What is a Director of Studies?

The post of Director of Studies (DoS) is one of the most prestigious and demanding posts in EFL language schools.

The DoS is the keystone of an EFL educational institution, and how well the educational institution functions strongly depends on the abilities of the DoS. For the TEFL teacher who would aspire to become a DoS, here are some of the principal duties and responsibilities of a DoS:

1. To deputize for the deputy headmaster/principal or headmaster/principal in their absence.
2. To assist the headmaster/principal in management matters.
3. To actively engage in the maintenance of discipline and good conduct.
4. To participate in the interviewing of candidates for TEFL teaching posts.
5. To take responsibility for all aspects of the curriculum associated with its planning, development, delivery, assessment, monitoring, and budgeting. This is the most onerous duty that the DoS has to undertake.
6. To take responsibility for all aspects of the management, performance, and development of the EFL teaching staff in accordance with specified academic objectives and goals. To this end, the DoS is required to provide the appropriate training where necessary and to monitor and review EFL staff performance. This would also include teacher induction training for novice EFL teachers, and regular teachers’ professional development conferences and workshops.
7. To set, monitor, and manage a school homework policy.
8. To organise and administer parents’ meetings and parents’ evenings.
9. To advise parents and EFL students on EFL curriculum options.
10. To participate in the production of a school timetable.
11. To ensure that EFL teaching workloads are fairly allocated.
12. To organise extracurricular activities.
13. To liaise with external EFL examination bodies.
14. To manage EFL staff and material resources.

It would not be an understatement to say that the responsibilities and duties a DoS can be best summed up in one word – everything.

If you are interested in becoming a DoS, here are a few qualities that you definitely need to have if you want to succeed in this post:

• confidence
• organisational skills
• people skills, and
• problem-solving skills.

You will have to show your TEFL colleagues that you are confident and that you have the necessary organisational skills when it comes to the planning, development, delivery, assessment, monitoring, and budgeting of all aspects of both the school curriculum and staff management.

You will have to have well-developed people skills so that when you have to make unpopular decisions you don’t end up alienating affected members of staff.

Finally, you have to be able to deal with problems and unforeseen difficulties; this is where you will need good problem-solving skills, which means that you have to be knowledgeable and resourceful.

How can I become a Director or Studies?

After a few years of experience as a TEFL teacher, you are eligible to apply for jobs as Head Teacher, Academic Director, Assistant Director of Studies, and Director of Studies.

Read more: What Is A DoS And Should You Be One?