Language Lecturer in Spanish

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – Spanish Division of Modern Languages Centre

SCHOOL: School of Languages

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: Spanish Language Teaching 

ADVERTISEMENT CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-Term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended

XJTLU

Located in Suzhou, China, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a young, dynamic and EMI university founded in 2006, and is a unique collaborative institution and first joint-venture university in China to offer both UK (University of Liverpool) and Chinese (Ministry of Education) accredited undergraduate degrees for more than 100 programmes. XJTLU also aims to become truly research-led and has committed significant investment into research development and the expansion of master’s and PhD student numbers on campus. The university has over 18,000 students and nearly 1000 academic staff representing in excess of 90 nationalities. For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

The School of Languages is a growing, dynamic and international centre, currently with over 200 full-time teaching staff from twelve different countries. We are involved in the teaching of English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and Modern Languages (currently Chinese, Spanish, and Japanese). Both the centre and the wider university have a strong commitment to the professional development of School of Languages teaching staff. At the university level, new staff are enrolled free-ofcharge on a University of Liverpool postgraduate certificate programme, completion of which leads to fellowship of the UK Higher Education Academy (HEA). The School of Languages also holds regular professional development events and training days. While the School of Languages is a teaching centre, with no specific research remit, some funding is available for staff to present at conferences that are relevant to the work of the centre, provided that this does not interfere with teaching duties. 

Department Overview

SPA Division is a solid, heterogeneous team of professionals highly committed with quality on learning & teaching on Spanish language as foreign language, but also engaged with promotion and expansion of Hispanic culture all over the world, through different ways and platforms: active research, internationalisation, interdepartmentalshared projects, official accreditation of Spanish language and professional development on cutting-edge methodologies and resources. The division has been growing dramatically within the last few years in terms of number of students learning Spanish language, but also in terms of academic staff joining this joyful, young and active group of lecturers working together on multiple of exciting upcoming projects. Highest standards of quality on learning and teaching and commitment on the development and promotion of Hispanic world are our key values. 

Responsibilities and Duties

Candidates are sought for Feburary 2024 start date. 

There will be opportunities for Spanish language lecturers to be involved in a range of different types of delivery and contributions to SPA Division, such as:

• Teaching compulsory credit-bearing Spanish language modules on the university’s “International Business with a Language” BA degree programme and others.
• Teaching optional credit-bearing Spanish language modules available to undergraduate students.
• Delivering Spanish language courses that are an optional component of postgraduate degrees.
• Engaging with Continuing support Spanish language activities.
• Engaging with exciting overseas Summer Spanish immersion programmes in Spain and locally at Suzhou.
• Contributing to official accreditation of students in Spanish as foreign language (SIELE, DELE).

There may be also opportunities to take on managerial roles with responsibility for the coordination 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.

Personal Attributes

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 (CLIL) and language integrated learning (especially where the focus is on inter- and transcultural dimensions of contemporary cultures and societies); Spanish for professional purposes (Business, Health & Care, Economy, Tourism, etc.), communicative and task-based methodologies 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. 

Qualifications/Experiences

Successful applicants should have native or near-native competence in Spanish language, holding a Master’s degree level in a Hispanic-related 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 at University level. 

Additionally, applicants should have a good standard of written and spoken English, as this is the working language of the university. Previous experience on delivering official assessment of Spanish Language, such as SIELE and/or DELE and experience with summer language-programmes are desirable too. Demonstrable experience with online teaching as well as the ability to manage online lesson-planning and delivery through the currently trend, educational apps and software is a plus.

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 60 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China. 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

1. Clear career development path with annual review.
2. Professional development trainings are provided.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market 

BENEFITS:

1. Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as

• Housing allowance o Travel allowance
• Kids’ education allowance
• Relocation allowance

2. Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy)

3. Paid holidays:

• Statutory Holidays (11 days)
• Annual Leave (36 days)
• Family Matters Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Parental Leave  

4. Working visa and residence permit in China: XJTLU sponsors working visa and residence permit in China for the staff.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application by clicking on the 'Apply' button.

Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter
• A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Three References

Please note that no CV sent by email will be taken into consideration. 

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email Head of Spanish Division at alejandro.caste@xjtlu.edu.cn

Please quote the position and job ID in your enquiry. For specific enquiries relating to online application, please email HRBP at xue.wang@xjtlu.edu.cn