Many thanks for your interest in joining the Centre for English Language Education. We offer a wide-range of employment positions, from English for Academic Purposes to teaching foundations of Business/Economics, Sciences, Liberal Arts and Design Graphics. We develop our courses to University of Nottingham standards, and also have a Professional Education and Training branch, who run very successful teacher training, commercial and community outreach courses. The scope of CELE has created a unique, multicultural and dynamic team, with staff who praise the career development opportunities and support here. The longevity of talented tutors, lecturers and managers at CELE is also testament to the quality of the students, and our commitment to provide them with the best possible introduction to university life.
With over 33,500 contact hours of learning delivered to 2000+ new students by over 120 teachers and supported by a team of 14 administrators, CELE is one of the most impactful departments for students at UNNC. We are one of the largest English for Academic Purposes (EAP) centres in the world - currently supporting students on UNNC Preliminary Year modules, presessionals, summer schools and in-sessional language and academic skills support programmes.
Our Preliminary Year is attended by 99% of UG students at UNNC and helps them make the critical transition from high school to university with language, study skills and foundation disciplinary content education. Our commitment to students also includes extracurricular language and academic skills development through CELE in-sessional provision WritingLab@UNNC, supporting students on their Y1 – Y4 journey at UNNC.
CELE contributes in many unique ways to the growth of the University including engagement with the community beyond UNNC. Our unique Professional Education & Training team deliver exceptional external teacher training through CELE Commercial and Outreach programmes. Our Outreach Teacher Training project has trained nearly 400 teachers from under-resourced areas in China, and recent collaboration with UNESCO has provided training for teachers in under-resourced areas around the world. CELE is one of the strongest supporters of the Nottingham Recognition Scheme, with 11 Senior Fellows and 18 Fellows of AdvanceHE (S/FHEA) on staff. We are also one of only two institutions in Mainland China, and four outside of the UK, with modules that have been accredited by BALEAP (the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes).
Proof of the impact from CELE are in our outstanding Nottingham Student Experience Survey results - ‘Overall Learning Satisfaction’ from Preliminary Year students rated 92.4% in 2020-21, 93.3% in 2021-22, and 93.8% in 2022-23.
As we strive to continue providing high-quality teaching and academic skills preparation to our students in UNNC and beyond, we invite applications for appointments in the following areas:
CELE is committed to attracting talent from around the world to join us, and seeks to appoint proactive teaching professionals that are resilient, creative and looking to take the next steps in their professional development as teachers.
Candidates should have:
For Content Tutors
- Two years of full-time teaching experience in a related discipline
- Master's degree in teaching-related discipline
- Recognised qualified teacher status as evidenced by an appropriate PGCE (or willingness to complete such a programme) or other professionally accredited qualification
- Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
- English as a first language, or equivalent English language competence
For Senior Content Tutors
As above, but also to include:
- Ability to analyse student needs and evaluate provision of teaching programmes, with foundation year or similar curriculum and materials development experience
- Ability to prioritise, allocate and oversee activity within a team, and to manage, support and evaluate the performance of others
- Organisational awareness and the ability to work constructively and collegially with a diverse body of staff under pressure to meet project deadlines
- Substantial experience of management within a Higher Education context.
- Expertise in curriculum, syllabus, materials and assessment design
- A good practical understanding of institutional needs analysis and the ability to successfully manage this process across a range of academic disciplines
- Academic project management at a senior level
For EAP Tutors
- Substantial experience of full-time EFL teaching together with significant EAP teaching (e.g. UK University summer ‘Presessional’ teaching)
- MA in TESOL / ELT / Applied Linguistics (or equivalent).
- Evidence of an assessed teaching practicum contained therein
- Recognized formal teaching qualification (if not part of degree), such as:
- Cambridge DELTA
- LTCL DipTESOL
- PGCHE
- Ability to work in a team and to teach and assess to agreed criteria
- Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
- English as a first language, or equivalent English language competence
Employee Testimonials
As someone working at the early stage of my career, my experience at CELE has been pivotal in shaping my professional journey. Its inclusive, supportive, diverse, and equitable environment ensures that everyone feels valued and respected regardless of position or experience. Colleagues readily assist newcomers, facilitating a seamless transition. The abundance of opportunities for professional development, including financially supported conferences and courses, alongside guidance from experienced colleagues, has been integral to my growth. Clear career progression pathways to roles such as senior tutor and module convener underscore CELE’s steadfast commitment to staff advancement. Moreover, the university’s exceptional facilities and welcoming campus further enhance the overall experience. From sports activities to cultural events, it ensures a vibrant environment for staff and their families. Overall, CELE and UNNC foster an environment where both personal and professional development can thrive.
At UNNC, the experience of working as a tutor is incredibly enriching. The university provides a unique blend of innovative teaching methods and a lively cultural exchange. The diversity of student backgrounds and the collaborative academic environment creates opportunities for educators to customize their teaching methods, which encourages curiosity and deep understanding among students. This dynamic setting not only enhances educational outcomes but also fosters personal growth, making UNNC an ideal place for both teaching and learning. Besides its academic and research excellence, UNNC has more than 100 student organisations and societies providing a rich and diverse extra-curricular calendar to boost student’s confidence – to interact socially with others; extend their social networks; and provide them with new skills and abilities. Above all, the university offers an important space to have fun and relax away from the pressures of school work. The supportive community and the students' passion for knowledge contribute to a fulfilling experience, highlighting UNNC as a premier destination for prospective students seeking a transformative education.
CELE Preliminary Year Content is a career pathway that offers a well-rounded teaching experience portfolio, whether it is to strengthen our learner-centred pedagogical views and practice or to provide various opportunities to use our creativity and innovation in areas of teaching and learning (T&L). We actively participate in University-wide interdisciplinary collaborative projects such as for annual T&L Grant schemes. We foster a positive work environment with continuous support from CELE colleagues when engaging in professional training, mentoring, peer observation, and dialogues e.g., via the PGCHE and Teaching and Learning Observation College. Digitalisation is also an area in which CELE excels, responding to the rapid growth of cutting-edge technology including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality (VR/AR/MR). For example, in the UNNC VRoom Lab that I lead, we are able to produce VR/AR/MR scenarios that are created, modified, or gamified from our teaching content, promoting modern experiential learning in a simulated environment for our PY students.