Teacher of IB German
Please see "Notes for applicants" and "Additional information for teachers of IB courses" for general background.
The post
This post is for a part-time teacher of German on pre-university (IB and Pre-IB) courses. The number of hours available will depend on enrolment but is expected to be 7 or 8 hours per week i.e. two classes. Standard level classes have 3 hours per week in IB1 and 2.5 hours per week in IB2. Higher level classes have 4 hours per week. German courses offered - The college currently has significant numbers of German nationals, who take German A1, studying literature in the mother tongue at both Higher and Standard level. In addition some students take German B, studying German as a foreign language, at both Higher and Standard. Though numbers vary from year to year, there is likely to be teaching on both courses. In addition some students take German B, studying German as a foreign language, at both Higher and Standard. Though numbers vary from year to year, there is likely to be teaching on both courses. Pre-IB students who are native English speakers occasionally elect to take German as a foreign language. Also, Pre-IB students all follow a course in World Literature. Class size is a maximum of 15, with an average of 9, and the students are invariably well-behaved and keen to learn. These are optimal conditions for a teacher to plan and deliver excellent lessons in a supportive and collegial environment. The teaching style of St. Clare's in general aims to combine informality with academic rigour. Small classes are the norm, discussion and a questioning approach are encouraged, and students are expected to acquire self-discipline in the organisation of their work. Some information on subject content can be found at http://www.stclares.ac.uk/ib/ibsubjects.phpThe person
The person appointed will have an appropriate qualification or experience in teaching German. A teaching qualification e.g. a PGCE, would be useful, though not essential. Previous teaching experience at a comparable level is highly desirable. S/he will be a native speaker or of native speaker quality. We are looking for a lively and enthusiastic teacher, able to teach language and literature to a high level. Efficiency and flexibility are desirable as well as experience of working in an international environment and experience of working with students of different language / educational backgrounds.LANGUAGES IN THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA
The IB Diploma programme requires all students to study two languages, normally their mother tongue and a foreign language. Courses are organised in two Groups, and are offered at Higher and Standard levels. German B Higher level is approximately equivalent to A2 level in standard, and German B Standard level is similar to or above AS level. Language A programmes e.g. German A1 Literature, has no A level equivalent, requiring a much higher level of linguistic competence, and, at Higher level, considerable depth of literary analysis. The following notes relate to IB programmes offered in German at St. Clare's.Group 1
Higher and Standard levels are both offered in German A1 Literature. The mother tongue is studied through literature. The aims of the course are to develop students' powers of expression; to promote knowledge of a variety of literary texts; and to develop a range of critical skills. A significant feature of the syllabus is Literature in Translation: the study of texts from other literary cultures. Assessment comprises a written papers, covering commentary and essay skills; research paper(s) which are internally set and externally marked; and oral tests, including a formal oral commentary (internally set and internally marked).Group 2
Higher and Standard levels are both offered in German B Language. The Language B course is a foreign language-learning programme designed for students with previous experience of learning the language, but who have not reached an advanced level of competence. The syllabus is centred on language acquisition and development, through the study of themes. The aims of the course are to help the students to communicate accurately and effectively; to develop a sound linguistic base for further study, work and leisure; and to provide insights into the culture of the language. Considerable freedom is allowed the teacher in devising teaching materials. Assessment comprises reading comprehension, and a written paper (all externally set and marked), and a range of oral tasks (internally set and marked). Ab initio, Standard level only offered in Spanish and Mandarin. As the title implies, this course is for students with no significant previous experience of learning the language. However, we don't offer this course in German.Terms and conditions
Salaries for full-time teachers are based on the St. Clare's pay scale (in excess of the main professional scale for maintained schools), according to qualifications and experience. A full-time teacher with six years' experience can expect to earn in the region of £38,660. A teacher new to the profession can expect to earn in the region of £31,000. In both cases the salaries include £3,300 for the responsibility of being a Personal Tutor. The academic year for IB and Pre-IB teaching is 35 weeks from the late August until mid-June (with appropriate breaks that are largely synchronised with local schools). Classes are timetabled between 09:00 and 16:15, Monday to Friday. Teachers are provided with free lunch in the dining room or café on working days. Professional development – there is a generous professional development budget to allow teachers to keep up to date with educational developments and improve their classroom practice. Pension - The teacher may be entitled to join the Teachers' Pension Scheme. The teacher's contribution is 6.4% of pensionable salary, but the percentage is subject to review from time to time. Life Assurance - If the teacher is a member of the Teachers' Pension Scheme the cover is three times the average salary less any lump sum benefits already paid. The College also provides additional cover of one times the average salary. Fee reductions of 70% of day fees are offered for staff children attending the College. A substantial relocation allowance will be available to defray costs of moving to Oxford.References and checks
All offers of employment and contracts are issued subject to satisfactory references and satisfactory outcomes on completion of all necessary checks, including criminal records and establishing the right to work in the UK. In some cases some or all of these checks will have been undertaken before an offer is made. Taking up employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of all necessary procedures. Under the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, we are required to undertake additional checks on all employees. Full written references, and phone references on quoted referees, including current employer, may be obtained before or after interview. You should indicate specifically if you wish St. Clare's to refrain from contacting your current employer. Police checks / Criminal Records Bureau checks will also be undertaken, for which employees / prospective employees are required to provide information and consent. A Certificate of Good Conduct is acceptable if you are returning from abroad. Contact with all previous employers where the employee has worked with children or vulnerable adults is also required. This is to establish the reason for leaving the position. On occasions, further information and a reference may be sought in writing, by phone or by other means. By providing details of previous employment, it is assumed that the employee/prospective employee has given consent for this contact, and no specific consent of the employee / prospective employee will be sought. Satisfactory completion of a health questionnaire. The College reserves the right to contact any previous employer and to make any additional enquiries it considers necessary in order to meet its responsibilities in relation to employment of people working with students who are under the age of 18.Further enquiries and applications
Please apply by detailed letter enclosing- a detailed letter explaining how you would be particularly suited to this position
- a full CV to include a full employment history with names, addresses and telephone numbers of all previous employers. Please (i) explain any gaps in employment and (ii) indicate where you have worked with students aged under 18.
- details of three referees to include addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers (please ensure they know they may be contacted and will respond promptly). Note that we reserve the right to contact any of your previous employers.
St. Clare's, Oxford
139 Banbury Road
Oxford OX2 7AL
Tel: +44 (0)1865 517368
Fax: +44 (0)1865 310002
Email: recruitment@stclares.ac.uk Closing date for applications: 21 March 2011
Interviews will take place at St. Clare's, Oxford during the week starting 28 March 2011.
Please note that CVs without a suitable accompanying letter and/or details of referees will be discarded.