EFL Director of Studies - Summer

Move Language Ahead; California (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Full board

Job summary

Move Language Ahead seeks a Director of Studies (DoS) for MLA California at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. The DoS will lead and manage the academic life of the center, supervise teachers and staff, and report to the Academic Manager.

The role is residential, six days a week, with contracts June–August and housing provided. You will plan and deliver Task-Based English lessons, organize inductions/CPD, coordinate student placement, and ensure MLA standards across the program.

Qualifications

• Must have right to work in the US and clear background checks.
• Proven ability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references.
• Experience in ESL or English teaching with teenagers.
• Proficient in IT applications.

Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver, and oversee the academic program and its smooth operation.
• Allocate students to classes and adjust levels as needed.
• Organize inductions and CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders.
• Represent MLA values and report to the Academic Manager.
• Maintain a 6-day per week schedule with residential duties.
• Communicate with Center Director and Head Office on academic matters.
• Contribute to school-wide strategy and development.

Skills

ESL Teaching

IT Proficiency

Job description

Director of Studies (DoS)– MLA California, Claremont at Pitzer College

Job Type: Residential, Full-Time

Reports to: Academic Manager

Responsible for: Assistant DoS, Teachers, Students and Group Leaders

Location: MLA California at Pitzer College

Pitzer College

1050 N Mills Ave

Claremont, CA 91711

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, youngpeopleand vulnerable adults. All students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal program. The primary concernat all timesis the interests and safety of each student and the organization takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm,discriminationor 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.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Ensure the planning,deliveryand smooth running of the academic program

• Monitor effective completion of all tasks

• Allocate students to classes and make changes if necessary

• Assign level and material to classes

• Organize inductions, and CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders

• Represent MLA values

• Report to the Academic Manager

• 6 days per week

• Residential employment available from late June – mid-August

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 center and plays a crucial role in whole-school strategy and development. You will inspire teachers to deliver high-quality, communicative Task-Based English lessons.DoSsare also responsible for communicating with the Center Director and Group Leaders about academic-related matters. Summer centers arevery busyplaces and there may be duties to perform in addition to those detailed here.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Must have right to work in the US and the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check isrequired; the completion of a satisfactory child abuse clearance may also be berequired

• Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references

• ESL or English teaching experience with teenagers

• Be proficient in the use of IT

Desirable

• ESL or English Summer School Teaching/Managerial experience in the US

• Teacher Management experience

• Teacher Training experience

• First Aid Qualification

Person Specification

• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilstmaintainingproper professional boundaries

• Display absolute commitment to the highest standards of professional behavior and,at all times, to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children

• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)

• Be committed to continuous personal and professional development

• Team player

• Motivate and inspire teachers sensitively and constructively and, where necessary, challenge colleagues assertively.

• Self-motivated and passionate about driving up standards in management,teachingand learning

• Be determined, well-organized and extremely hard-working

• Ability to work accurately and calmly and show resilience when under pressure.

• Be supportive and help staff with the use of IT

• Ability to provide creative ideas to supplement program curriculum tofacilitatelearning

• Be willing and able to contribute to the wider extracurricular and pastoral life of a summer school.

• Customer orientated approach: highly aware of cultural sensitivities. Communicate clearly and persuasively with Group Leaders and students to ensure procedures are followed.

• Ready toinitiateand manage change, where necessary.

SCHEDULE

June 29, 2026– August 13, 2026

*Contract dates may vary to meet the needs of the program

The Residential Director of Studies (DoS) contract involves a6-day workweek, with one24-hour period offper week. Classes are typically taught fromMonday through Saturday,with90-minute sections.

Class Schedule

• Morning lessons: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

• Afternoon lessons: 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

You will notbe requiredtoparticipatein excursions outside your assigned duties. However, given the demanding nature of MLA programs, you may occasionally be asked toassistoutside your standard working hours to ensure the smooth operation of the center.

KEY POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES

Academics in the center

• Take overall responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning within the school

• Develop and implement MLA’s educational philosophy and foster a culture of best practice

• Manage the MLA Boards software and keep all records up to date

• Be available to Group Leaders, listen carefully and respectfully, and accommodate their requests as much as possible while ensuring MLA procedures are followed

• Be flexible and aware of cultural differences when explaining academic decisions/procedures to Group Leaders

• Advise the Academic Manager on all academic matters in the center and request assistance from Head Office

• Attend any management training or meetings as required

• Support the Center Director and work collaboratively with Center Administrator and Activity Manager to ensure the successful running of the center and program when necessary; including assisting in the staff induction and take an active part in discussion and feedback

• Provide pastoral care when needed

• Residential positions might be on call during the night

• Promote and develop the academic curriculum and academic life of the school

• Complete all administrative tasks require effectively

• Timetable teachers

• Center and classroom set-up

• Manage student admissions and monitor arrangements for placement tests

• Cover lessons when necessary and motivate students to improve their learning skills

• Organize certificates and run graduation ceremony

Staff Management

• Lead and manage the Academic Team in the center by encouraging,supportingand challenging teachers andADoSstomaintainMLA’s high academic standards

• Ensure there is a clear communication channel with staff and have an open-door policy

• Monitor staff performance and teachers prompt completion of all administrative tasks required

• Ensure teachers prepare lessons and adapt material/stages to their class composition

• Chair academic meetings in the center

• Be the first port of call for any teacher in need of advice or support

• Cover for absent staff

• Arrange cover for absent staff: record and monitor all absences

• Supervise the preparation of student reports within agreed deadlines

• Inform the Academic Manager of all Continuous Professional Development programs and academic needs in the center

• Delegate tasks to theADoSwith necessary support and guidance

Training & CPD

• Support teachers in delivering the Task-Based learning syllabus

• Work with theADOIn designing all Continuous Professional Development programs

• Carry out inductions

• If TEFLQ, carry out formal observations and appraisals in line with the MLA observation guidelines and rubric

• Inspire and encourage teachers to deliver CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders in relation to the center needs

Administrative

• Assist the Academic Manager with student admissions, monitor and manage arrangements for entrance testing and assessment

• Oversee the allocation of staff in consultation with the Academic Manager

• Oversee the timetabling and administration of preparation

• Monitor live updates of student attendance on the MLA Boards and Teacher Zone

• Supervise the completion of up-to-date teaching records on the MLA Boards and Teacher Zone

• Supervise the preparation of student’s reports and/or course reports within agreed deadlines and ensure they are professional and free of typos

• Provide cover teaching when necessary

Equipment & Facilities

• Maintain and monitor teaching resources and premises

• Ensure teachers’ room and classrooms are left secure and tidy after use

• Ensure borrowed equipment has been returned

• Help develop, advance and expand teaching resources

Safeguarding & Welfare

• Promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the Safeguarding Policy.

• Provide safety and welfare assistance to students

• Be vigilant for possible welfare problems of students

• Inform your DoS of any absences from classes immediately

• Report any issues which may be affecting students’ safety, wellbeing and academic performance

• Be aware of relevant fire, health and safety issues in the classroom and around the center

COMPENSATION

The Director of Studies position is classified as exempt and will receive a weekly salary commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and experience. The starting salary is$900 per week. This position provides housing and full board.

• Residential rates include full board and lodging

• Paid training and induction

• Work as part of a strong team and gain experience

• Opportunities for professional development e.g., observations, team teaching

MLA REPUTATION & CODE OF CONDUCT

• Actively support MLA in its mission to provide top quality programs

• Provide courses that will support and enable the students to realize 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,color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, Vietnam-era/disabled veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other non-job-related criteria.