Speak Teens runs an innovative summer camp experience in which Italian English language Learners and international volunteers, our "Anglos", come together for a English language camp. The unique combination of Learners and Anglos as well as an exciting camp programme creates a truly memorable camp experience for Teens and staff alike.

Now in its third year, our management team are required to lead and be part of a well-organised and passionate staff team based in a stunning camp location. All three roles will be supported by Speak's Camp Directors and include three days of pre-camp training.

We are currently recruiting for three senior positions, all of which require applicants to have a passion for working with teens:

DIRECTOR OF STUDIES:

The Director of Studies will work in collaboration with Speak's Learning Director to facilitate the academic elements of the summer camp. This includes managing and supporting the teaching team and ensuring the smooth running of the morning lessons, organising One-to-Ones between Learners and Anglos and preparing Learners for a Trinity GESE exam. The role requires a passion for communicative language learning and strong management and organisational skills.

SOCIAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR:

The SPC will work closely with Speak's Camp Director to run a varied and exciting 10-day social programme. Social elements of the camp include afternoon activities (sports and artistic activities), forest treks, off-site ecursions and whole-camp evening events. The role requires excellent planning skills, creativity and flexibility.

WELFARE COORDINATOR:

The Welfare Coordinator is responsible for the physical and emotional welfare of all teens throughout their stay at camp. The Welfare Coordinator needs to be skilled in the provision of medical care and sensitive to the emotional needs of young people away from home. The role requires a medical or welfare background and excellent communication skills. Applicants for this role should also ideally have a competent level of Italian.


Our Speak Teens Summer Camp is located at Valbonella, set in the stunning natural environment and forested valleys of Emilia-Romagna. This camp is for English Learners aged 12-17, joined by Teen Anglos, our native English-speaking teens, aged 12-17.

DATES:

Tuesday 21st June 2022 - Wednesday 13th July 2022 inclusive (this includes pre-camp training days)

IMMERSIVE LEARNING:

Speak Teens offers Italian teens a unique experience in Italy: to improve their English with the support of English teachers as well as teenage mother-tongue English speakers, our "Teen Anglos". For the Learners, the camp may be the first opportunity they have had to put their English into practice with native English speakers. Our Teen Anglos are essential for bringing English to life through meaningful interactions and supporting the Learners by being patient, willing listeners and having a lot of fun together throughout the Camp.

For Learners, the opportunities to practice and improve their English spans the whole day. Morning sessions, however, play a key role in attending to their English language needs. During these sessions we offer Learners both teacher-led lessons and the opportunity for one-to-one conversations with the Teen Anglos.

Morning sessions take place in outdoor classroom spaces with a curriculum that focuses on speaking and listening skills and reflects the natural environment in which our camp takes place. Materials have been selected and designed with our unique learning context in mind in order to engage the teens and create memorable learning experiences.

The combination of our fantastic camp location and exceptional camp facilities means we offer a varied, stimulating and unique daily timetable including: English sessions devoted to learning through group and one-to-one communication; summer camp activities such as sports, swimming, arts, excursions; unique camp experiences such as outdoor cinema, orienteering and astronomy.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

In addition to the areas of focus within the three roles above, all staff are involved in, and take responsibility for, all aspects of camp life including:

o Pastoral care and welfare of teens;
o Transfers - assisting with arrivals and departures of teens on transfer days;
o Excursions - taking students off-site for a full day excursion.

Our staff must have a real interest in working with children and, in particular, a strong empathy for working with international teens. We expect all staff to be able to communicate effectively with our students, using an appropriate level of language to suit the group.

The safety and welfare of our students is of paramount importance at all times and this should therefore be a priority for all staff, with particular thought and attention paid to managing the children when off-site, including in busy public places.