HMC PROJECTS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO SPEND A YEAR IN THE U.K.
AS TEACHING ASSISTANTS DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-2010

	Applications are invited from teachers or university students training to be teachers who are nearing the end of their course to spend one year in a British Independent School as an Assistant Teacher.

Arrangements

Objectives :	To provide teachers with the opportunity to gain experience of the British educational system, to understand something of the British way of life and to gain a greater command of English.  Teachers of the following subjects are most easily placed :-   Maths, Sciences, Information Technology, Design and Technology, Art , Music, Physical Education and Sport, Junior Classes and possibly also French, German, Spanish or History and Geography.  Each year there are a very few vacancies for teachers of English who generally assist with teaching the language to students from overseas, but these teachers should normally offer at least one other subject.
Most vacancies are for secondary teachers ( pupils aged 11-18 ) but some vacancies do exist also for teaching younger pupils ( aged 7 - 13 and occasionally for kindergarten ).

Essential Qualities
- a good knowledge of English - you must be able to communicate easily but total fluency is not essential if you are willing to learn quickly.
- competent in subject area
- willing to gain experience in residential situation
- friendly and outgoing
- adaptable in unfamiliar situations
- able to integrate easily
- confident and independent
- hardworking, willing and highly motivated
- able to work in a team 
- readiness to assist with supervision of sports and other extra-curricular activities
(expertise in sport, music, drama or other activity would be welcome but is not essential )
- a commitment to share the experience on returning to your country at the end of the year

Accommodation : this is generally provided by the host school, usually in boarding houses where the Teaching Assistant will act as a resident tutor for boarding children.

Food : will normally be provided during term time, i.e. eating with other resident tutors and school boarders.

Dependent : The allowance and accommodation is not sufficient for dependants.  Applicants must be prepared to go alone, although short visits from dependants or spouses during the holidays have been possible in past years.

Finance 
Teachers will be paid not less than £172 per week throughout the year.  
From this the school may deduct approx. £25 per week for meals taken in school and also approx. £25 per week in respect of accommodation.

Teachers will also have to pay a National Insurance contribution of approx. £7 per week.
This gives entitlement to treatment under the National Health Service for all Medical needs except Dental treatment which is not covered.

Travel Expenses : selected candidates cover their own travel expenses to and from the UK and the costs of obtaining a visa ( if required depending on country ).

Teachers whose applications are successful and who take up places in British schools will be asked to contribute £300 during the year to cover a part of the costs incurred directly for their benefit.  Unfortunately this is the only way we can finance the programme.  This amounts only to about £6 per week.  We do not require the total sum in advance but accept the payment in two parts, the first £150 being due on 1st December, 2009 and another £150 on 1st March, 2010.  Thus it is not necessary for money to be transferred in advance from your country to UK and teachers can wait until they have been paid by their schools.  

In consequence of these various expenses you should have at least approx. £100 per week available for your own use ( perhaps more ) even after all the costs of accommodation and food have been met.  This is sufficient to enable you to join friends when they go out to go to the theatre or a football match, to buy some clothes in the Sales and to travel to interesting places around the country.  We aim to ensure that you have enough money so that you can make the best use of your time in Britain though you will of course find many items expensive.	.  
Interviews will be arranged by the coordinator in each country.  These will probably take place during the period end-January to mid-March 2009.  Applicants will normally be informed if they have been successful during the period mid-April to end-May.  

For successful candidates departure for UK is around the end of August / beginning of September 2009  for Orientation in Cambridge where other Teaching Assistants from Central and Eastern Europe will be present also.  	
Degree certificates should not be included.		           	

            APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Final application date:  12 December (post office date)

Interviews for shortlisted candidates: in Bucharest, in late January. 

Successful candidates: Papers of recommended candidates will be sent to schools in the scheme in the U.K. in March. The schools will decide which candidates to accept. This may take until June. Failure to be placed at this stage will not reflect the calibre of the candidate, but the requirements of the schools in the scheme.

Requirements:

1.	A CV (Curriculum Vitae) detailing your training and experience and including concrete evidence of extra-curricular work or interests

2.	An application letter of between 250 and 400 words explaining:
•	why you are applying 
•	relevance of your experience
•	your commitment to teaching and  to your pupils
•	what you will take to the UK which will be useful to schools there 
•	what you hope to bring back and your plans for the future 

3.	Two recent photographs

4.	Two references (in English or translated into English)

5.	A supporting letter from your school director or subject inspector including agreement to release you for a year should your application be successful.

Degree certificates etc. should not be included

*Please note that if you are shortlisted for an interview, your English will be tested in conversation. 

APPLICATIONS (HARD COPY ONLY) AND ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROGRAMME SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AS INDICATED:

Teachers from:  Bucharest, Tulcea, Constanta, Calarasi, Arges, Prahova, Olt, Dimbovita, Ialomita, Ilfov, Gurgiu, Teleorman, Braila, Timis, Bihor, Gorj, Vilcea, Dolj, Mehedinti, Caras Severin and Hunedoar to:
Cristina Marinescu (Projects Officer, British Council Bucharest)
British Council, Cal. Dorobantilor 14, 010 572 Bucuresti 
Tel: 021 307 9628; fax: 021 307 96 01; e-mail: cristina.marinescu@britishcouncil.ro

Teachers from: Cluj, Sibiu, Harghita, Alba, Maramures, Bistrita, Brasov Covasna, Satu Mare, Slaj and Mures to:
Lucia Monica Marasescu (British Council Centre Manager Cluj)
Str.Arany Janos 11, 400 028 Cluj
Tel/Fax: 0264-593 290; e-mail: monica.marasescu@britishcouncil.ro

Teachers from: Iasi, Botosani, Galati, Buzau, Bacau, Vaslui, Neamt,  Vrancea and Suceava, 
Ecaterina Petreanu (British Council Centre Manager Iasi)
Str.Pacurari 4, 700 511 Iasi 
Tel/Fax: 0232-258457; E-mail: Ecaterina.Petreanu@britishcouncil.ro