I thought so. Thanks

Had my first ever IS interview and unfortunately didn't make it to the second round. They told me the next day and the email saying they will consider me for future posts and I shall apply if there is anything suitable.

My question is: is it true or they just saying it......

IE_sciteacher wrote:
> The two year rule is bendable (there are teachers at schools in China who
> do not have licenses). It does mean that you will be aiming for T3 schools
> or Chinese schools with a dual international program offering.
>
> Often those people start at a school and get experience and then move to a
> better school in China after 1 or 2 years (often within the same city).

Thanks. We are applying to some bilingual school. How about these borrowed name bilingual school? are they T3 as well?

@PsyGuy
Thanks for your advice. We have been applying to various jobs in the past two days. just realised China has a two-year working experience required for visa application. I just finished my NQT and my husband is on his NQT year, does it mean we can not apply for a work visa in China?

PsyGuy wrote:
> @waybuloo
>
> You should consider applying at the dodgy ISs as well. You dont have very
> strong resumes and you have logistical factors that make you an expensive
> hire, dodgy is about what your competitive for. At the very least those
> interviews will give you an idea of your utility and you will get some
> interview practice.

True. Thank you, PSY. I took your advice 3 years ago to do a PGCE followed by a Master. also managed to persuade my husband to do a PGCE too.
I wonder if my husband and I should only apply for schools that have positions for both of us or one of us?

PsyGuy wrote:
> Do you have any business experience in a role such as a PA? Language
> ability is one component of the position but its one of many important
> characteristics.
>
> I concur wth @Sj in part, your spouse is really doing the heavy lifting,
> but neither of you have a lot of experience, even as a maths IT, one year
> even if its SLL is still a very lite resume, one that adding a primary IT
> spouse with 2 kids is a difficult logistical sell in IE, even in China.
> There are ISs that will hire you, and maybe a PA route is a stronger way to
> go.
>
> You should just apply to everything thats available, you can be selective
> when you have options.

Thank you PSY,I am also working in a part-time job that gives me the managerial experience, that's why I was considering PA roles.
My question is, will I go back to teaching in the future?

shadowjack wrote:
> Your husband's math is the selling point. You (at this point) would be part
> of the package of him. If he is teaching Math 11 or 12, then it is better
> for his prospects.
>
> You might not get in at a great school, but you can get in at a school in
> China, get the experience, then start shopping around. My advice to you is
> start stretching your teaching practices. Take on new roles, Agree to head
> an initiative. Then that will remove part of the perception of not looking
> foreign. It will also make you both more marketable because you
> demonstrably bring different skills to the table which benefit the school
> hiring you. There are schools who will hire you two for sure.
>
> Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. We are applying nearly all the Maths jobs that are available now. Only filtering out the ones sounds really doggy. We have to consider education for our kids too.

sid wrote:
> There isn’t really a “lead” when you’re both applying for normal teaching
> positions.
> Don’t go to a TA position unless it’s truly doomsday. Once there, you’re
> unlikely to be moved. And it’ll pay a fraction.
> Don’t move and then apply. Apply now, get jobs, move later. If you move
> first, you’ll both likely be locked into local hire contracts forever.

Thanks Sid.
I am not going to apply to be a TA, I was thinking about apply a PA for Headteacher post in a second-tier school. They need someone who has dual language ability and management background. I am currently running a supplementary school so I have some related experience.

Me and my husband and two kids are planning to move to China next year.
We are new in the profession. By next July, I would have two years of experience teaching primary and my husband would just finish his NQT year teaching secondary Math.
Because I have Chinese background, I am not sure if schools would employ me as a primary teacher because I don't look 'foreign'. Would there be any career development if I apply to be the PA for headteacher? Or maybe there are other roles I can apply using my language ability? Sorry for throwing random questions, we are just trying to maximise our opportunities.

I wonder what types of schools we should apply for? Should I let my husband be the lead applicant? He tutored for years before PGCE and he has a first-class Math degree and M sc from a Russel group uni. I did PGCE primary and M ed.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

to panda123,
Thanks for your reply. I am still working towards my goal, including going back to China to do a certification later on this year.
Just wonder is there any way i could be touch with you offline to talk about this? can you do pm on this forum?

@PSYGUY
thanks for you in-depth reply, it made me rethink about what I really wanted to do.

Let's put it this way, I don't want to end up in China, its good to be there for a few years but not long term. The teaching route you pointed out, as a primary bilingual teacher, as far as I can think off, they are mostly needed in China, maybe Conordian in Bangkok, so being a primary teacher is limiting my location choices.

If language schools assist with the visa then they are considerable too, but it depends on the location. If the commute is doable then I will try, the kids comes first as always.

PGCE is THE route undoubtedly, but I don't think I'd complete it in a year, that's why I've always opted for a 2 year part-time MA, which seems much more manageable between home/kids and studies. In addition , If I study part-time, I can continue my part-time jobs of teaching/volunteering. If I study full time, I have to drop the work, hence no teaching experience. Unfortunately I can not find any universities near by offers a postgraduate related to counselling.

Kids's education comes first, so if the tier1 school in Vietnam takes me then I'll go. Singapore/HK are out of the window now due to the high living cost.

Before I apply for further education I will have good think about, maybe my perception will change in time.

Hi am a Chinese from Beijing. Though I've not lived there for many years, I hear that some friends getting deliveries of organic veg/fruits weekly from organic farms outside the city. I supposed this kind of service is provided all over the country especially within the big cities.
I'd only buy meat/poultry/fish from supermarkets though.（carrefour and tesco etc. ) local butchers are known to inject water(some times chemicals) into meat to add 'freshness' and weight.
For fresh milk, I usually go for SANYUAN（三元） brand, the fresh ones (comes in cartons in chillers) had remained a good reputation over the years.

Thanks for the replies. Good insights and its got me thinking about alternative ways to achieve my goal.

@ Thames Pirate,

Thanks for your advice; I think I’d better stick with something I have confidence with for the time being.

@ eion_padraig,

I agree with you.

It would be very difficult to find a job with dependents, I was wondering if we can also apply for a scholarship for my daughter in the same school to make myself more employable? (My daughter is on scholarship now and she is good all -rounder, in the idea that she might add value to the school’s academic achievement? ).

Location wise we’d prefer Asia only, Thailand is our favourite.


@ PsyGuy

I appreciate your advice and will thinking over again.

For years, we admired our expat friends, we find them open minded and easy to get on with, that ‘s why we decided to do the same.

Originally we were planning to live sorely on my husband’s earnings, but when we looked at the visa system in Thailand, we know our best chance is to get a working visa, hence the teaching idea.

I really like teaching Mandarin, it’s the easiest subject that I can do well at, but not sure about teaching other subjects. Primary math and literacy should be fine but isn’t the market already saturated?

Counselling is great idea but I need a Bsc in Psychology or similar background. I only have a degree in Politics from Coventry University that is of no use at all.

As regards to a PGCE and a QTS, we have looked at an equivalent qualification. Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training is equivalent to a PGCE and it leads to a QTLS which is equivalent to a QTS. It can be attained in 1.5 years which is faster than a PGCE + induction year.

If I get a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training with QTLS, would I be able to teach Mandarin without proper training in the subject (i.e. by not taking the MA in TCSOL)?

So if you compare a MA in TCSOL vs. level 5 Diploma QTLS, the latter should be better in the eyes of the IS recruiter?

Route One: Tier 3 International Hire
I understand that I will not get a job in a desired school to start with, so one possible route is to pay for the tuition fees for a good (tier 2 and above) school while I start my career in low tier ISs and gradually working up, eventually end in the same IS where my kids will go for free (or mostly free). Is that idea feasible?

Route Two: Tier 2 and above Local Hire

Regarding difficulty in getting the job internationally to a good IS. We were thinking if we move there first and then get the job locally. By getting the job locally, would our 2 children still be able to get the benefit of free education in IS? I don’t need health insurance for my spouse, an excellent salary, or flights paid for; our bottom line is to get free education in a good IS for our kids. Would this be a possible route?

There are some posts for mandarin teachers at from these schools:

https://uptic.net/school/bisv

http://www.internationalschooljobs.com/ ... 23?cat=385

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/mandar ... ore-460204

Hi everyone, I wonder if anyone know about the Mandarin teacher's prospect in ISs?

First of all, I am a Chinese that been living in the UK for the past 16 years. I am a British passport holder. My husband is a blogger which means we can live anywhere in the world that has internet. We don't have any close relatives who live here anymore, so we are seriously considering to relocate somewhere in Asia in the next 2-3 years time.

In order to make this happen, I started an online course (teaching Chinese as a foreign language). Hopefully will finish in 4 month time, but I know a TCFL is not good enough to teach in ISs. I am planning to go back to University later this year to do a part-time postgraduate course in either MA in TCSOL (teach Chinese to other language speakers) or MA in International Education.

Typically UK schools rarely offer mandarin as part of a curriculum, to gain as much experience as I can:

1. I started teaching Chinese to groups of children in the weekend, in a Chinese school.(2 hours each week)
2. Will start volunteering as a teaching assistant to a local state school that teaches primary kids Chinese.(two afternoons)
3. I’m signing up with an agency that provides Chinese lessons in secondary state schools. If I get the position, I will be teaching Chinese 1-3 hours a week in these schools.

The time I move abroad will possibly be August 2019. By that time, I would have the MA in TCSOL or MA in International Education, and the listed experience. I may also fit in a level 3 SEN Diploma if I have time.

My questions:
1. Which one would be better to have on my CV, MA in TCSOL or MA in International Education?
2. Does ISs hire Chinese teachers abroad rather than locally?
3. What are my chances of getting a Chinese teacher position, having a trailing spouse and 2 dependants?

Can anyone let me know if my plan (studies and experience) will be enough to get me teacher job in ISs.

Thanks