Teaching Associate in Catalan and Spanish

Job Title: Teaching Associate in Catalan and Spanish

Posting Start Date: 28/07/2026

Job Id: 2934

School/Department: Languages, Arts & Societies

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary per annum (£): 38,784-51,753

Closing Date: 17/08/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

In partnership with the Institut Ramon Llull (IRL), the Modern Languages Teaching Centre (MLTC) in the School of Languages, Arts and Societies seeks to appoint a Teaching Associate in Catalan Language and Spanish Studies who will be responsible for assisting the Co-ordinator for Catalan language provision (Beginner to Proficient) and the Programme Lead for the BA in Modern Languages and Cultures in delivering teaching these languages, developing and updating materials as appropriate. You will supervise and support the work of colleagues on team-taught modules as appropriate, take part in administrative duties in relation to these courses and to the Catalan and Spanish provisions, and contribute to the academic activities of the MLTC as a whole.

You will have native or near-native proficiency in Catalan and Spanish, with knowledge of current affairs and cultural life in Catalan- and Spanish-speaking countries and regions, a good track record in teaching both languages, especially Catalan, in Higher Education for general and possibly specific purposes, and experience of acting as module leader or leading a small team. You will have a degree involving Catalan (or equivalent experience), ideally a teaching qualification, and a strong commitment to professional development and the delivery of a high-quality, innovative language-learning experience to students.

This is a unique opportunity to join a highly motivated team of academic and administrative professionals in a supportive environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work under the supervision of the Catalan Co-ordinator/Programme Lead and in collaboration with other teaching colleagues and the Support team to ensure the administration, delivery and development of modules within own area to the highest standards, in line with the Centre's guidelines and strategies.
• Deliver teaching courses in Catalan language and seminars in Spanish culture studies up to 15 hours a week (pro-rata of a full-time post):
  • Plan and prepare linguistic and cultural teaching and independent study materials and resources, maintaining the VLE as appropriate, communicate subject matter and encourage critical engagement with it, observe and react to student interventions, providing on-going oral and written feedback, respond to questions outside class times and to contingencies in course delivery, liaising effectively with staff and students both face-to-face and at a distance.
  • Design and administer formative and summative assessment for Catalan courses in accordance with guidelines, including design and preparation of assessments, marking, second marking and providing written/oral feedback, meeting established deadlines.
  • Carry out course evaluation, including facilitating student feedback, reflecting on own and team teaching design and delivery, and implementing ideas for improving own and team performance.
  • Carry out administrative duties relating to own teaching.

• Assist the Co-ordinator for Catalan in administrative duties (e.g. collating material and information for External Examiners, participating in the registration of students and Open Days), possibly taking delegated responsibility as appropriate.
• Develop and/or contribute to co-curricular and extracurricular activities for students.
• In collaboration with the Institut Ramon Llull (IRL), facilitate the dissemination of Catalan language and culture regionally, organise and run exams leading to the certificates of knowledge of the Catalan language (certificats de coneixements de llengua catalana), and promote to students additional learning opportunities made available by the IRL.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings and quality assurance processes in respect of learning and teaching as requested (e.g. Exam Boards, periodic reviews, annual reflection exercise).

• Develop own profile as an expert language teacher by taking an active part in Continuing Professional Development and Scholarship schemes and activities organized by the MLTC, the wider School/University (e.g. training events, Learning & Teaching workshops, scholarship project, peer observation and Staff Review Development schemes), keeping abreast of national trends in language teaching through relevant literature and conferences, and disseminating own findings internally and externally through publications, conferences, and/or workshops.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A good honours degree in a relevant subject area (or equivalent experience).

Essential

Application/interview

Native or near-native proficiency in Catalan and Spanish with knowledge of current affairs and cultural life in related countries and regions.

Essential

Application/interview

Proven teaching ability at undergraduate level to non-native speakers in Catalan language (essential) and Spanish cultural studies (desirable), ideally at all levels and including for specific purposes.

Essential

Application/interview

Experience of designing teaching and assessment materials for Catalan as a foreign language.

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities.

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in English, Catalan, and Spanish, evidenced for Catalan by a language certificate at level C2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (or equivalent).

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively and efficiently with colleagues and students.

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent digital skills, including working with Google Apps in an office environment.

Essential

Application/interview

Solid experience of using a virtual learning environment (e.g. Blackboard) to support teaching and learning as well as familiarity with other online teaching tools and resources.

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to work as an effective member of a team, to support the work of colleagues, and to teach as part of a team.

Essential

Application/interview

A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, with an ability to meet tight deadlines and prioritize.

Essential

Application/interview

A confident and professional manner and a good level of personal initiative, judgement and flexibility to meet the demands of the post.

Essential

Application/interview

A commitment to creating a positive, supportive and inclusive working environment for all staff

Essential

Application/interview

An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to promoting and embedding equality, diversity & inclusion principles and practices and demonstration of capacity to meet the educational needs of a diversity of learners.

Essential

Application/interview

A postgraduate qualification in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (or equivalent).

Desirable

Application/interview

Experience of developing new language modules.

Desirable

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

£38,784 - £47,389 annum pro-rata. Potential to progress to £51,753 per annum pro-rata through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement

Working 11 months out of 12

Duration

Permanent with a start date of 01/09/2026

Line manager

Director of the MLTC

Direct reports

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/las

For informal enquiries about this job, contact Oranna Speicher, Director of the MLTC: on o.speicher@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in August 2026. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 17th August. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Oranna Speicher on o.speicher@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.