Fancy teaching English in Switzerland, Canada, or one of nine other destinations around the world? The British Council is looking for people from across Scotland to join their English Language Assistant (ELA) programme, which offers placements lasting six months to a year and gives participants the chance to teach internationally, build professional skills, and experience life in a new culture.
The programme provides placements in countries including France, Canada, and Argentina, giving participants a unique opportunity to teach while earning a salary. Language requirements vary between countries, but applicants don't need formal language qualifications, skills can come from travel, private study, or university courses, and you don't need to be from a teaching background.
For 25-year-old Berenika from Glenrothes in Fife, the ELA programme has been life-changing, so much so that she's doing it for the second time.
Three years ago, having just finished at Edinburgh University where she studied photography, Berenika took her first placement in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
“I loved my first placement so much that I came home and trained to be a teacher, completing my PGDE in Scotland. But after some travelling, I really missed the experience of being a language assistant, so, I decided to apply again, and I'm so glad that I did."
Now based in Zurich at the city's largest Kantonsschule (Canton school), Berenika teaches 16-18 year olds who are preparing for university. She takes classes for conversation lessons covering everything from debates and discussions to local slang. She has her own class of 14 students working towards their Cambridge Advanced qualification.
Speaking about her students, she says: "It's a dream job because they're all really motivated to learn English. Aside from just loving English music and watching YouTube, they know it's going to be valuable for their future careers."
One of her most memorable experiences came during a special project week that connected her students with Scottish culture. "We took students on a hike and captured photographs, then created artist books pairing their images with Scottish poetry, including works by Burns," she explains. "They wrote their own poems and put them alongside their photographs - it was a lot of fun. There's another ELA from Scotland and we're planning a Burns Night for the Australian and American assistants, so they get a taste of it as well. We'll do the address to the haggis and everything."
With just 16 hours of teaching per week, Berenika has had plenty of time to explore Switzerland and beyond. "I've got a fantastic train card, and you can access anywhere by train, bus, or gondola," she says. "I've explored the Christmas markets, watched the Alpabfahrt when the decorated cows come down from the mountain, did a weekend trip to Amsterdam, and went to Europa Park, which is essentially a ‘mini Europe’ on the German-French border where you can 'walk around' the different countries."
Beyond the travel and teaching, it's the community of language assistants that has made the experience special. "The other language assistants are so wonderful," she says. "There's a really nice community and they always have day trips planned - hikes, drinks, there's even a British pub quiz in English. I also got a snowboard from a second-hand shop, so I'm looking forward to hitting the slopes in January after I go home to Fife for Christmas with the family and the dog."
For someone who studied photography rather than languages or education, the role has given her an unexpected direction for her future career path. "Even though I don't have years of experience, the school has so much trust in you and you get lots of freedom," she reflects. "That's something I really want in my future career. I studied photography and not languages, but the role has opened unexpected doors. I feel more confident to come back home and try teaching again in Scotland.
Meanwhile, Uma, who grew up in the Northwest Highlands near Ullapool, is also on her second placement with the programme, this time in Quebec. After studying Spanish and French at Glasgow University and working in a primary school for two years, she now teaches at ACCESS, an adult education centre on the south shore of Montreal, where she teaches English and helps with the invigilation of exams and conversation clubs.
Working with a diverse student body has been particularly rewarding for her. "Most of the students here are recent immigrants and refugees to Canada, and they're really motivated to learn English for their jobs and studies," she explains. "Working here has made me realize that I do really enjoy working with immigrant communities. It's really rewarding to feel like you're making a difference in somebody's life."
One experience that has particularly stood out for Uma has been the centre's potluck days, where students bring food from their cultures. "It's so good to hear about all the different cultures" she says. "They tell their stories through the food."
Montreal's cultural scene has also been a major draw. "One of the main reasons I wanted to live in Montreal was that I'd missed a lot of concerts that were happening at home in Scotland,” she explains. “Here, I've been to a lot of concerts and exhibitions. Montreal is a very creative city, so it's been fun going to lots of gigs and events."
Looking ahead to next semester, Uma is planning to start an arts and crafts conversation club. "I think it's really good for students to be busy with their hands and to feel like they're not pressured to speak English,” she says. “They're just casually speaking English."
The experience has helped Uma gain perspective on her career direction. "I've got experience with different age groups now, which will help if I want to focus on teaching in the future," she says.
Uma also has some practical advice for applicants preparing for their own adventures: " Do a lot of research on places you want to visit, engage with the literature and movies from that country before you go," she suggests. "I think it helps to make you feel less nervous and more familiar with the country. The programme is such a good way to get the opportunity to live in a different country, and because it's part-time, it gives you this chance to travel and not have too much pressure. You can do things outside of work, which is really nice."
Every year, the British Council sends approximately 1,800 assistants from the UK abroad to support English teaching in schools, universities, and language centres. With the programme approaching its 120th anniversary in 2025, it continues opening doors for participants while promoting educational exchange worldwide.
The programme, supported by the Department for Education (DfE) and Scottish Government, operates reciprocally, Modern Language Assistants from around the globe teach French, German, Italian, and Mandarin across Scotland and the wider UK. In 2025, over 700 Modern Language Assistants were teaching at schools, colleges, and universities across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland says: "The English Language Assistant programme is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture and develop invaluable skills for your career.
“For 120 years, this initiative has been opening doors and building meaningful connections between the UK and the wider world. Whether you're fresh out of university or exploring what you want to do next, if you have a passion for languages, international exchange and adventure, I encourage you to apply and make 2026 a year to remember. It might be the start of something truly life changing."
Applications for 2026-27 are now open. The deadline for applications is 28 January 2026 at 13:00 GMT.
For more information and full eligibility criteria, visit: https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/outside-uk/english-language-assistants
The English Language Assistant programme continues the British Council's work building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching.
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