Altogether I worked for seven years as a teacher with the British Council, so I feel I’m in a strong position to make a fairly objective assessment of their strengths and weaknesses. The particular places I worked for them were Sri Lanka , Thailand and Bahrain . I also had dealings with them in Japan, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania.
Probably the first thing anyone notices who walks into a British Council centre is how nicely appointed they are, clean and modern, usually with light spacious open plan lobbies and office areas, etc. There's certainly nothing crampy about them, and they seem to have all the facilities you would expect a modern work place to have. That's always a big plus psychologically, to be working in such a comfortable, environmentally friendly place. Additionally, British Council centres are usually located in the nicest areas of the city, whether they be residential or downtown.
Probably the first thing anyone notices who walks into a British Council centre is how nicely appointed they are, clean and modern, usually with light spacious open plan lobbies and office areas, etc. There's certainly nothing crampy about them, and they seem to have all the facilities you would expect a modern work place to have. That's always a big plus psychologically, to be working in such a comfortable, environmentally friendly place. Additionally, British Council centres are usually located in the nicest areas of the city, whether they be residential or downtown.
Another important benefit of working with the British Council is the financial package, which is certainly one of the best within the EFL world. Mind you, EFL teachers, wherever, are ludicrously underpaid relative to other professions. The days of the backpacker EFL teacher are long gone. Nowadays most EFL teachers are fully professionalised with Diplomas and even MAs, but pay still has not caught up properly to reflect their true status or worth. The BC used to be the top payers. In fact, in the old days getting a job with them was a kind of Holy Grail. But this no longer really holds true, and nowadays universities and institutes of higher education offer much better salaries.
The full BUPA global health care coverage is another important pro, as is also the Pension scheme, which can be worth up to an extra 1800 GBP a year. They also give very good financial support, such as flights and a settling in allowance of half a month’s salary. Some centres even give an end of year bonus. They may even pay for half of a DELTA, Trinity Diploma or MA course. A final perk is that they nobly offer you special leave when appropriate, such as maternity leave or for when a family member has died.
As far the actual teaching experience itself, the British Council are again at the forefront in terms of both the quality of their courses and the amenities. For example, all classrooms have Promethean interactive smart boards, which are a huge boon to teachers. And because the British Council goes back so far, there is a wealth of resources in practically every centre. No teacher can complain that they don't have adequate support on the material front. And, as mentioned above, the British Council will encourage you in the field of professional development and support you to get further qualifications, such as the CELTYL and DELTA, etc.
Another by no means unimportant advantage of being employed by the British Council is the travel possibilities it offers. In fact, for some teachers that's the main perk. Just look at my own list in the opening paragraph. To actually live and work in cultures that one would normally have little access to is a fantastically exciting possibility. It is usually younger, single teachers who are attracted by this. It needs to be noted, though, that teachers with families and children may find the converse true, as changing country can also be highly disruptive and inconvenient.
The final, and possibly biggest, positive about working for the British Council, is simply that one meets some very nice people, mostly in the form of the other teachers. Generally, the EFL world is a nice, friendly, altruistic one and cooperation and mutual respect is the general feeling in the actual workplace between the teachers themselves. The local staff also have always been incredibly easy to get on with everywhere I have worked. Always really nice and helpful and keen to make friends.
So, as you can see, there are a huge number of pluses about working for the British Council. They're a quality organisation almost any way you view them. I would strongly recommend anyone to have a spell with them if they have a chance. You will develop hugely as a teacher and gain reams of teaching experience. And it looks good on your CV!
The first three or four years of your time with them will probably be reasonably golden. However, it's when you decide to commit yourself long term or try to move up the career ladder, that you might see and experience a different side of the organisation, particularly in relationship to the management. That's when doubts, uncertainty or even disillusionment may arise. I'll take a look at these and other downsides in my next post.
The full BUPA global health care coverage is another important pro, as is also the Pension scheme, which can be worth up to an extra 1800 GBP a year. They also give very good financial support, such as flights and a settling in allowance of half a month’s salary. Some centres even give an end of year bonus. They may even pay for half of a DELTA, Trinity Diploma or MA course. A final perk is that they nobly offer you special leave when appropriate, such as maternity leave or for when a family member has died.
As far the actual teaching experience itself, the British Council are again at the forefront in terms of both the quality of their courses and the amenities. For example, all classrooms have Promethean interactive smart boards, which are a huge boon to teachers. And because the British Council goes back so far, there is a wealth of resources in practically every centre. No teacher can complain that they don't have adequate support on the material front. And, as mentioned above, the British Council will encourage you in the field of professional development and support you to get further qualifications, such as the CELTYL and DELTA, etc.
Another by no means unimportant advantage of being employed by the British Council is the travel possibilities it offers. In fact, for some teachers that's the main perk. Just look at my own list in the opening paragraph. To actually live and work in cultures that one would normally have little access to is a fantastically exciting possibility. It is usually younger, single teachers who are attracted by this. It needs to be noted, though, that teachers with families and children may find the converse true, as changing country can also be highly disruptive and inconvenient.
The final, and possibly biggest, positive about working for the British Council, is simply that one meets some very nice people, mostly in the form of the other teachers. Generally, the EFL world is a nice, friendly, altruistic one and cooperation and mutual respect is the general feeling in the actual workplace between the teachers themselves. The local staff also have always been incredibly easy to get on with everywhere I have worked. Always really nice and helpful and keen to make friends.
So, as you can see, there are a huge number of pluses about working for the British Council. They're a quality organisation almost any way you view them. I would strongly recommend anyone to have a spell with them if they have a chance. You will develop hugely as a teacher and gain reams of teaching experience. And it looks good on your CV!
The first three or four years of your time with them will probably be reasonably golden. However, it's when you decide to commit yourself long term or try to move up the career ladder, that you might see and experience a different side of the organisation, particularly in relationship to the management. That's when doubts, uncertainty or even disillusionment may arise. I'll take a look at these and other downsides in my next post.
