Norms for contracting foreign teachers as language teaching assistants

It is common practice in Universities to contract foreign teachers as language assistants to assist in the teaching of modern languages in Philology degree courses and in other courses which require foreign language teaching. The special situation of these teachers, and the function of University exchange programmes which they often have, mean that it is advisable that a special set of rules should be available to regulate these posts. The following norms have therefore been drawn up:

First. Foreign teachers can be contracted as language assistants by various means, preferably through agreements either specifically referring to language assistants or general academic and cultural exchange agreements signed by the University of A Coruña and other Universities or other Entities within the international community.

Second. The proposals for contracting must be made by the Department responsible for the teaching of the language for which the foreign assistant is required.

Third. Requests for language assistants made by the departments will be dealt with by the Vice-Rector responsible for Teaching or corresponding body, which must be informed of the conditions of the contract and the teaching obligations for the foreign language assistant.

If no agreement exists, The Vice-Rector responsible for Teaching will gather applications from candidates through institutions in other countries. Candidates will be selected by a commission set up to this effect.

Fourth. Contracts for foreign language teaching assistants will have a specific format and will last for one academic year, after which, on the Department's request, this contract can be renewed for one further academic year, unless this possibility is not stipulated in the agreement in question. Language assistants will have a weekly timetable of twelve hours and will receive the equivalent salary of a full-time associate university teacher. The language assistant must also possess the same type of qualifications required for the category of associate teachers.

Fifth. Language teaching assistants who are contracted must agree to fulfil their functions under the guidance of a teacher designated by the Department to supervise their teaching, and with whom the language assistant must collaborate.

A Coruña, 24th July 1990