Director of Studies (DoS) Job Description
Title: Director of Studies (DoS)
Job Type: Residential, Full-Time
Reports to: Academic Manager
Responsible for: ADoS, Teachers, Students and Group Leaders
Country: Scotland, United Kingdom
DATES: June 28th to July 31st 2025
Location: Edinburgh
MLA is currently recruiting a professional TEFLQ Director of Studies for our centre in Edinburgh. ACADEMICS ONLY: NO EXCURSIONS, NO ACTIVITIES, NO BEDTIME/WAKE UP DUTIES, NO AIRPORT TRANSFERS. Minimum 2 years experience in a Summer School setting in the UK essential. Salary from GBP 683 to GBP 784 per week based on qualifications and experience. Paid training and induction, work as part of a strong team and gain experience, opportunities for professional development, regular CPD sessions on a range of young learner topics.
MLA (Move Language Ahead) is an industry leader in providing safe, educational, and cultural holidays to students from around the world. Each year thousands of students travel with MLA as part of our short-term English as a Foreign Language (EFL) programmes. Along with our proprietary task-based EFL curriculum, we also provide our students with great excursions featuring some of the most popular historical and tourist destinations across the globe.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Ensure the planning, delivery and smooth running of the academic programme
• Monitor effective completion of all tasks
• Allocate students to classes and make changes if necessary
• Assign level and material to classes
• Organise inductions, and CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders
• Represent MLA values
• Report to the Academic Manager
• 6 days per week (Monday to Saturday)
• Residential employment available from late June – mid-August
  The post of Director of Studies is a senior position, and the successful candidate will be a member of the school’s management structure. The holder has the key task of leading and managing the academic life of the centre, and plays a crucial role in whole-school strategy and development. You will inspire teachers to deliver high-quality, communicative Task-Based EFL lessons. DoSs are also responsible for communicating with the Centre Director and Group Leaders about academic related matters. Summer centres are very busy places and there may be duties to perform in addition to those detailed here.

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 form your country of residence
• Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references.
• EFL Summer School Teaching/Managerial experience in Ireland or the UK
• Teacher Management experience
• Teacher Training experience
• EFL experience teaching teenagers
• Be proficient in the use of IT
• DELTA / Trinity DipTESOL / MA TESOL completed
• 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

• 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 management, teaching and learning
• Be determined, well-organised and extremely 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.
• Customer orientated approach: highly aware of cultural sensitivities. Communicate clearly and persuasively with Group Leaders and students to ensure procedures are followed.
• Ready to initiate and manage change, where necessary.

KEY POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES

Academics in the centre

• Take overall responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning within the school
• Develop and implement MLA’s educational philosophy and foster a culture of best practice
• Manage the MLA Boards software and keep all records up-to-date
• Be available to Group Leaders, listen carefully and respectfully, and accommodate their requests as much as possible while ensuring MLA procedures are followed
• Be flexible and aware of cultural differences when explaining academic decisions/procedures to Group Leaders
• Advise the Academic Manager on all academic matters in the centre and request assistance from Head Office
• Attend any management training or meetings as required
• Support the Centre Director and work collaboratively with Centre Administrator and Activity Manager to ensure the successful running of the centre and programme when necessary; including assisting in the staff induction and take an active part in discussion and feedback
• Promote and develop the academic curriculum and academic life of the school
• Complete all administrative tasks required efficiently
• Timetable teachers
• Centre and classroom set-up
• Manage student admissions and monitor arrangements for placement tests
• Cover lessons when necessary and motivate students to improve their learning skills
• Organise certificates and graduation ceremony

Staff Management

• Lead and manage the Academic Team in the centre by encouraging, supporting and challenging teachers and ADoSs to maintain MLA’s high academic standards
• Ensure there is a clear communication channel with staff and have an open door policy
• Monitor staff performance and teachers prompt completion of all administrative tasks required
• Ensure teachers prepare lessons and adapt material/stages to their class composition
• Chair academic meetings in the centre
• Be the first port of call for any teacher in need of advice or support
• Cover for absent staff
• Arrange cover for absent staff: record and monitor all absences
• Supervise the preparation of student reports within agreed deadlines
• Inform the Academic Manager of all Continuous Professional Development programmes and academic needs in the centre
• Delegate tasks to the ADoS with necessary support and guidance

Training & CPD

• Support teachers in delivering the Task-Based learning syllabus
• Work with the ADoS in designing all Continuous Professional Development programmes
• Carry out inductions
• If TEFLQ, carry out formal observations and appraisals in line with the MLA observation guidelines and rubric
• Inspire and encourage teachers to deliver CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders in relation to the centre needs

Administrative

• Assist the Academic Manager with student admissions, monitor and manage arrangements for entrance testing and assessment
• Oversee the allocation of staff in consultation with the Academic Manager
• Oversee the timetabling and administration of preparation
• Monitor live updates of student attendance on the MLA Boards and Teacher Zone
• Supervise the completion of up-to-date teaching records on the MLA Boards and Teacher Zone
• Supervise the preparation of student’s reports and/or course reports within agreed deadlines and ensure they are professional and free of typos
• Oversee the allocation of staff in consultation with the Academic Manager.
• Oversee the timetabling and administration of preparation
• Provide cover teaching when necessary

Equipment & Facilities

• Maintain and monitor teaching resources and premises
• Ensure teachers’ room and 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

Please refer the Job description for details