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Department/School: School of Languages, Arts and Societies 

Contract type: Permanent

Overview

The Modern Languages Teaching Centre (MLTC), part of the School of Language, Arts and Societies, seeks to appoint a University Teacher (Grade 8) in German who will be responsible for coordinating all German language teaching within the MLTC, leading and supporting a small team to ensure the highest quality of provision in line with policies and strategies, designing, delivering and assessing German language courses at all levels, and playing an active role in the senior management of the MLTC, representing the German languages provision in all committees and boards and carrying out other MLTC-wide administrative roles to a level commensurate with their grade.

You will have C2 or near C2 proficiency in German with knowledge of current affairs and cultural life in German-speaking countries and regions, an excellent track record in designing and delivering German language courses in higher education for general and possibly specific purposes, and experience of managing a small team of language tutors, or at least of acting as team leader on specific modules. You will have a postgraduate qualification involving German (or equivalent experience), a teaching qualification, and a strong commitment to professional development and the delivery of a high-quality, innovative language- learning experience to students.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Work under the supervision of the MLTC Director and in collaboration with the Support and Teaching teams to ensure the administration, delivery and development of MLTC courses to the highest standards, in line with the Centre’s guidelines and strategies.

• Coordinate the provision and delivery of all German languages courses, including:

  • Assist the MLTC Director in ensuring recruitment, timetabling and workload allocation for own team.

  • Support, coach, mentor and review performance of teaching staff within their own team and promote their professional development.

  • Ensure that students are registered and placed at the appropriate level and receive appropriate pastoral care throughout their studies with the MLTC.

  • Monitor course content and delivery across levels and ensure that quality assurance procedures are implemented (e.g. course evaluation, student-staff committee meetings) and their outcomes reflected and acted upon.

  • Supervise assessment design and delivery, ensuring deadlines are kept, appropriate second marking is carried out, problem cases are discussed, feedback regularly given, marks are collected, etc. and liaise with the external examiner as appropriate.

  • Have responsibility for innovation in the subject area, planning and overseeing the update and development of new and existing modules, promoting and implementing new methods of delivery and assessment, and overseeing provision, use, and standards of facilities and technologies such as virtual learning environments (VLEs) and labs for language teaching and learning.

• Deliver teaching courses in German language at all levels up to 14 hours per week, as well as:

• Plan and prepare linguistic and cultural teaching and independent study materials and resources, maintain the VLE, communicate subject matter and encourage critical engagement with it; observe and react to student interventions, provide 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.

• Carry out formative and summative assessment for 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.

• Supervise undergraduate and possibly Masters project students and/or Tandem students.

• Develop own profile as an expert language teacher by taking an active part in CPD schemes and activities organized by the Centre and the wider University (e.g. training events, L&T workshops, 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.

• Represent the German language provision at  MLTC coordinator meetings, contributing generally to the overall strategies and policies of the MLTC and facilitating executive decision-making, taking part in the work of committees as required and contributing to quality assurance processes in respect of learning and teaching (e.g. periodic reviews, annual reflection exercise).

• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

You should provide evidence in your application that you meet the following criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure your abilities in these areas including reviewing your online application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on December 9th/10th 2025. This will consist of a presentation and an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage the week commencing November 24th 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact r.e.lewis@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 41 days 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.

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • 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 Employer. 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.