Language Specialist
Language specialist - fulltime (temporary role, 2 years)
Optimist International School (OIS) is a Dutch public primary school, a young, vibrant, and colourful school located in Hoofddorp. We pride ourselves in supporting and challenging every international student to achieve excellence in their development. We place particular emphasis on providing the students with opportunities to demonstrate agency and collaborative skills, as well as finding ways for them to serve others and contribute to the wider community. We are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture.
Our mission
It is our mission to create an environment that empowers children to bring out their inner magic through diverse learning opportunities, where children take responsibility for their own learning journey to reach their full potential and become lifelong learners.
OIS offers two programmes which can be considered as two learning pathways:
• the International Programme running from group 1 – 7. This prepares for international secondary education starting at the age of 11. Most learning is in English, following an international curriculum (IPC), and approximately 15% in Dutch to allow students to integrate in Dutch society
• the Dutch Enrichment Programme (DEP), an alternative additional programme for our upper primary running from group 6 – 8. This prepares for secondary education in the Netherlands starting at the age of 12. Learning is in English and Dutch, gradually more Dutch is added with an academic focus
Some key features of this role
We are seeking a qualified candidate to join our team as a Language Specialist. This unique position combines the responsibilities of supporting our Language Arts programme while also contributing to a project team focused on additional language learning and multilingualism.
At OIS, we are committed to fostering an enriching and impactful learning environment. Our specialists play a crucial role in ensuring that our curriculum aligns with the school's vision and ambition, enabling our students to achieve their full potential.
The Language Specialist position focuses on supporting the development and execution of our language and multilingualism initiatives across the school, providing strategic leadership and guidance in curriculum design, assessment, and student support. Activities are added as an example to make it more explicit, but they don’t encompass or cover every aspect of the area.
What will you be responsible for on a day-to-day basis?
Curriculum Development and best practices
You will ensure that the curriculum for language and multilingualism aligns with the school’s educational vision and international primary education standards. Through collaboration, you will enhance student learning by advising on curriculum updates and integrating the latest research and best practices.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to define, review, and refine learning objectives that align with the school’s goals, policies, and international standards.
• Advise the SLT on policy updates, ensuring integration of the latest educational trends and best practices.
Assessment and evaluation
You will ensure the effective use of assessments to measure student attainment and progress. Using data-driven insights, you will support teachers in enhancing instructional practices.
Activities:
• actively support teachers to administer formative and standardized assessments and to monitor and analyse student’s performance data to ensure all students meet or exceed learning objectives
• support teachers to address gaps and implement targeted interventions to enhance overall achievement
• perform an annual review of the curriculum area and the coverage and inform SLT (LL) accordingly
Resource management
To support effective teaching and impact on learning we develop and curate educational resources, including teaching materials, technology, and assessment tools.
Activities:
• identify, curate, and manage high-quality educational resources, including books, digital tools, and supplementary materials, that support the curriculum and enhance learning
• keep frameworks and resources up to date and ensure they contribute to the key objectives
Staff support and professional development
Strategic guidance and support for teachers fosters the adoption of and dialogue about evidence-based teaching strategies that align with school policies and promote high-impact teaching and learning
• support and coach teachers in researching and developing effective teaching practices and materials that allow all students to reach their individual potential; this could include class visits, co-teaching, or team teaching
• lead the language work group and work on consistency through school
• support teachers in effective and efficient planning, and assessments
• advise the LT (MPTL/HR) on ongoing professional development initiatives that deepen teachers' knowledge and skills, involving their own and/or external expertise, during study days or workshops
• promote a culture of collaboration among teaching staff, ensuring a unified and integrated approach to achieving school-wide learning objectives, for example by promoting peer visits or learning conversations
• induct new staff to teaching at OIS in the specific expertise area, and lead workshops and study days
Student support
You will work closely with teachers to ensure the needs of individual students are met through differentiated instruction and targeted interventions, promoting equitable learning opportunities for all. We tailor to the needs of individual students, which involves employing a range of strategies that are both effective and efficient. This includes differentiated instruction, small group interventions, and targeted resources, and only one-to-one support as a temporary exception.
• support teachers in developing and implementing individual education plans or interventions in a classroom setting tailored to the specific needs of each student. This may include differentiated instruction, targeted interventions, and additional resources or materials to support learning
• offer strategies and resources to teaching staff that they can use to help students who need extra support or enrichment
• support teachers in communication with parents about their child's progress and the support being provided, including learning at home
• offer subject-specific temporary interventions to small groups of students who have gaps or a delay in learning
The successful candidate has the following qualities:
• Expertise: You hold a degree or equivalent experience in Language Arts, Language Acquisition, Linguistics, or a related field of expertise, with demonstrable expertise in these areas; a demonstratable experience in remedial teaching of phonics, spelling, reading and dyslexia
• Research-Oriented: You have a strong commitment to research, with a focus on applying evidence-based practices to enhance language learning
• Project Management: You possess excellent project management skills, including planning, organization, execution, and the ability to effectively communicate and share your findings.
• Team Collaboration: You thrive in a collaborative environment, working effectively with colleagues, researchers, and other stakeholders; you are committed to driving this initiative in our school with a focus on impact
• Innovation: You are open to new ideas and approaches, with a keen interest in exploring and implementing innovative methodologies
What is in it for you?
We are looking for candidates that are willing to go the extra mile for our young school to be successful. In return, you will be part of our welcoming optimistic international team that brings a wealth of educational knowledge. The OIS team is a supportive and collaborative team where professional growth is encouraged, and ideas are valued. You will work in a vision-driven environment that fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork, with colleagues who are passionate about making a difference. We believe in empowering each other to excel. The successful candidate will have great opportunities to gain expertise in multilingual learning, using home languages in lessons and other professional development. OIS is offering a competitive salary to a successful candidate for this role.
Why is Safeguarding important to us?
We take caring for the physical and emotional health of each member of the school community very seriously. As a school, we are committed to safeguarding and expect all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. We will follow safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks before any appointment is confirmed.
What should you do next?
Please send a letter of motivation together with your resume to Cheryl Embleton, HR Manager, by filling out the application form on our website. Thereafter, we will arrange an informal conversation with all suitable candidates.
