EFL Instructor - Toronto - Move Language Ahead

Description

MLA (Move Language Ahead) is an industry leader in providing safe, educational, and cultural holidays to students from around the world. Each year thousands of students travel with MLA as part of our short‑term English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Along with our proprietary task‑based ESL curriculum, we also provide our students with great excursions featuring some of the most popular historical and tourist destinations across the globe.

MLA Welfare and Safeguarding Statement

MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal program. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organization 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 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 and provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy.

Position Overview

• Position: Part‑Time English Summer Instructor
• Responsible for: English lessons according to MLA TASK Time curriculum
• Reports to: Director of Studies
• Duration: Late June through mid‑August
• Location: MLA Toronto Metropolitan University
  Victoria Street
  Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada

Requirements

Essential

• Must have right to work in Canada and the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check is required; the completion of a satisfactory child abuse clearance may also be required.
• Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references.
• Maintain organisation of classes and students.
• Utilize and supplement the program curriculum to facilitate task/project‑based learning.
• Effectively use company software for student attendance and lesson tracking.
• Be pleasant, polite, and cooperative with fellow employees, vendors, and guests.

Desirable

• ESL Summer School Teaching experience in Canada.
• First Aid Qualification.

Person Specification

• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal).
• Self‑motivated and passionate about teaching.
• Ability to maintain organisation of classes, students, and curriculum.
• Ability to use and supplement program curriculum to facilitate excursion‑based learning.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to be pleasant, polite, and cooperative with fellow employees, group leaders, service providers and guests.
• Represent MLA values and model those values to colleagues and students.

Schedule

Session 1: 1 of July – 14 of July

Session 2: 17 of July – 30 of July

The MLA instructor is a part‑time, seasonal position (early July through early August) with MLA Move Language Ahead. Working under the direct supervision of the Director of Studies, instructors deliver one of five levels of the MLA ESL curriculum to international high‑school students attending a two‑week or three‑week cultural immersion program.

Instructors use MLA‑published curriculum and student eBooks (TASK time), with accompanying lesson plans provided. They may also supplement the curriculum with materials related to the topic, program location, or general Canadian culture.

Class Schedule:

• Morning lessons: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Afternoon lessons: 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Classes are taught Monday through Saturday in 90‑minute sections, totaling 30 paid instruction hours in a traditional two‑week program. Each lesson includes one unpaid 15‑minute break.

Instructors are not required to participate in excursions outside their assigned duties and must be available to teach both morning and afternoon lessons. Calendars are structured to allow instructors to teach more than one session if desired, provided sessions do not overlap. If you have no preference or open availability, we will work with you to maximise your session assignments. Instructors may teach up to three sessions.

Key Position Accountabilities

Teaching and Learning

• Prepare and adapt pre‑made lesson plans to suit class composition.
• Deliver well‑prepared ESL lessons at a range of levels, as indicated by the Director of Studies.
• Inspire and motivate students to improve learning skills through task‑based/project‑based learning.
• Differentiate and scaffold lessons to cater to mixed‑ability classes.
• Provide a variety of teaching activities that address diverse student learning needs.
• Integrate extra‑curricular activities and the "Canadian Experience" into lessons as required.
• Support the completion of tasks in the provided TASK time book to help students achieve their goals.
• Be prepared to cover classes when necessary.
• Assist with speaking‑level testing if required.
• Ensure classrooms are secure, tidy, and any borrowed equipment is returned.
• Attend and actively contribute to weekly CPD (Continuing Professional Development) sessions.

Administrative Duties

• Complete attendance registers promptly and report absences to the Director of Studies.
• Mark and record student progress in accordance with induction guidelines and the teacher's handbook.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records of lesson plans, covered work, and other teaching‑related documentation.
• Prepare professional, typo‑free student reports within agreed deadlines.
• Liaise with the Director of Studies to ensure the accuracy of student data.
• Assist in the collection and analysis of student feedback.
• Input daily attendance, progress assessments, and end‑of‑course reports into the online classroom management system MLA Teacher Zone.

Program Setup

• Attend all required training and orientation meetings before the session starts.
• Review ESL curriculum, lesson plans and accompanying materials before the program begins.
• Participate in student orientation, introducing them to campus facilities such as classrooms, computer labs and the library.
• Deliver lessons to class sizes of 16 students.
• Supply additional materials to supplement the curriculum where necessary.
• Participate in and assist with the session graduation ceremony.

Equipment and Facilities

• Take responsibility for maintaining teaching resources and ensuring premises are neat.
• Report any classroom or resource damage promptly.

Safeguarding and Welfare

• Ensure the safety and welfare of students and be vigilant for potential welfare issues.
• Report any concerns about students' safety, well‑being, or academic performance to the Director of Studies immediately.
• Be aware of and comply with relevant fire, health and safety regulations in the classroom and around the centre.
• Promote the welfare of students and adhere to the Safeguarding Policy.

Training and Professional Development

• Complete all required training courses during the MLA onboarding process.
• Attend in‑centre induction sessions and actively participate in discussions and feedback.
• Adhere to the guidelines outlined in the teacher's handbook and policies provided during recruitment.
• Set personal developmental goals to work on during the program.
• Participate in CPD sessions and seek feedback through observations and appraisals.
• Provide guidance to peers when requested and seek support for professional development when needed.

Compensation

• The starting rate of pay for this position is CAD 25.00 /hour and will be paid on a bi‑weekly basis.
• Built into this hourly rate is the outside the classroom preparation that is required for these sessions.
• Instructors will be paid as follows:
  • 30 hours for the completion of 30 instruction hours during each two‑week session.
  • Mandatory training will be paid.
  • This position does not provide housing.
  • Returning teachers will receive a bonus of + CAD 1 /hour for every previous year taught with MLA.

MLA Reputation & Code of Conduct

• Actively support MLA in its mission to provide top quality programs.
• Provide courses that support and enable students to realise their potential and achieve their academic targets.
• Be dressed in a presentable professional way.
• Start on time; if this is not possible you must inform your manager as early as possible.
• Develop a good rapport with the students and group leaders and avoid absences as much as possible.
• Follow the code of conduct specifically detailed in your Handbook.

Physical Demands

• Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? No
• Do the essential functions of this job require standing? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require walking up stairs? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require stretching? No
• Do the essential functions of this job require bending? No

Affirmative Action Statement

MLA Move Language Ahead is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, Vietnam‑era/disabled veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other non‑job‑related criteria.