are the most popular first-choice regions, so competition is particularly tough.
4.If your reason for choosing an area is that you have contacts and possible accommodation there, you must provide the name of your host and address of the accommodation for us to consider your request.
We recommend you research different regions of France thoroughly before applying.
You will be invited to an induction course arranged by the local education authority (académie) in France early October 2020.
The application forms for these posts are available to download. Applications that are incomplete e.g. have documents missing will not be accepted.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 24 February 2020.
Completed applications along with all required documents, must be returned by email to: irishassistantsinfrance@gmail.com
We would like to remind you that accepting a position as a language assistant has the worth of commitment, and any cancellation after having accepted the post has to be duly justified.
For questions about the programme or help with the completion of the application form, please read the instructions on the website of the French Embassy .
From the Bavarian Alps to the lively cities of Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dresden, Berlin, and eastern Germany which host some of the most attractive areas of Europe, there is plenty to experience in Germany.
Modern language undergraduates after their second year of study are eligible to apply. They must have a good command of German. (Minimun of B1 on CEFR). Candidates must hold a current Irish passport.
Appointments are in secondary and comprehensive schools. A few appointments may also be in primary schools.
| Dates of appointment: | End of August / beginning of September – 31 May (depending on the region the Assistants are placed in, the start could be as early as August 24th or as late as September 14th. |
| Hours: | 12 per week |
| Salary: | €850 per month (nett) |
| Age limits: | the German authorities are only able to consider candidates not older than 29 years. |
You should be aware of the following before making your application:
1.Homeland address is the address where you can be reached during holiday periods, fill in the dates that this applies
2.Term address is the address where you can be reached during college terms
3.Family Status - single / married / divorced
4.Generally you must be flexible and ready to accept the offered appointment. Placements in university towns are in very high demand. It is best to indicate three regions of the 16 regions as your preferred options.
5.If you have a strong desire to be placed in a certain area please complete (in German) your reasons e.g. accommodation, studies etc.
6.Please sign your name on the back of each passport photo before affixing to the form
7.You must attach to your application form a) detailed C.V. b) detailed explanation of the reason you wish to be considered for the post, these should be completed in German and in English
8.The confidential attestation forms are to be completed by your German tutors and returned directly to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1. D01 RC96
9.Completed application forms should be submitted to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1. D01 RC96 before the closing date for receipt of completed applications which is: Monday 09 March 2020.
We recommend you research possible destinations in Germany before submitting your application for consideration.
Applications closing date 09 March 2020
We would like to remind you to carefully consider your commitment to the ELA Scheme before accepting a post, as all withdrawals will need to be duly justified.
The rich diversity of cultural heritage, scenic beauty and state of the art modern cities makes Italy a fascinating place to spend a year.
Appointments are in secondary schools across the country. Undergraduates who have completed the second year of their degree are eligible to apply as long as they have a good level of Italian certified by a University tutor.
| Dates of appointment: | 1 October – 31 May |
| Hours: | 12 per week |
| Salary: | €850 approx per month (nett) |
| Age and passport requirements: | the Italian Ministry of Education are normally only able to consider candidates under the age of 30 who hold an Irish passport. |
The posts are not always in the same locations every year, so you should be as flexible as possible. It is helpful if you can indicate whether you prefer a post in northern or southern Italy.
We recommend you research possible destinations in Italy thoroughly before applying.
The completed applications should be returned to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St., Dublin 1, D01 RC96.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 09 March 2020.
We would like to remind you to carefully consider your commitment to the ELA Scheme before accepting a post, as all withdrawals will need to be duly justified.
Spain is a modern, vibrant country. It's a tolerant, accepting society, with a multicultural population. There are excellent universities, museums and natural spaces. Its geography is amongst the most diverse in Europe – beaches, mountains, national parks and plains. There are big cosmopolitan cities and small towns and villages. Spain has a great transportation system and is well communicated with Ireland and the rest of Europe.
Every year there are approximately 70 TO 80 POSTS in primary or secondary schools or in public language schools.
The programme welcomes applicants from any field. Participants need some knowledge of the language, but it’s not required to be a student of Spanish. Candidates do not need a background in education. Teaching experience or training will be an asset.
| Dates of appointment: | 1 October – 31 May. In Madrid until 30 June |
| Hours: | 12-16 per week |
| Salary: | approx. €700-1000 per month. |
Salaries paid directly by some regions (cupo comunidad) are as follows:
| Medical Coverage | The assistant should have a European Health Insurance Card. In the event that the assistant does not have one, and only if there is a just cause, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training or the Autonomous Community of destination will sign an insurance policy that will provide health coverage. |
Travel expenses to Spain and back are not covered by the scheme so must be paid by the assistant.
Assistants help with the teaching of English. They may be asked to assist in classes of other subjects delivered in English, and to participate in extra-curricular activities such as workshops, field trips, music/theatre performances or sports events.
There are posts available in all the Spanish "Comunidades autónomas" (autonomous regions), including Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary and Balearic Islands. Efforts will be made to meet the applicants’ preferences, but their choices cannot be guaranteed.
As in Spain each region is governed autonomously, assistants are paid directly by the region they are allocated to. Because of this the Spanish authorities distinguish between “cupo Comunidad Autónoma” and “cupo Ministerio”, which is no other than an indication of who is contracting the assistant and paying their salary. In this way it is easier to identify the number (“cupo”) of language assistants needed by schools in a particular region and adjust the number of contracts according to their budget.
There will be an information session in Ireland in June and a one/two-day induction course in Spain in late September or beginning of October. This will include information on administrative procedures and provide training and offer ideas for the classroom.
For further information, visit the programme website .
Closing date for receipt of applications is 09 March 2020.
Completed application forms must be returned to the International Section, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 RC96.
For further information please email ELA@education.gov.ie
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