Spanish Language Tutor

DEPARTMENT: Modern Languages Centre
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: Modern Languages
POSITION TITLE: Spanish Language Tutor
LOCATION: Suzhou Campus
SALARY: The salary for the positions ranges from RMB16937-RMB30762 based on qualifications and experience
POSITION OPEN DATE: January 17^th, 2020 / Start date: August 2020
ADVERTISEMENT CLOSING DATE: February 21^st, 2020
JOB ID: 995958
CONTRACT TYPE: Full-time

UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a unique collaborative institution and the first joint-venture university in China to offer both UK (University of Liverpool) and Chinese (Ministry of Education) accredited undergraduate degrees for all programmes. Formed in 2006, the first cohort of students graduated in August 2010. The University now has over 15,000 students studying on campus. The language of instruction is English. XJTLU aims to become truly research-led, and has recently committed significant investment into research development and the expansion of PhD student numbers on campus.

XJTLU is located in the Higher Education Town of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP). Suzhou has been ranked the 74^th most liveable city in the 2018 Global Liveability Index. Additionally, it is well-connected via nearby airports to cities such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and Taipei, and via high-speed rail to other major cities in China. SIP is a major growth zone, including operations run by nearly one-fifth of the Fortune 500 top global companies. Greater Suzhou is now the fourth largest concentration of economic activity in China in terms of GDP, and the SIP has a higher GDP per capita than the UK. The broader Suzhou area encompasses the spirit of both old and new in China, with the historic old town’s canals, UNESCO World Heritage Site gardens, and the I.M. Pei-designed Suzhou Museum attracting millions of tourists annually. SIP offers an excellent quality of life with high environmental standards. The nearby Jinji Lake provides attractive views, by day and by night, and there is a variety of shopping facilities, international and local restaurants, entertainment hubs and nightlife. Suzhou is also home to four international schools.

The Modern Languages Centre (MLC) is a growing, dynamic and international teaching centre, currently with over 20 full-time teaching staff from a range of backgrounds. We are currently involved in the teaching of Chinese, Spanish, and Japanese. The MLC is part of the wider XJTLU Languages Cluster which includes the English Language Centre whose primary focus is on the teaching of English for Academic Purposes.

Both the MLC and the wider university have a strong commitment to the professional development of teaching staff. At the university level, new staff are enrolled free-of-charge on a University of Liverpool postgraduate certificate programme, completion of which leads to fellowship of the UK Higher Education Academy. The MLC also holds regular professional development events and training days. While the MLC ‘s primary mission is teaching, with no specific research remit, some funding is available for staff to present at relevant conferences, provided that this does not interfere with teaching duties.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Applications are invited for Spanish language teaching positions in the Modern Languages Centre (MLC) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Candidates are sought for August 2020 start date.

There will be opportunities for Spanish language tutors to be involved in a range of different types of delivery, including:

• Compulsory credit-bearing Spanish language modules on the university’s “International Business with a Language BA degree programme, which allows students to study Spanish continuously through their degree up to CEFR B2 level 
• Optional credit-bearing Spanish language modules available to undergraduate students
• Spanish language courses that are an optional component of postgraduate degrees
• Out-of-class Spanish language support activities
• Coordination of content for an overseas summer Spanish immersion programme in Argentina

There will also be the opportunity for a member of the Spanish teaching team to take on a managerial role with responsibility for the coordination and leadership of the Spanish teaching programmes. Additionally, there are opportunities for all staff to develop their careers by taking on wider managerial and administrative roles, as well as by contributing to both MLC and university-level committees. All managerial, administrative and committee roles are appointed to on a fixed-term basis, thus providing all staff members with a range of options to take on responsibilities in areas that interest them.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Successful applicants should be educated to at least Master’s degree level in a relevant area (e.g. Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language; Hispanic Studies; Latin American Studies), and should have at least two years of post-master’s relevant teaching experience, preferably at university level or in a commercial environment. Additionally, applicants should have a good standard of written and spoken English, as this is the working language of the university.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates who can demonstrate a dynamic, current and innovative engagement in one or more of the following areas: technology enhanced language learning (especially pedagogical uses of VR/AI); content and language integrated learning (especially where the focus is on inter- and transcultural dimensions of contemporary cultures and societies); Spanish for professional purposes (including translation, public service interpreting and multilingual working environments); communicative and task-based methodologies (especially syllabus and materials design including cross-mapped benchmarking and skills-oriented assessment); and problem-based language learning (preferably with emotional intelligence development embedded). In addition, we are looking to expand teaching on and through the varieties of Latin American Spanish.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Members of Academic Staff are entitled to subsidies for accommodation, travel, and children’s educational, medical insurance, and a one-time relocation allowance is provided. Overseas staff may receive a tax “holiday,” depending on nationality and personal circumstances.

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS:

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas. Please be advised candidates over 55 may not be eligible for PRC work visa. Note that only candidates from Spain, Mexico, Chile and Argentina are allowed to apply due to China National Immigration Administration Entry & Exit Bureau directives.

TO APPLY:

Please submit all applications to Academicpositions@xjtlu.edu.cn. Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter specifying your suitability for the role
• A current CV, including date of birth, country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact details for three references

Enquiries may be addressed to the Staff Management Team at AcademicPositions@xjtlu.edu.cn. Please quote the position and job ID in your enquiry. For informal enquiries, please contact Head of Spanish Department of XJTLU Modern Language Centre (MLC), Mr. Alejandro Castellano, at alejandro.caste@xjtlu.edu.cn

Applications should be received by the closing date stated above.