Language Director

French Studies is an integral part of a dynamic and forward-looking School of Modern Languages in the Faculty of Arts. French language is studied by highly qualified and well-motivated undergraduates, either as a mandatory part of a Single Honours degree, as part of a Joint Honours degree with another modern language or as part of a Joint Honours degree with another subject.   French language is also taught as an option to students from all Faculties of the University and as part of the University-wide Language Programme.

The Language Director in French will be expected to contribute flexibly across the full range of language teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.  This may include courses that focus on professional language use, aspects of business culture, translation and interpreting studies, or the practice of language teaching. 

S/he will be responsible for managing a team of language teaching staff and work with the Director of Foreign Language Teaching to ensure that the French curriculum continues to be innovative and forward looking in its approach to the challenges of language learning in the 21st century.  In addition, s/he will have oversight and responsibility for the Year Abroad in French-speaking countries and support and coordinate extracurricular activities.

The Successful candidate will also play a key role in quality assurance and embedding and disseminating best practice.  This may include publication of practice-based research and support for colleagues engaging in scholarship related to the teaching and learning of languages.

We wish to appoint a candidate who can take initiative and play an instrumental role in the life of the School.  In particular, we are committed to an enterprising outlook, engaging with potential partners both within the University and in the city of Bristol and beyond.

The successful candidate will have native or near native competence in French and English, a relevant postgraduate qualification in language teaching or applied linguistics and  extensive experience of language teaching in Higher Education.

The closing date for applications is 24 April 2017.  The selection process will include a presentation and an interview panel in the week commencing 15 May 2017.

Applications must be made using the University of Bristol’s on-line application system. Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Ian Foster, Director of Foreign Language Teaching, email: ian.foster@bristol.ac.uk.