English Language Assistant Scheme

English Language Assistant Scheme

ELA Scheme

The English Language Assistant (ELA) Scheme aims to provide additional support to school communities in other countries, and assist teachers in giving students exposure to other languages and cultures with a native speaker. It is an opportunity to live abroad and obtain some teaching experience, whilst also getting an opportunity to travel as well as immerse yourself in the culture and language of your host country.  

To hear more about the ELA scheme from former English Language Assistants watch this video.

The role of the assistant is to:

  • Support the teaching staff of schools in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. Applications for the Spanish ELA programme are not open at this time, but further details on the programme will be available shortly.
  • Conduct conversation classes in English. 
  • Supplement classes with exercises in reading, dictation and oral composition and written composition.
  • Give pupils an insight into Irish culture in Ireland – you are there in the capacity as a representative for your country.
 

You can learn more about the ELA scheme at gov.ie

Interested in becoming an English Language Assistant?

Join us for an online information session about the 2026–27 English Language Assistant (ELA) Scheme.
Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Time: 7:30 PM (online via Zoom)

Discover what it means to be an ELA and how you can get involved! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and ask your questions! Register here.

For details on what to expect during the application process and to learn more about living abroad, watch this video. The video provides more detail and endeavours to answer some key questions that applicant ELAs might have about the scheme.