Director of Studies

Director of Studies (DoS) Job Description

Title: Director of Studies (DoS)

Job Type: Residential, Full-Time

Reports to: Academic Manager

Responsible for: ADoS, Teachers, Students and Group Leaders

Country: United Kingdom

Dates: 27th June to 30th July 2026

Location: London King’s, London Uxbridge, Reading,, Dover, Oxford, Edinburgh

Move Language Ahead is committed to providing industry leading safe, educational, and cultural programmes to students from around the world.

Students, families, and agents from around the world have chosen MLA for the quality of our language courses, for the established trust of our brand, and for the meticulous attention to detail in our packages. The MLA formula for a summer centre is a unique blend of many full‑day and half‑day excursions, an amazing activity programme and specialised language path. In this way we have broken the barriers of the traditional summer language course.

MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and adults  students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal programme. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organisation takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and to uphold their rights.

MLA staff working with young learners will all go through our safer recruitment process including online or face‑to‑face interviews, record checks of references and background checks, in line with the country’s regulations, to ensure they are able to work with young people, provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy, Preventing Sexual Harassment and Prevent Policy.

• Ensure the planning, delivery and smooth running of the academic programme
• Monitor effective completion of all tasks
• Allocate students to classes and make changes if necessary
• Assign level and material to classes
• Organise inductions, and CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders
• Represent MLA values
• Report to the Academic Manager
• 6 days per week (Monday to Saturday)
• Residential employment includes all meals and accommodation

Position duration: 4 weeks, 27th June to 30th July 2026. Possibility of extension in some centres.

The post of Director of Studies is a senior position, and the successful candidate will be a member of the school’s management structure. The holder has the key task of leading and managing the academic life of the centre, and plays a crucial role in whole‑school strategy and development. You will inspire teachers to deliver high‑quality, communicative Task‑Based EFL lessons promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the MLA Safeguarding Policy.

DoSs are also responsible for communicating with the Centre Director and Group Leaders about academic related matters. Summer centres are very busy places and there may be duties to perform in addition to those detailed here.

Essential

• Must have a UK passport/right to work in the UK, and a valid DBS (England & Wales) or PVG (Scotland). If you’re based outside the UK, also a Criminal Record Check from your country of residence
• Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references
• EFL experience teaching teenagers
• Be proficient in the use of IT
• DELTA / Trinity DipTESOL / MA TESOL completed (or in progress if you have a TEFL Level 5 certificate)
• PGCE or PGCE PCET:
  Post Graduate Certificate in Education with ELT/TESOL
• PGCE in English or Foreign Languages or DELTM plus a TEFL Level 5 certificate (CELTA / Trinity CertTESOL or equivalent Ofqual recognised standards)
• Master’s degrees (MA/MSc etc) in ELT/TESOL or related subjects are also accepted but cannot be considered without a supervised teaching practice component

Desirable

• EFL Summer School Teaching/Managerial experience in Ireland or the UK
• Teacher Management experience
• Teacher Training experience
• Enhanced DBS/PVG registered on the Update Service
• First Aid Qualification

• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst…