Teacher guide 2015 2016

Alcalá de Henares 2015-2016

TEACHERS’ GUIDE 1The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.

Alcalá de Henares 2015-2016 CONTENTS The British Council Behaviour Policy Equal Opportunities and Diversity Customer Care Arts & Culture – Education & Society British Council Exams Who’s who Alcalá /Madrid phone numbers Management Roles & Responsibilities Child Protection Absence & Substitution Eligibility / Payments University Credits: ‘créditos de libre elección’ Our Courses and Level System Methodology Speaking Listening, Grammar / Vocabulary & Writing Homework Course Check List Additional materials Photocopying & Copyright Course administration End of Course procedure Student Portal Resources Staff Development & Training Green Policy Health & Safety Dress Back Office (Teacher) Computers Teacher’s E-mail Addresses Problems with Equipment

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2The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.

This booklet is designed for teacher use only as a guide to current internal policies and procedures for the BC in Alcalá de Henares, with particular reference to the teaching centre. It should be kept for reference throughout the year and should not be shown to people outside the organisation.

It will be updated annually and copies distributed to all teachers. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the contents are accurate at the time of writing, this booklet does not form a part of any contract between the BC and members of staff.

Policies and procedures cannot count for all eventualities in ever-changing operational circumstances. Procedures will be developed or modified during the year when it is in the best overall interests of the centre.

In addition to the handbook, we hope that you will find that teachers and staff in Alcalá are always glad to help and give advice, so please do not be afraid to ask.

We hope you find this useful.

Alcalá de Henares Academic Management Team THE BRITISH COUNCIL Our purpose We build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide.

Our vision The future for the UK in this crowded, dangerous, beautiful world depends on people of all cultures living and working together on foundations of education, mutual understanding, respect and trust.

Our Values Our five corporate values (Valuing people, Integrity, Mutuality, Creativity, and Professionalism) guide what we do and how we work.

BEHAVIOUR POLICY The aims and objectives of the policy are consistent with the British Council’s diversity agenda and core values.

Diversity – it recognises that different teachers need different types of support with adults.

Creativity – It encourages reflection and action-planning on behalf of the student and teacher via a student contract.

Integrity – It reflects a commitment to transparency, with all parties being fully involved at each stage.

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Mutuality – It provides clear guidelines on the procedure for dealing with misbehaviour and ensures each case is dealt with in a consistent fashion.

Professionalism – It supports teachers and ensures that our teachers are equipped to deal with adult misbehaviour. It avoids there being a negative impact on the quality of the teacher’s teaching by dealing with the issue constructively.

Valuing people – It better informs teachers and students of the procedure for misbehaviour. It helps establish if there are any underlying reasons for the student’s misbehaviour and creates avenues to deal with the issue.

Behaviour in class If you have a student or students in your class whose behaviour is unacceptable or who has acted on any occasion in an unacceptable way, please follow the procedure below: • • • • • •

Talk to the student individually about his/her behaviour. Wait for one lesson to see if there is an improvement If the student was with us last year and/or term, ask Raymond/Juan Carlos for the name of the teacher and speak to her/him to see if s/he had a similar problem with the student last year Speak to Kevin/Raymond about the student. Kevin/Raymond will speak to the student and will consult the teacher after one lesson to see if there is a change in behaviour If there is no change in behaviour Raymond or Kevin will consult with the teacher after another lesson If there is no change, Kevin will ask the student to come in for a meeting with him. The outcome of this meeting and subsequent behaviour in class will determine the final measures. The student may be put on a ‘behaviour plan’ which the teacher has to sign after each class If there is still no improvement, the student may be asked to leave the centre.

Cultural relations Cultural relations is the building of engagement and trust between people of different cultures through the exchange of knowledge and ideas. In Spain this involves: • Promoting the English language by offering courses of English language to members of the public and providing preparation for English language exams • Presenting the best of British culture in the arts, education and science and encouraging bilateral collaboration.

More information about the British Council: http://intranet.britishcouncil.org/Pages/default.aspx EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The British Council operates an equal opportunities policy across its global network. We work with, and value contributions from, people from a wide cross-section of society wherever we work.

We treat our customers and colleagues with respect and we expect the same in return. We will not tolerate sexist, ageist, racist or any other discriminatory behaviour in class or elsewhere in our work.

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We understand that each learner has their own learning needs and preferences. Therefore, our teachers plan their lessons drawing on a wide range of methodologies and students are individually counselled on their learning needs and goals.

Where we can, we accommodate learners with special needs e.g. people with impaired vision or motor skills. Where possible, we adapt our furniture and learning materials accordingly. However, this has to be balanced with the overall needs of the class as a whole. We choose our teaching materials carefully to ensure that they reflect as far as possible contemporary society and do not depict stereotypes that conflict with our diversity policy.

You can find out about our wider work in diversity here: http://intranet.britishcouncil.org/eu/sites/spain/Pages/equality_diversity_and_inclusion.aspx The code of conduct covers obligations of staff: http://intranet.britishcouncil.org/HR/05Employee_relations/Pages/CodeofConduct.aspx CUSTOMER CARE Building relationships is a key objective of the British Council. Effective customer care helps build constructive relationships with our customers and encourages loyalty. Ensuring that we provide high standards in the area of customer care is the responsibility of all members of staff.

We can do this by: • ensuring that we are continually improving our courses • paying attention to details, as these small things often influence people’s opinions about the organisation • treating all customers (internal and external) with respect to encourage their loyalty to us • behaving in a welcoming, open manner with all customers • finding solutions to customer problems as soon as possible • keeping customers informed – informing your students if they are having any problems in class or their studies in general • presenting a professional, competent image.

ARTS AND CULTURE – EDUCATION AND SOCIETY Based in Martinez Campos, the British Council has active Arts and Culture and Education and Society departments whose aim it is to promote creativity originating in the UK and engage in collaborative projects with Spanish partners. Follow these links to find out more about their work and current initiatives. http://www.britishcouncil.org/spain/arts http://www.britishcouncil.org/spain/education-society BRITISH COUNCIL EXAMS The British Council, through our association with more than 100 UK examinations and professional bodies, organises exams for more than 25,000 people every year in Spain. This includes a wide range of English language exams including Cambridge exams for Adults and Young Learners, and IELTS. There are British Council Exams departments in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, and Palma de Mallorca.

Useful information: Cambridge Exams: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/

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IELTS

http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-practice-tests

WHO’S WHO (To phone Madrid, dial '0' before the number)

extension

BC Facultad de Económicas:

91 885 51 56

Director of Studies

91 885 51 94

Kevin McLeod

kevin.mcleod@britishcouncil.es

629 220 31 Senior Teacher

Raymond Kerr

639 553 038

raymond.kerr@britishcouncil.es

Customer Service

Juan Carlos Teruel

91 885 51 56

juancarlos.teruel@britishcouncil.es

BC Escuela Politécnica:

66 88

Steve Muir

637 569 941

Marta Silva

66 88

BC Guadalajara

949 209 814

Marisol

629 476 046

Consejería Económicas:

42 58 / 51 90

Consejería Politécnica:

65 01

Consejería Guadalajara

97 31

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marta.silva@britishcouncil.es

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STAFF AT THE MADRID ADULTS CENTRE Tel. extension TEACHING CENTRE MANAGEMENT Head Teaching and Exams Spain

35 16

nicholas.eyre@britishcouncil.es

Guy Heath

35 18

guy.heath@britishcouncil.es

Ana Cuevas

35 15

ana.cuevas@britishcouncil.es

ADOS

Simon Thorley

35 13

simon.thorley@britishcouncil.es

Senior Teacher (ICT)

James Baggesen

35 19

james.baggeson@britishcouncil.es

Director of Studies

Nicholas Eyre

91 337

(re: contract details, salary advances, etc) Resources Co-ordinator (re: contracts - bureaucratic matters)

(re: computer problems although first contact Global Service Desk in India) Senior Teacher (Academic)

Dave Harwood

35 27

dave.harwood@britishcouncil.es

Senior Teacher (Client relations)

Frances Potkin

50 12

frances.potkin@britishcouncil.es

Senior Teacher (Communications)

Karl Vogt

35 05

karl.vogt@britishcouncil.es

Senior Teacher (Library)

Blair Thornton

35 07

blair.thornton@britishcouncil.es

Senior Teacher (Corporate)

Mark Mitchell

35 14

mark.mitchell@britishcouncil.es

35 21

marta.palacios@britishcouncil.es

Substitution work

Marta Palacios

FAX

35 09

Examinations

35 29

Education UK

902 170 547

educationuk@britishcouncil.es

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ALCALÁ MANAGEMENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The management team in Alcalá is made up of Kevin McLeod, Director of Studies and Raymond Kerr, Senior Teacher.

Kevin McLeod is primarily responsible for: • overall management of the centre • finance • contracts • questions about payments/salaries, etc.

• medical “bajas” • finiquitos at end of contract.

Raymond Kerr is primarily responsible for: • academic management of the teachers • problems and maintenance of the IT equipment • first point of contact when a teacher is to be absent • registers (checking students and ensuring that they are up-to-date) • locker keys • teaching materials • organising teachers’ cover time.

Some of our roles will overlap but in general we are here to help teachers get the most out of their experience of working in Alcalá.

CHILD PROTECTION While we are primarily an adult teaching centre we do offer classes for students that are aged 16 to 18 so all teachers need to be aware of the Child Protection Policy Statement.

British Council Child Protection Policy Statement The British Council firmly believe that all children have potential and that every child matters – everywhere in the world. Children are a top priority as they have a unique honesty and willingness to exchange knowledge and ideas that can meaningfully build trust and make a sustainable difference in the future worldwide.

Child protection is everybody’s responsibility. We recognise that we have a fundamental duty of care towards all children we engage with including a duty to protect them from abuse. We aim to achieve this through compliance with child protection laws in each of the countries we operate and to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), 1989 which is the international legal framework which sets out the specific rights of children.

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The British Council affirms the position that all children have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse as set out in article 19, UNCRC, 1989. A child is defined in the British Council as anyone who has not reached their 18 th birthday (UNCRC, 1989) irrespective of the age of majority in the country where the child is, or their home country.

We recognise that: • The welfare of the child is paramount • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse • Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and protection agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

The purpose of the policy: • To help make sure that children who engage in British Council activities are protected • To provide a common understanding of child protection issues and inform staff planning and practice • To provide step by step guidance to staff on what action to take if there is an allegation of or concern about actual or suspected situations of abuse • This policy is mandatory for all British Council staff world wide. This includes anyone who works for the British Council, either in a paid or unpaid, full or part time capacity. This includes directly employed staff, trustees, contractors, agency staff, consultants, volunteers, interns and anyone working on behalf of the British Council.

We will seek to protect children by: • Valuing them, listening to and respecting them • Adopting child protection systems and procedures for staff • Recruiting staff safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.

• Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately • Providing effective management for staff through supervision, support and training We will provide adequate and appropriate resources to implement this policy and will ensure it is communicated and understood.

ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTION If you are to be absent and miss classes, please give us as much warning as possible by contacting Raymond on 638 333 838 or Kevin on 629 220 313. Leave a message if you cannot speak to them, specifying what your students are to cover in the class and leaving contact details in case he needs to clarify anything. Please make sure you speak to someone or get a reply so we know you will not be able to attend work. Only leaving a message is not enough as we may be in training and not see/hear the message until it is too late.

If you are off work for more than three calendar days you need to go to a Social Security doctor (Medico de Cabecera) to get a ‘baja médica”.

Once you have a “baja”, you need to phone Kevin with the details. It is important that we get this information as quickly as possible as this will affect your pay.

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It is teachers’ responsibility to keep their own accurate record of work they have done apart from teaching in any given month.

ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS The British Council has a signed agreement with the Universidad de Alcalá (UAH) and Escuela Universitaria Cardenal Cisneros (EUCC) to provide courses for students and staff of the Universidad de Alcalá and students from outside the University. There are three main groups: Students of UAH/EUCC, Universidad de Alcalá employees (PAS or PDI) and direct family members (children/spouse) and people with no connection to the university.

PAS - Personal de Administración y Servicios. Administration and service employees of UAH. PDI – Personal Docente y de Investigación. Professors and lecturers of the UAH. These courses are identical in structure to those of our regular students.

COURSE FEES: Students and staff of the university pay 348.00€ per term of 40 hours.

Outside students pay 390.50€ per term of 40 hours. Students can pay everything at once (‘pago único’) or in instalments (60%/40%: ‘pago fraccionado’).

PAS and PDI students in closed groups are paid for by the university. PAS students in normal groups pay for their courses but are reimbursed by the University through Formación. However, PDI students in normal groups pay for their course but normally get no support from UAH. ANTIGUOS ALUMNOS: ex- Alcalá students have to pay through the Antiguos Alumnos association (Colegio San Pedro y San Pablo 3º Planta Torre Plaza San Diego s/n,; tel: 91-885-4104). If they are not members, they will have to become members and the Association charges for this.

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CREDITS British Council courses entitle students to ‘Créditos de libre elección’ or ECTNs in the new degree courses. This is an important reason for many students to study with us.

Students can get credits from the Universidad de Alcalá for their English course.

PRE-INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE UPPER-INTERMEDIATE PRE-ADVANCED ADVANCED PRE-PROFICIENCY PROFICIENCY * Students studying Filología Inglesa are an exception. In their case, they will get 3 credits for Pre-Advanced/Advanced and 6 credits for Preproficiency/Proficiency (and no credits for any lower level).

To obtain credits, students need to take their British Council certificate to ‘secretaría’ of their faculty where the process of convalidation will be started. We do not have any further part in this process: our role is to guarantee that a student has a determined level of English and show this by issuing a certificate. Certificates are only issued at the end of the second term, in May. This means that any student who studies with us only for term one will not be entitled to a certificate. However, it is possible to join our courses in the second term, and any new student who completes the second term successfully will be entitled to a certificate.

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OUR COURSES AND LEVEL SYSTEM Courses We offer general English courses from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficiency). We also offer summer courses focussing on speaking and listening skills from mid May to mid June and in the month of July.

ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

PRE-PROFICIENCY

1º term

1º term

1º term

1º term

1º term

1º term

2º term

2º term

2º term

2º term

2º term

2º term

2º term

2º term

CAE

CPE

CAMBRIDGE EXAMS

FCE

PROFICIENCY

ADVANCED

1º term

UPPER-INTERMEDIATE

INTERMEDIATE

1º term

ELEMENTARY

PRE-INTERMEDIATE

PRE-ADVANCED

(the academic year is from October to May. There are 2 terms of 40 hours’ duration. Classes are normally twice a week, 2 hours per class or ‘intensives’ – 4 hours on Friday).

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METHODOLOGY We take a communicative approach to language learning which: • encourages all students, even beginners, to take an active part in all lessons • develops all four language skills • places emphasis on building confidence and improving oral fluency • helps students develop appropriate language learning strategies and self-awareness to gain maximum independence as learners.

We regularly ask students what they expect from our language courses, and at all levels they refer to having communication at the core of what we do. They expect to work in an active, communicative way in class and place a high value on consistent correction and feedback on the performance.

We recommend you look closely at the Learning Aims and Assessment documents (including the Speaking Grids for your levels) and at the Teacher’s Notes, which contain a full list of learning aims and sub-skills, to identify appropriate aims for your classes.

SPEAKING Your teacher will be listening to you and assessing you all the way through the course. Your pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and communication skills will be taken into account and you will receive a mark from 1 to 5 for each category. You will need to get 12/20 to pass, i.e. an average of 3 in each category.

LISTENING, GRAMMAR/VOCABULARY AND WRITING In order to make marking easy and to conserve a weighting appropriate to our course focus, the suggestion is to allot 100 marks in total to these three areas in each term*(see below) as follows: • • •

Listening: Gram & Vocab: Writing:

40 (3 marked activities from course units or Cambridge, with the best two marks counting for the student) 40 (2 unit tests or similar) 20 (2 assessed writing tasks) 100%

In order to pass the course as a whole, students would be required to get 60% of the marks on offer, in addition, obviously, to have completed successfully the speaking tasks carried out throughout the term.

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If a student achieves a pass in the speaking activities, but gets less than 60% on this combined section, they will have to repeat this section in September, but not the Speaking.

Vice-versa, if a student passes this section with 60% or more, but fails the speaking, they will only have to repeat the Speaking in September to assess whether the student has achieved the necessary level. *The marks given for this area in Term One would be purely informative with no end-of-course value. The marks given in Term Two would be the definitive ones. However, please keep in mind if a student changes group in term 2 we would not expect their oral grade to be lower than in term 1. We will also use grades from term 1 if we have any doubts about whether or not a student is good enough to pass the course.

Writing: Students should be set a minimum of 2 graded and guided pieces of individual written work during the term. The marks for these should be recorded in the register and used as part of the evaluation process.

HOMEWORK Our students expect to be set work to do out of class. The workbooks contain material directly linked to course book content and there are keys at the back which obviate the need to go through the exercises in class, beyond occasional clarification. Likewise, tasks from other sources, research assignments, course book readings and writing tasks can also be set as homework.

They should also be encouraged to read as much as possible, and there is a selection of graded readers in the offices in EconĂłmicas, PolitĂŠcnica, Cardenal Cisneros and Guadalajara to facilitate this. There are also DVDs (films and series) on offer and you might want to integrate these into class work through presentations and/or discussions.

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CHECK LIST Before you start • Make sure Kevin McLeod has your bank details, etc.

• Get Learning Aims and Assessment documents either from the hard copies or from Raymond Kerr • Read student guide • Pick up your copies of course books and CDs. Remember your students may not have books for the first lesson so you might want to make photocopies.

• Make sure you know the evacuation procedure in each centre.

Day 1 • • • • •

Welcome letter and Student Guide for students Photocopies (some students won’t have books on day 1) Right students in class? Anyone extra or missing? Check your class list!

Housekeeping (explain assessment system, breaks, homework, mobile phones, etc.)

Take your students to the correct fire assembly point in each centre!

First few classes • Visit the resources in each centre to show students where they can get graded readers and/or DVDs. • Any student in the wrong level? Do not promise a change of level before you talk to Raymond, Tom, Steve or Kevin.

• Bring your register up to date – you may not have it on the first day.

• Have you set a writing task and done or prepared for your first listening tasks?

• Student Guide/visit to resource centres for late sign ups.

Mid-course • Are you on target/ahead/behind with the material to be covered?

• Have you carried out assessments?

• Have students handed in written assignments?

• Have you been to the resource centres?

• Mid-course counselling: do you have to warn anyone they might fail? Can you suggest ways for them to help themselves?

Towards end • Have you done your three listening tasks?

• Have you done your second grammar and vocabulary quicktest?

• Are your Speaking Grades filled in correctly?

• Register (attendance, levels, signature, certificates) • Hand back books, DVDs, keys, etc.

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TEACHING MATERIALS At the beginning of your contract here you will be given a short induction during which you will be shown where to find the materials that are available to you.

Course books for teachers Teachers are issued with the course books, workbooks, CDs and teacher’s books for the courses they are teaching. Please collect them from Alec who will check them out in your name. Please return them at the end of each course.

Teachers’ notes There are teachers’ notes for all levels and can be accessed in Económicas or through ROAM at: .G:\Administration\Alcala Administration\academic\Learning Aims and assessment you can also find laminated hard copies in Económicas staff room. Make sure you know which units of the book you must cover.

Course books for students At the start of the course some students may not have their course books. With the exception of advanced, pre-proficiency, and proficiency levels, all students are expected to buy the workbook which accompanies the course book. Please be aware that in the New English File series some students buy workbooks without the key so be prepared to make photocopies for those.

COURSE BOOKS Beginner New English File Beginner Elementary New English File Elementary 3rd Edition Pre-intermediate New English File Pre-Intermediate 3rd Edition Intermediate New English File Intermediate 3rd Edition Upper-intermediate English File Upper-intermediate 3rd Edition Pre-Advanced Outcomes Upper-Intermediate 2º Edition Advanced New English File Advanced Special Edition Pre Proficiency Outcomes Advanced

Oxford University Press (OUP) OUP OUP OUP OUP Cengage Learning (*No Workbook needed) OUP (*No Workbook needed) Cengage Learning (*No Workbook needed)

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Proficiency Proficiency Masterclass

OUP

Course books can be bought at the following bookshops: Librería Mayor C/ Empecinado, 3 Alcalá de Henares Tel: 91 883 4749 Librería Facultad de Medicina, Planta baja, Tel: 91 885 4545 Librería Emilio Cobos C/ Mayor, 34 Guadalajara Tel: 94 922 6794 Booksellers S.A. C/ Fernández de la Hoz, 40 28003 Madrid Tel : 91 442 7959 ADDITIONAL MATERIALS Please note that, with the exception of your course books, you cannot take any materials out of the centre, or store them in pigeon holes or lockers. These are only for use within the centre and must be returned to their place as soon as you have finished using them.

Resources in the centres The following materials are found on the book shelves in Económicas, Guadalajara and Politécnica: • copies of course books and CDs • popular course books, reference texts, skills books etc.

• useful photocopiable resource books.

Dictionaries There are learners’ dictionaries (Longman, Collins, and Oxford) in the cupboards in Económicas and in the rooms that we generally use in the centres.

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Requesting New Material If you know of any commercially available material you think would be of interest to others, please suggest it by telling Kevin directly, or by sending him an e-mail.

Sharing Materials Many teachers are happy to share their ideas with others. These can either be pinned up on the notice boards in the centres or by sending the ideas round to teachers by e-mail.

PHOTOCOPYING & COPYRIGHT Photocopying worksheets We have an agreement with Reprographics in the University whereby you can make free photocopies. For the occasional times when the service is closed there are machines in the hall ways which can be accessed through a card (these can be collected free from Reprographics).

Copyright The British Council and the University have agreements with Centro Español de Derechos Reprográficos (CEDRO) which enables us to copy up to 10% of any publication. However, the British Council takes the issue of copyright very seriously. If in doubt, speak to a member of the management team.

CLASSES You should find class lists (Excel printout) / registers in your pigeon holes before the 1st class.

At the start of the first class check students’ names against the class list.

There is occasionally more than one class of the same level at the same timetable slot. Where this is the case you will also be given the class lists for the parallel groups. If a student is not on your list, check on the lists for the parallel groups and if you locate the student send them to the appropriate classroom. If you cannot find a student on any list, send them to Juan Carlos or Raymond in Económicas, Steve in Politécnica, or Marisol in Guadalajara. If you or a student thinks they have been wrongly placed, observe them, listen to them. Check movement options with Raymond, Tom, or Steve – do not promise to move the student until you have done this.

Students with aural or visual impairments and other impairments Check with the management team. We normally place students with mobility impairments in ground floor class rooms.

Information for students Please give all students a copy of the Welcome Letter in the first class. Most students should have the Student Guide, Folder, and Notebooks but take two or three in to the first class for students who may not have them. Try and plan activities around this information so that students understand the salient points.

Make sure that students realise that you, the teacher, are their first point of contact for any queries or comments, positive or negative. Please don’t hesitate to talk to a member of the management team for information or support.

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COURSE ADMINISTRATION Mid-course counselling Approximately halfway through the course you should do “mid-course counselling” with each student to talk about their progress and get feedback on the classes. Use this time to signal whether a student may fail the course or not, and give them advice on how to improve.

Teachers set up a class activity, which the students can work on without the teacher. The teacher then speaks privately to each student about his or her progress on the course and answers any questions the students have. Student questionnaires for self-evaluation are available to facilitate the counselling.

Complaints from students about the course, teaching, etc.

The teacher is the first point of contact for the student for all professional/academic matters. You should listen to the student(s), take notes and try to solve any problems. Very often they are misunderstandings! Do not hesitate to speak to Kevin or Raymond about the problem.

Occasionally a student will ask to speak to Kevin directly. He will listen, take notes and try to find a solution. He always discusses complaints with the class teacher if the complaints are teaching related.

Registers Juan Carlos or Raymond will put your register (blue cardboard folder) in your pigeon hole early in the course. If you’ve been using an Excel class list from the first class make sure they have attendance marked and transfer the information to your register.

Registers are auditable documents and must be kept up-to-date and left in your pigeon hole at the end of each class. They are checked periodically by Juan Carlos, Kevin, and Raymond and we need to be able to refer to them if you are sick/absent. You should write a brief record of each lesson, homework, assessment results, speaking grids and attendance records.

What to do about non-attendance If a student misses more than three classes consecutively (two hour classes) or more than one Friday intensive class, without previous notice let Raymond, Juan Carlos, Tom, Steve, or Marta know. The student will then be contacted to find out why they aren’t attending.

Re-registration Students will automatically be able to register for the next level unless you indicate otherwise. If a student fails a level in May they can attempt a resit in September either wholly or just grammar/vocabulary etc. or speaking.

There is a special re-registration period (plaza preferente) for existing students towards the end of each course. Dates vary so you will be informed when they are set. You should encourage your students to re-register as early as possible to ensure they get the timetable they want.

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END OF COURSE PROCEDURES Registers Leave your class registers in your pigeon hole on the last day of the course. Registers are official documents required for auditing purposes & must include: • general course level for next course for each student • attendance for each student • all assessment results and final marks • work covered in class • speaking grids clearly filled in for each student and stapled to the register • on the front of each register, you should sign and date it in the space provided.

Certificates • you will receive end of course certificates in May • tell Juan Carlos if there are any discrepancies (wrong name for example) • only give certificates to students who pass to the next level • if a student does not collect the certificate, leave it in your register (in the plastic sleeve provided) & and Juan Carlos will keep them in the office Please do not hesitate to consult a member of the management team if you need more information, support or advice.

STUDENT PORTAL Alcalá students have access to our Portal https://spainportal.britishcouncil.org from any computer with an Internet connection outside the centre, where they can find familiar English language learning software, visit recommended websites and find out what is going on in the centre.

The unique username and password are sent out by e-mail to each student within the first week or two of their course. If a student has not received this information or there are any questions about this service speak to Raymond.

RESOURCE CENTRES We have a small collection of resources in our three principal centres. Principally, DVDs of films and series, graded readers, books and the Speak-Up series of magazines and DVDs. We also have a small stock of exam preparation material.

Visiting with your students You should make sure your students have been shown these resources within the first week of the course to ensure they are aware of the selfstudy possibilities.

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STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING Approach We recognise that the surest way to achieve success as a Teaching Centre is to provide the highest quality of teaching. Year on year, student feedback tells us that the main reason our customers choose to come (and return) to Alcalá is our teachers’ quality. Therefore, we take training and development seriously, and do our best to afford a variety of development opportunities to teachers. Listed below are some of the opportunities provided.

Induction All new teachers will receive face-to-face induction by Kevin and Raymond as well as taking part in two days of INSETT at the beginning of the course, and will have the chance to fill in an induction questionnaire in the first block of the course and discuss any questions they may have once term is under way. Our aim is to support new teachers so they feel confident about doing their job. Teachers will also have regular Friday face-to-face or online briefings about core aspects of the British Council’s work and policies.

Observation A member of the management team observes all new teachers at Alcalá at least once a year. All other teachers will have at least one development observation a year The goal is to provide teachers with support and advice about development, and to encourage them to reflect on their own teaching practice.

Peer observation Peer observation is promoted in this centre. Advice and support is available to ensure teachers involved get the maximum benefit from this activity.

In-house (INSETT) Training Several training days are held from October to May. During these days housekeeping needs are addressed as well as practical sessions where teachers can share ideas and discuss issues associated with teaching.

Trinity Diploma Support Financial support is often available to those teachers wishing to do the Diploma.

Teachers’ Learning & Performance Management Teachers will be able to opt into the new Teachers’ Learning & Performance Management scheme. This involves developing a learning and development plan focused on goals set by teachers themselves. Managers provide support and guidance, and action research and peer observation are usually involved. At the heart of this scheme is the recognition that ‘learning’ is the outcome that best ensures the professional growth and development of our teachers, and quality teaching in the classroom.

Conferences Under certain circumstances support is available to teachers wishing to speak at important ELT conferences in Spain.

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English & Exams Corporate support Support offered to teachers worldwide includes the Interactive Whiteboard training resources, virtual learning resources for the development of soft skills, and funding for further study under the Professional Development Scheme. See the English & Exams site for further information: http://bcnet.britishcouncil.org:8000/ee/index.htm GREEN POLICY The British Council is dedicated to promoting cleaner environments and green lifestyles. Visit the following web pages to find out more about the British Council’s activities. http://bcnet.britishcouncil.org:8000/green/index.htm and http://bcnet.britishcouncil.org:8000/green/strategy.htm On a local level, we can all contribute to a better use of resources and a cleaner environment by following a few simple guidelines: • • • •

Don’t waste paper. Make only the copies you need and reuse paper where you can. There is plenty of ‘rough paper’ on the shelves in Económicas staff room which you can use for notes, etc.

Make sure you switch off projectors, DVD players, televisions and air conditioning when you leave your classroom Please remember to switch lights off when you leave your classroom Switch off computers, lights and air conditioning when you leave the staff room.

HEALTH AND SAFETY EMERGENCIES: ACCIDENTS, ILLNESSES ETC If a STUDENT is taken ill or has an accident: 1. CONTACT CONSERJERÍA 2. CONTACT MANAGEMENT If it is an emergency & an AMBULANCE is needed IMMEDIATELY, call 112 If a MEMBER OF STAFF is taken ill or has an accident: 1. CONTACT CONSERJERÍA 2. CONTACT MANAGEMENT If a member of staff needs to be taken to a hospital, they will use the new Mutua FREMAP T: 900 61 00 61. Again if it is an emergency, call 112.

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FIRE If you see a fire, hit the nearest fire alarm, contact conserjería and/or the fire officer. For small fires, there are fire extinguishers on all floors at regular intervals.  If you are teaching, close windows, take your register, close the classroom door after you, escort your students downstairs & leave the building  Check all your students are present. Wait for the Assistant Director of Studies or head of conserjería to tell you that you can return to the building  If you are not teaching, go downstairs & leave the building  Do not use the lifts Corporate Health and Safety Policy Statement “The British Council exists to build trust and influence for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Our success has been built on developing our reputation for outstanding quality and valuing our key assets - people.

In all that we do we must acknowledge our duty of care to ensure a healthy and safe place to work for our staff, customers and visitors. We aim to achieve this through compliance with the safety laws in each of the countries in which we operate and aim in addition, where practicable, also to follow UK standards, guidance and codes of best practice where these offer enhanced standards of health and safety.

Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility, and a prime responsibility of all levels of management, and I expect everyone to contribute to achieving our overall objective.

My aim and that of the Executive Board is to ensure that all staff and those who work with the British Council foster an attitude of best practice and cooperation in order to improve standards of health and safety. We will: • provide strong and committed leadership • improve our health and safety performance • monitor and review the systems and policy to ensure their suitability, adequacy and effectiveness • encourage all staff to contribute to the British Council’s health and safety aspirations • direct staff to comply with the British Council’s health and safety standards • provide suitable and sufficient information, instruction, training and facilities to ensure all staff are aware of and equipped to carry out their health and safety responsibilities competently • satisfy ourselves that those contracted to the British Council are aware of and satisfactorily discharge their health and safety roles and responsibilities.

We will provide adequate and appropriate resources to implement this policy and will ensure it is communicated and understood.”

Martin Davidson Chief Executive - British Council August 2010

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Health and Safety Training In addition the British Council requests you to check the BC Spain intranet to get the information and training about certain Health and Safety issues such as risk in your work place, preventive policy, health and safety plan, etc.

Please: • Click internet icon • Click SPAIN INTRANET (placed in the top left hand side) • Click HEALTH AND SAFETY • Click in each of the items (risks, computer user, medical check-ups, etc.)

• Click TRAINING/ON-LINE TRAINING to take the specific H&S course related to your role.

DRESS Whilst the centre does not apply a dress code for staff, all members of staff are expected to look presentable at all times. Dress may be informal but must be smart.

BACK OFFICE (TEACHER) COMPUTERS There are 5 computers in the office in Economicas that are GTI approved and give access to teaching materials from the Miguel Angel centre, the Alcalá G://Drive materials folder, the wider British Council Network of resources such as ‘The Classroom’. Teachers in Politécnica, Guadalajara and Cardenal Cisneros can ask Kevin to set up a ROAM account where they can have access to their British Council e-mails, G://Drive and H://Drive, and the Intranet.

TEACHERS’ E-MAIL ADDRESSES As the majority of our teachers use their own e-mail addresses for communication we will use these to send out information about courses, INSETT sessions and other useful information.

PROBLEMS WITH IT AND CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT Report problems with IT and classroom equipment to Raymond or directly to the Global Service Desk in Económicas and the centre coordinator (Steve) in Politécnica.

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