British Council English Language Assistants Programme

Benefits & funding

• Every placement is paid, but the form of payment and amount depend on destination.
• For 2026–27, published monthly figures were €1,630 net in Austria; €1,593.46 net in Belgium; CAD 2,600 gross in Canada; €1,010.67 gross in France; a €1,000 net stipend in Germany; €850 net in Italy; €800–€1,000 net in Spain; and CHF 2,600 net in Switzerland. Argentina’s allowance was to be confirmed nearer appointment because of inflation.
• Placements lasted five months in Argentina; eight months in Austria, Belgium and Italy; nine months in Canada; seven months in France; five or eight months in Germany; eight or nine months in Spain; and ten or eleven months in Switzerland.
• There is no British Council programme fee. Participants pay their own return travel, insurance, accommodation, utilities, visas where needed, vaccinations where needed, pre-departure travel where required, and an International Child Protection Certificate costing about £99.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be at least 18 by the application deadline, have English equivalent to CEFR C2, and have lived in the United Kingdom for at least five of the previous ten years.
• The minimum academic standard is UK A-level, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification.
• Applicants must pass the required criminal-record check, complete the full post and have participated in the programme no more than three times previously.
• Destination-language requirements range from none for Spain to A1, A2 or B1 for other routes.
• Passport and work-authorisation rules vary by destination: Argentina accepts UK passports only; Canada accepts UK or Irish passports; Austria accepts UK, Irish, EU, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand passports; Belgium accepts any passport subject to work-authorisation eligibility; France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland each publish their own eligible passport categories. A person holding only a Spanish passport cannot apply for Spain.
• Destination age limits also vary: some routes require applicants to be 20 or 21, several cap applicants at 35, Canada and Spain generally cap applicants at 60, and Italy publishes no upper limit. Applicants must check the chosen destination’s full route-specific rules.

Application process

1. 1
   Check the general and destination-specific eligibility, language, passport and work-authorisation rules.
2. 2
   Create a profile on the British Council online platform with a permanent email address when the next round opens.
3. 3
   Complete the eligibility, personal details, language, education, employment, background, support and placement-preference sections.
4. 4
   Nominate an eligible academic or professional referee and submit the online application.
5. 5
   Ensure the referee completes the separate online reference by its deadline.
6. 6
   Complete any requested telephone assessment or destination-specific video interview.
7. 7
   If shortlisted, await the overseas partner’s allocation decision, then obtain the instructed child-protection certificate and any visa or residence permit.

Program timeline

1. 28 January 2026, 13:00 GMT

   2026–27 applications closed.

2. Final reference deadline.

   11 February 2026, 13:00 GMT

3. After applications closed

   Assessment and any required interviews.

4. Successful candidates received allocation details and prepared for travel.

   Summer 2026

5. Placements began, depending on destination.

   Mid-August to October 2026

6. Placements ended, depending on destination and route.

   February to August 2027

7. Autumn 2026

   The 2027–28 round is expected to open; no exact date is published.