British Council Language Assistants

British Council

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 episode!

  1. 04/12/2025

    Culture Shock: Episode 2

    Welcome to our second episode on culture shock. This episode, Rand and Sian will be speaking to three former language assistants who have all had very interesting and different experiences with culture shock abroad. We are speaking to Isla, a former English Language Assistant in Germany, Lukas, a former Austrian Language Assistant in the UK, and Yiqing, a former Chinese Language Assistant in the UK. Listen as they share their stories about joining a musical choir in London, an queer gardening group in Cologne, experiencing conflicts when queueing, and more!

    49 min

  2. 18/02/2025

    Culture Shock : Episode 1

    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.

    38 min

  3. 13/09/2022

    What to pack?

    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!

    18 min

  4. 06/01/2022

    Documenting Your Time

    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.

    23 min

  5. 13/09/2021

    First Experiences of Teaching as a Language Assistant

    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.

    46 min

  6. 12/07/2021

    Settling In

    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.

    27 min

  7. 09/04/2021

    Chile

    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.

    49 min

  8. 12/01/2021

    Spain

    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!

    40 min
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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 episode!

Información

  • Creador
    British Council
  • Años de actividad
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodios
    25
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © British Council

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