The Language Gallery (TGL) is a specialist institution that offers a Level 4 CertHE Business Management course to Widening Participation students in an agreement with St Mary's University, Twickenham.

The Certificate of Higher Education: Business Management course is Level 4 course for The Language Gallery. We offer students from a diverse range of non-standard backgrounds the opportunity to gain a Level 4 qualification then progress to employment or Year 2 of a business-related undergraduate degree. The School aims to create a supportive environment in which students can feel nurtured and encouraged to reach their potential, providing them with the technical, academic, business, professional, and social skills that will serve them in both university and workplace settings.

As part of the Global University Systems Group, we promote a Student Focus, Communication, Collaboration, Respect, Competence, Collaboration, Integrity and Entrepreneurship.

All of these are reflected in all staff members day to day activities.

Job Title: Academic Mentor and EAP Lecturer

Role Type: Fixed term

Location: London

Salary: 30k-32k

Working Hours: 9-6

With a twofold role, the Academic Mentor will provide guidance and coach students on a wide range of academic and pastoral topics and teach academic skills and language through a series of lessons and workshops. Often, academic mentoring sessions can act as space for dialogic education, where Mentors and students can discuss students’ studies and the links of the content to themselves, current events and the academic work required.

Academic Mentors will contribute and develop high-quality academic mentoring and teaching for a cohort of students, supporting, developing and implementing strategies, which will contribute towards effective learning, behaviour and achievement throughout the student's time at the School, which then enhance their attendance, engagement and retention. Postholders will proactively seek to improve attention, progression, and achievement figures by contributing to a healthy, safe, happy and challenging environment in which students feel supported and can work hard, free of disruption, develop mutual respect, grow in confidence and achieve their potential.

The post holder will participate in team meetings, and any training required and work with a hands-on approach to ensure, together with the other Team Members, the administration of TLG HE is smooth and fully compliant.

The pillars of TLG HE are:

-Student recruitment

-Student retention

-Student progression

-Student and staff satisfaction

As part of the Global University Systems Group, we promote Student Focus, Communication, Collaboration, Respect, Competence, Collaboration, Integrity and Entrepreneurship.

All of these are reflected in all staff members day to day activities.

Key Responsibilities:

To typically include but not be limited to:

• Teach Academic language and skills (EAP) to groups, online and face-to-face, through workshops and lessons.
• Ensure students have all skills and language required to be able to complete all Workbooks and Module Assessments
• Ensure students receive an education appropriate to their needs by removing barriers to learning and developing effective learning behaviour.
• Assist in and develop appropriate intervention strategies, working with Programme Leaders and tutors, to ensure that students achieve and develop learning behaviour
• Commit to developing strategies that raise student achievement, which can be adapted in tutorial/academic mentoring
• Work closely with the academic and administrative teams to ensure that the needs of all students and those with special education needs are met
• Identify those students who would benefit most from intervention work, and working with others, draw up and implement an action plan for each student who needs particular support (and assess the impact of existing interventions in situations where the student is already receiving additional support)
• Monitor and report on the implementation of all plans drawn up to remove barriers for effective learning and transition to education for all students
• Ensuring that all support work for the student is appropriately managed in an integrated way that is focused on student attainment
• Promoting the speedy and effective transfer of student information across schools and/or colleges to ensure that Management receive appropriate weekly reports on individual student progression
• Liaising closely with all partners, programme leaders and academics on effective implementation of the mentoring programme
• Develop a full knowledge and appreciation of the range of activities, courses, opportunities, organisations and individuals that could be drawn upon to provide extra support for students
• Contribute to discussions, meetings and the management and administration of the mentoring programme
• Undertake tutorials and individual 1-to-1 meetings with students to support and develop the students’ study skills with a priority directed towards completion of the student's coursework to a satisfactory standard
• Compile Individual Learning Plans, utilising the student SMART action plans to complete tasks on time
• Follow up on student attendance and maintain a detailed record of each interaction
• Ensure learning issues are identified, and appropriate remedial action is put in place
• Share and implement good practices within the GUS Group

Specifically, the responsibilities of an academic mentor are to:

• Provide students with academic guidance and feedback on students’ progress and performance, and discuss any academic challenges they may experience
• Provide pastoral guidance on non-academic issues and refer students, as necessary, to the appropriate support services within the School
• Implement the provisions outlined in Inclusion Plans for students with long-term medical conditions, specific learning differences and/or disabilities in liaison with the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service
• Students will be invited to meet their Academic Mentor at least four times during the term. These meetings may take the form of 1-2-1 sessions or small group gatherings so that mentees can meet one another and discuss issues of mutual interest
• Comment on and provide a general assessment of students’ progression in their teaching and learning
• Work with relevant stakeholders across the School to support the student in terms of their engagement with their course, well-being and overall student experience
• Inform the Programme Leaders and Student Services Manager, tutors and Admin teams of any students whose attendance and progress is not satisfactory

Qualification & Education:

Essential

• A degree or higher in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• CELTA or equivalent

Desirable

• Teaching qualification (PG Cert or equivalent).
• HEA fellowship and/or PGCAP

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviour

Essential

• Good classroom management skills
• Excellent and relevant subject knowledge, communicative teaching methodologies
• The ability to work and communicate effectively with colleagues across the GUS group in order to make best use of the resources available in support of student success
• Knowledge of the range of support services available for students to access and all relevant policies and procedures
• The ability to draw up realistic SMART action plans for disaffected and underachieving students
• The ability to demonstrate empathy, communication, listening and interpersonal skills when dealing with adult learners, and an awareness of the particular challenges they face
• The ability to adopt an organised and methodical approach to work, to be self-sufficient and self-directed in pursuit of supporting students and achieving targets
• Good administrative and comprehensive reporting skills
• The ability to work as part of a team with other stakeholders, sharing knowledge and experience
• The ability to work flexibly in support of students from a range of responsibilities and from diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of awarding body regulations and the ability to work within these

Knowledge of safeguarding and associated principles (the Prevent agenda etc.)

Desirable

• Involvement with professional bodies

Experience

Essential

• Experience teaching EAP or similar to adult students in or going to a University
• Experience in establishing good relationships with students to motivate, inspire and support them to achieve success
• Experience in working creatively with students to identify strengths and targets for development/achievement
• Experience in demonstrating a positive attitude to working with challenging students from a range of backgrounds
• Ability to communicate across language and cultural barriers
• Ability to build good relationships with internal staff
• Good working knowledge of Office 365
• Good knowledge of databases and record keeping
• 
  

Desirable

• Experience in identifying appropriate resources and agencies of support
• Experience working with students with educational support needs

To apply, please send an up to date copy of your CV and Covering Letter stating out clearly how you meet the essential requirements or contact a member of the team to discuss further.

We acknowledge receipt of your resume for a position at Global University Systems and sincerely appreciate your interest in our company.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue for the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish you every success.

Global University Systems is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.