British Council Language Assistants

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Find out first-hand about all things language assistants... We'll be chatting with colleagues, former assistants and experts on a range of themes. From finding accommodation to settling into school life; listen and prepare for your time overseas. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss an episo…

British Council


    • Feb 18, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from British Council Language Assistants

    Culture Shock

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 37:59


    This episode explores the foundation for understanding culture shock. Join the language assistants team with Saskia, Rand and Aobh as we dive into what culture shock is, the stages it involves, and why it's such a universal experience for exchange students. We are joined also by George Wilson, the English and School Education Country Lead for British Council France. Through stories, expert insights, and practical examples, this episode will equip listeners with the knowledge to recognize and manage the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies life abroad.

    What to pack?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 18:00


    Finola chats to Ellie who was an ELA in Austria during 2020-21 about what is best to pack as a Language Assistant. Listen for top tips on what you really need to bring and what you can get when you're there. Don't forget to leave space for delicious goodies and some marmite if you're a fan! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Documenting Your Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 23:05


    Finola speaks to Georgia and Mabel about their experiences as assistants and how they kept a record of their time. They discuss their favourite memories and the joys of looking back on them. Ceilidhs in classroom and Christmas on the beach, listen in to find out how to keep track of your experiences. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    First Experiences of Teaching as a Language Assistant

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 45:44


    In this episode, we speak to former English Language Assistants Fran, Dylan and Haleema about their first experiences in the classroom. Providing quality first teaching tips, we hear about their favourite activities and the challenges they overcame to produce fantastic lessons. From quizzes about apple pie to what's the time Mr Wolf, discover what being an assistant in a range of schools is like from their first-hand experience. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Settling In

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 27:29


    We hear from assistants Kate and Georgia about their experience of settling in as an ELA during 2019-20. From Welsh-cake candles to brass bands, listen to all their top tips for managing that initial period of the assistantship. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Chile

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2021 48:48


    Join us for a trip to the country of the poets in South America with colleagues and assistants. First up, we hear from Gaurav and Ceana. Now both working at the British Council, they tell Finola about their experience as English Language Assistants in Chile. Then Ceana chats to Christopher, a Chilean Modern Language Assistant currently working in the South of England. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Spain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2021 39:51


    Finola and Leona speak to former ELAs and current Ambassadors Lucy and Laura about their experience as an ELA in Spain. From sunsets overlooking the Alhambra to chocolate factory school trips in Asturias, listen to find out more! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Germany

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2020 42:57


    Joined by team member Elena and former assistants Luis and Ffion, Fin hears all about life in Germany. From admin to bakery etiquette, listen in to hear about the assistant experience and top tips for those heading to Germany. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Lockdown Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 49:42


    2020 has been a very different year for the Language Assistants programme, and this podcast looks to explore how this group of assistants and teachers have adapted in the circumstances. In the first part of this episode we speak to Emily, Joe and Mathilde who speak about their different experiences of Lockdown and the final stages of their assistantship. Not only on the journey they went on but how important it is to look after your own well-being during this time. In the second part, we hear from David Lynch, a British Council teacher currently based in Japan, who has had to adapt to virtual teaching. We discuss the challenges but also the possibilities that come with virtual teaching on this episode of the Language Assistants podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Preparing to Teach

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 36:54


    In this episode, former Language Assistant team members Bethan and Beth share their top tips for teaching. They explore how to prepare, what to bring and activities to try for future language assistants to get the most out of their teaching experience! Teach English --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Exploring Gender Equality: Language Assistants and Beyond

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2020 37:48


    With International Women's Day on 08 March, the Language Assistant podcast has carried out a special episode exploring gender within the programme itself and the British Council's work. On this episode, Finola is joined by Ceana from the Language Assistants Team, Anna from the Gender and Inclusion Team and Dalia from British Council Mexico. Some useful links from today's podcast: Gender in Education: Inspiring the Future British Council Gender Equality Resources --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Canada

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2020 26:16


    In this episode, Finola is joined by Renaud and Rhianna as they discuss life in Quebec. Featuring ski-doos, poutine and the topic of Canadian French, be sure to listen for all the top tips ! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Austria

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 26:14


    In this episode, Finola speaks to two former language assistants: Luke and Katrina about their experience in Austria. Both share their key top tips about life, admin and their experience...especially to keep your fridge stocked before Sunday! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Wellbeing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 21:10


    In this episode, Bethan and Andrew from the British Council discussing the importance of and ways to wellbeing for Language Assistants, with helpful links and their own personal stories along the way. As mentioned in the video: - 5 Ways to Wellbeing - Mind --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    France

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2020 33:55


    In this episode, Finola speaks to three former language assistants - Jason, Clorrie and Isabel - about their experience as a language assistant in France. Starting with the typical week, they then discuss challenges and their adventures. From teaching the next generation of French chefs to having tea with a International Prize winning author! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Italy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2020 26:04


    In this episode, Olivia is joined by Felicity and Emma who look back on their time as a language assistant in Italy. From delicious food to Romeo and Juliet, this podcast has lots of helpful tips and provides an insight into the experience of being an assistant in Italy. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    China

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2019 33:31


    In this episode, Felicity gives the lowdown on eligibility criteria for China and Finola speaks to Jasper and Lorna - two former English Language Teachers in China. They talk about their experiences, the benefits and challenges of living in China as a teacher and share some invaluable top tips - useful information for those considering applying! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    How to Apply

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2019 14:45


    In this episode, Finola and Olivia look at the application process, how it works and what we are looking for in English Language Assistant candidates. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Insurance

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2019 31:03


    A 'must listen' episode this week as we discuss all things insurance! We talk about the importance of insurance with a former English language assistant who was involved in a major car crash in Spain, as well as the British Council's Head of Insurance for advice on policies. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Accommodation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2019 40:37


    Bethan and Olivia chat to former English Language Assistant Sophie about the different types of accommodation Language Assistants could consider abroad. Sophie shares her unique experiences living with a French host family at the start of her placement and subsequently living by herself in rented flat in Montélier. Together they also discuss contracts, deposits and how to set up a home away from home! If you have a question or would like to contribute to the podcast, please record a voice message for the team using the following link: https://anchor.fm/languageassistants/message it may even be featured in a future episode! Why not follow the Language Assistants programme on twitter @Languageasst. For more information about the British Council or Language Assistants programme please visit www.britishcouncil.org.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Learning the lingo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2019 37:09


    Bethan and Conor are joined by fellow colleague Imo to chat about language learning. They discuss the various ways in which you can develop your language skills, both before departure and whilst living abroad. Whether you are a complete beginner or already at an advanced level, they share tips and tricks to develop your skills in formal and non-formal settings. If you have a question or would like to contribute to the podcast, please record a voice message for the team using the following link: https://anchor.fm/languageassistants/message it may even be featured in a future episode! Why not follow the Language Assistants programme on twitter @Languageasst. For more information about the British Council or Language Assistants programme please visit www.britishcouncil.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Village vs City

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2019 26:08


    Conor and Bethan catch up with two former Language Assistants to discuss the pros and cons of living and working in a city or village. They speak to Gaurav, a Language Assistant in the capital of Chile Santiago and Cameron who worked in a school in Saint-Prosper, a rural village in Quebec. Together they reflect on their experiences and provide advice to future programme participants. Why not follow the Language Assistants programme on twitter @Languageasst. For more information about the British Council or Language Assistants programme please visit www.britishcouncil.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    School Allocation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2019 20:47


    Bethan, Conor and Olivia chat about placement and school allocations. From receiving your exact school information and location from overseas partners, to contacting your school for the first time, they provide advice and reflect on their own experiences working abroad. Why not follow the Language Assistants programme on twitter @Languageasst. For more information about the British Council or Language Assistants programme please visit www.britishcouncil.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

    Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2019 1:10


    Whether you already have a Language Assistants placement confirmed, are thinking about applying in the future, or are generally looking for information to prepare you for living abroad ... then you have come to the right place! Each week the team will be chatting with colleagues, former assistants and experts on a range of themes. From finding accommodation, money matters, and insurance, to settling into school life, managing culture shock and making friends; they hope to help you prepare for time overseas. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss an episode! www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/outside-uk/english-language-assistants --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/LanguageAssistants/message

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