Search found 19 matches

by kevin
Sat Mar 28, 2020 6:56 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Norwegian salaries? Anyone out there teaching in Norway?
Replies: 8
Views: 10757

Re: Norwegian salaries? Anyone out there teaching in Norway?

Are we allowed to post links to other forums? If not feel free to delete my post.

This was a really informative post by a Norwegian teacher: https://community.tes.com/threads/a-beg ... ay.800083/
by kevin
Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:15 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: 15 years experience and masters degree salaries here?
Replies: 2
Views: 9295

Re: 15 years experience and masters degree salaries here?

Firstly, I think Finland would be too difficult to get a job in as they already have very highly skilled teachers there and don't think they really "need" foreigners. Every teacher must have an MA and their teaching courses are very sought after and competitive.

Secondly, Regarding Austria to give you an example I recently saw a job in a small town, not too far from the beautiful Hallstatt and on their recruitment pdf it says:

"The salary will be in the range €39,923 to €55,682 depending on qualifications and experience. An additional allowance of €2,101 is paid for a higher degree e.g. MA, MEd, MBA, EdD PhD"

(why 2,101 exactly? why not 2,100?!)

So you'd imagine for Austria maybe you'd be somewhere near the top of that scale?

Regarding Sweden, not sure if I'm wrong, but I heard salaries for teachers are not that good vs cost of living there.
by kevin
Sun Jul 10, 2016 8:13 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Starting international teaching after PGCE - options?
Replies: 16
Views: 24101

Re: Starting international teaching after PGCE - options?

>>>>But there also seemed to be general consensus that after a few years on the circuit, not completing the NQT year wouldn't really make a difference, and after that it'd be all about my results, references, and interview technique.

Where did you read that? I don't claim to know the answer but I would have thought doing your NQT year was really important.

>>>>>>Of the countries I listed (Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand) what sounds the most likely? The ESF scheme in Hong Kong looks great but I don't know if they would take an NQT. Vietnam would be great too but again I'm not sure how my resume would be viewed. I'm assuming South Korea and Japan would not be possible at this stage for me (though if they are, I'd certainly be open to going there too).


For a 'proper' IS?? I'd say rule out HK, SG and Japan. Also, I'd say the chances of finding a COBIS school looking an NQT and actually hiring you would be quite slim.
by kevin
Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:53 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?
Replies: 20
Views: 33547

Re: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?

I am the only one on this forum confused by the amount of acronyms that regulars use? :D I always find myself having to work it out from the context. DTs? = Domestic teachers?

PsyGuy I did think that Hockerill school looked quite fancy and not the kind of place I'd get a shot at.

ShadowJack, I guess you're right, it's a case of earning your stripes. That's what I'm not sure if I could be bothered doing, haha.
by kevin
Sat Dec 05, 2015 3:42 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?
Replies: 20
Views: 33547

Re: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?

Thanks ShadowJack. But isn't there a bit of a difference between 40% quitting after ONE YEAR vs 50% quitting in 5? Sure 50% in 5 isn't good as they won't have that many teachers long-term, but at least in North America they've tried it for 5 years and chucked it in whereas I'd imagine many of those quitting after one year just want to complete the year rather than leaving half-way through (for CV purposes etc).

http://www.theguardian.com/education/20 ... hin-a-year
by kevin
Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:07 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?
Replies: 20
Views: 33547

Re: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?

Thanks CorkMunich, that's something to consider! That Hockerill school looks quite fancy, but see under vacancies there aren't any language jobs.
by kevin
Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:18 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?
Replies: 20
Views: 33547

Re: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?

Yeah, but PsyGuy there’s a lot of talk about the unfavourable conditions for teachers in the UK (England in particular) and due to that they’re quitting. 40% is quite high in my eyes. Sure, every country will have its problems as teaching is not easy, but there does seem to be a bit of a crisis in England. I even read an article in the Guardian that said the government went all the way to Jamaica to try and recruit teachers. They’re training too many people as they know so many will quit soon after (or not even finish the PGCE). Northern Ireland on the other hand does not have this problem at all and securing a teaching position there as an NQT is like gold dust and positions are filled ASAP.

Anyway, moving on, thanks a lot for the examples. I’d be pretty happy for a first IS position in Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea or Taiwan. I guess at a push Vietnam or Mongolia could also be an option for first IS job. Though I guess it depends on how many schools in all the above mentioned countries offer Spanish and/or French. Some food for thought!

Re L.A. thanks for the info, I’m single and although I definitely don’t see this continent as a career destination could be ok for a year or two.

Thanks for info about tiers.

>>> Current forum rules restrict categorizing ISs by tier.
Sorry about that!

Thanks again for all the info PsyGuy.
by kevin
Thu Nov 26, 2015 5:13 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?
Replies: 20
Views: 33547

Re: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?

Thanks a lot PsyGuy that’s really useful to know. I appreciate the in-depth answers!

If I do like the 1st year induction I will certainly try to stay for more years. It’s just with all the talk of 40% of newly qualified teachers in the UK quitting doesn’t fill me with confidence that I’ll be one of the 60%!

Which countries, excluding the ME, are ‘easier’ to get into? How about Latin America? Or Thailand, Malaysia, Macau (if there is even a market for ISs there!)? Where are the other “hardship regions” apart from ME?

There’s the mention of China and Spain, which are not high on my list but would definitely be an option. China does put me off for the pollution, but if it’s a way of getting experience, although in saying that would prefer South Korea than China. I wouldn’t mind 1 year in Spain. Thanks SJ, having lived there for a year do realise salaries are quite low and as I said salary isn’t my main objective so would happily go somewhere if the salary was low if it was a decent place and got me more experience. But, I take on board the comments in lower ISs that they might not be so good and might even quit half way through. So, I guess at the moment SK and Spain seem like two possible options.

I did see the induction at a BSO, but think the chances of a school needing a Spanish/French teacher and taking me on are slim and as you say they’re generally higher tier ISs. However, I guess it’s something to look out for. Sorry to ask a silly question but how do I know if the school is higher/lower tier? E.g. How about this one: http://www.bis.k12.tr/ ?

Ozymnds24, thanks for the opinion, that’s really useful. I will do that!

>>>>Also, it might be worth casting your net more widely to begin with in terms of target schools.

Could you give me some examples of places?

Thanks again
by kevin
Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:18 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?
Replies: 20
Views: 33547

Re: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So, how much experience would you need on average for those countries I mention would you all say? Why are they very competitive? Any reason in particular? (Sorry if I sound naive). As I say I'm not looking to stick around the UK and my original plan was simply do the PGCE, then go and teach English in Asia. My initial reason to do the PGCE was to simply use it indirectly, as a kind of stepping stone, as it's a good certificate to have (to get into the HK NET programme for example having a PGCE is very beneficial) but thought why not do the induction year in The UK at least. However, from what it seems that is certainly not enough unless you 1 go for a bad school or 2 get lucky. As mentioned I don't mind a poor salary, but maybe the schools that don't pay much really aren't good to work for (?).

As I said I'm not interested in ME, but, I guess China is a possibility. If it was a proper international school in China would that experience be valid for other 'better' IS jobs?

I just mentioned my TESOL as it can't do any harm; after all it's not exactly unrelated. I'd be teaching foreign languages which is the closest school subject to TEFLing.

"However, if it doesn't work out, it is likely you will end up back in the UK doing your two years before you head out again.

Sorry, bit confused what you mean by the two years? You mean going back to The UK to get sufficient experience to be eligible for good IS jobs?


Thanks again,
Kevin
by kevin
Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:47 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?
Replies: 20
Views: 33547

Only 1 year post-PGCE experience enough?

Hi

I saw someone post on another forum that they have a PGCE and are doing their induction year in the UK and want to try to find an international school job in HK right after. I just started wondering, for a decent international school is 1 year post-PGCE i.e. your induction year ENOUGH?

I have an MA in TESOL and am doing a PGCE secondary in Spanish and French. I’m thinking about doing my induction, but looking for an international school right after that.

I really genuinely don’t care about salary at the moment. I’d just like to get into a real international school (i.e. not one of those Chinese/Thai ‘international’ in name only schools). I can’t stress that enough. My aim is just to get experience as I have a decent amount of savings and have always been very good managing my finances and at the moment the salary is not high on my agenda. I just say this in case there are some decent international schools that don’t pay so well!

Would my chances be low due to only 1 year induction in my home country? I’m pretty flexible where to go at least for getting some experience, except probably The Middle East/Africa. I’m interested in countries like HK, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea, Singapore and several countries in Europe.

Are most schools in Switzerland pretty much the ones that require loads of experience? I really wouldn’t care about a poor salary as I said above, I’d just really like to try Switzerland to improve my French and start learning German again, however, Switzerland comes off to me as one of those countries that are only for teachers with a lot of experience with lots of elite ISs there. Would that be accurate?

I realise there are more international school jobs available for maths/English etc, but at the same time maybe there isn’t as much competition for some language jobs for people speaking 2 foreign languages quite well? Just curious.


Thanks in advance!
Kevin
by kevin
Fri May 29, 2015 3:28 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Schools in Morocco
Replies: 6
Views: 10155

Re: Schools in Morocco

Hi WiseTeach,

Have you not encountered any problems transferring your Dirhams to USD/EUR/GBP or for trying to send a bank transfer from Morocco to your bank account in your home country?
by kevin
Wed May 27, 2015 1:04 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: A PGCE in England or Northern Ireland?
Replies: 13
Views: 21327

Re: A PGCE in England or Northern Ireland?

>>>You can focus on any area during your PGCE, including ESOL.

Yeah, but people keep talking about how stressed and busy you are during the PGCE, so I wonder if I'd have much time for doing that much. I was interested in doing the PGDE in English language teaching in Hong Kong University but it would have cost a bomb there.

Yep, haha, "a wife tax" of 1,500 per month. She better be worth it! But, yeah, probably better just living together at least for sometime.

Thanks for the opinion about the independent schools. So, I guess once you're in (somehow) as you say you have many opportunities. I did register on HK NESTA which seems to be a kind of networking organisation but only have access to their "guest forum".
by kevin
Wed May 27, 2015 6:31 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Schools in Morocco
Replies: 6
Views: 10155

Re: Schools in Morocco

Morocco is a wonderful country to visit as a tourist, but I don't think I'd like to work there. It's a bit too chaotic, especially if you're living in the big cities and you never know what the "real" price is in many cases. In Marrakesh at least, people don't stop pestering you to buy this or that which is fine for a short period, but living there for a year or so it might get irritating (if you're white you'll always stick out and be the foreigner). Of course if you're interested in smaller cities they probably have a different and more relaxed ambiance. But, I imagine ISs don't operate there!

Also, bear in mind you might have serious problems trying to send bank transfers from Morocco to your home country. There's some kind of law that you can't take money out of the country (maybe a Google would give you a more definitive answer). So, if you save money there how are you going to get it out once you finish your contract, unless you hide it in your suitcase, LOL.

Problem with Morocco for foreigners is I could imagine employers lying, making excuses and so on not to pay, or paying less and constantly giving some excuse about this or that, however, maybe ISs are a bit different though.

Why not just go for 4-5 weeks for a holiday if you have the time? Or, as PsyGuy suggests.
by kevin
Tue May 26, 2015 9:49 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: A PGCE in England or Northern Ireland?
Replies: 13
Views: 21327

Re: A PGCE in England or Northern Ireland?

Sorry, yes, I would ‘prefer’ not having to teach French, but I will teach it in September and I think my level is better than some of the PGCE trainees' level in their 2nd FL. I realise it increases your marketability offering the 2. But, if I could also get involved in EAL during the PGCE I’d really like that.

Thanks, maybe I can find a HK/Asian wife in London, haha, then who knows, I could end up doing the induction year in the UK. Curiously for the HK NET programme if you marry a HK native you lose out on housing allowance which is pretty substantial at 1,500 GBP or thereabouts!

>>>>an their is a lot more demand in HK fat ISs and independent schools that have a concentrated host nationals or other non native English speaking student population.

Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean here. Are there private schools where you could teach English in HK? Online all I see are jobs for teaching kids there so wondered.