Teacher of English (Full Time)

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

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What's it like to work at the British Council as a Teacher?

          Teacher's Success Story

Job Overview

The British Council Sri Lanka offers a diverse range of English courses for audiences from preschoolers to business professionals and emigrants, alongside professional skills training for corporate clients and teacher training programs. Teaching is conducted primarily face-to-face, with the main center in Colombo and additional locations in Kandy, Jaffna, and Matara and the upcoming new center in Gampaha.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to maintain and enhance professional development and academic quality within the teaching centre by managing the in-house teacher development programme and providing ongoing support to teaching staff. The role also aims to promote and ensure high standards of teaching and effective English language learning. By creating a rewarding and stimulating learning experience for learners, the role contributes to their educational growth while also supporting the broader objectives of the British Council and its mission to foster cultural relations. 

Role Responsibilities

The role requires planning, preparing, and delivering effective English language lessons tailored to the needs of diverse learner groups. It involves monitoring student progress, providing timely and constructive feedback, and promoting learner autonomy. Additionally, the role contributes to the continuous improvement of English language courses, materials, and services to ensure they meet learners' evolving needs.

Professional growth is supported through active participation in development and performance management systems. The role also involves supporting marketing and promotional initiatives, contributing to a high-quality customer experience, and upholding the British Council’s safeguarding standards across key areas, including child protection, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and health and safety.

The role involves delivering English language classes in line with agreed schedules and quality standards, ensuring students receive an effective and engaging learning experience. It also includes upholding teaching practices that meet the British Council's Teaching Quality standards and broader organisational expectations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Undergraduate Degree (BA or equivalent/ higher)
• Cambridge CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, or equivalent recognised entry-level qualification to teach English as a Foreign or Second language
• 2 years’ post-certificate (Cambridge CELTA/Trinity Cert TESOL) international teaching experience
• Experience in teaching relevant age groups 
  • Secondary and Adults General English 16+ (1,500+ hours) 
  • Young Learners and Adults (18+) - 1500+ hours

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: Basic monthly -  2,10,000 LKR - 2,50,000 LKR (depending on qualification and work experience).
• Annual Leave: Annual paid leave is 35 days. 
• Medical Allowances: Group Medical Insurance cover with an inpatient cover of LKR 850,000 per family unit.
• Settling-in allowance :(if you are recruited from outside Sri Lanka) - Equal to 3 weeks' salary for an accompanied employee and equal to 2 weeks' salary for the unaccompanied employee. Separate Rent loans for expat / overseas recruited teachers, and then they are deducted from the salary.  Assistance provided by Resources by sharing leads for brokers for searching for accommodation. Permanent accommodation is to be paid by the employees themselves
• Baggage allowance :(if you are recruited from outside Sri Lanka) One Time accountable Baggage Allowance £ 1,200 for single employees and £ 2,000 for accompanied

Other Information

• Location: Gampaha, Sri Lanka
• Contract Duration: 12 Months
• Contract Hours: 37.5 hours/week 
• Contract Teaching Hours: up to 25 hours/week
• Tentative start date: June 2026
• Work schedule:  Teaching is currently face-to-face 7 days a week but Young Learner courses are mostly delivered on Fridays and Saturdays. This may be subject to change in the future.
• Local restrictions on employment: Applicants must have the right to work in Sri Lanka. Candidates are expected to have researched whether they have the right to live and work in the country in which the role is based. Given that our offices have different legal statuses depending on the work we do in those countries, we recommend that you contact HR in the country for additional information on the likelihood of securing a visa. Only at its discretion will the British Council provide support so please check first whether visa support is offered
• Closing date and time – 20 March 2026 (23:59 Indian Standard Time)

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org