Search found 14 matches

by mcfcok1989!
Sat May 02, 2020 1:33 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

Re: China closed

[quote=TheHuman post_id=58852 time=1588389093 user_id=250723]
I heard it from several teachers who are in China now who heard it from someone they know that has ties with an immigration official.
[/quote]

The only place this has come from is a post on the Shanghai Reddit page from someone claiming to have heard it from a friend who works in the Chinese foreign affairs department - this has now been deleted. Not exactly the most reliable source.
by mcfcok1989!
Sun Apr 26, 2020 8:43 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

Re: Reply

PsyGuy wrote:
> @Heliotrope
>
> Its not hypothetical, there are real regulations. There definition of
> exceptional already include ITs as it doesnt specifically exclude them.
>
> No IT that you know of.

This is a great example of ad ignorantium that I will be using with my TOK students. PsyGuy has zero evidence to support this assertion and in fact the actual evidence seems to be overwhelmingly to the contrary, yet challenges us to prove that it's impossible. My students and I have a laugh about those who use such blatantly weak reasoning. Clearly PsyGuy will argue this because it is inconceivable that somebody else will get the last word.
by mcfcok1989!
Tue Apr 21, 2020 5:20 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

Re: Reply

PsyGuy wrote:
> @mcfcok1989!
>
> Im not assuming anything, only that an IS can certainly behave in the worst
> way possible as being within their capability of doing so. Even most of
> them doing so is pretty scary.
> Yes they are two different things, moral fairness and an empty sack is
> worth an empty sack.
> Bad reputation doesnt matter that much on the circuit, parents dont care
> what ITs think.
>
> Its not impossible to enter China, you just have to be more exceptional
> than regular.
>
> @mysharona
>
> Yes thy can, they just have to be exceptional.
>
> @SJ
>
> Its a guess because its wrong. China is still issuing special entry permits
> to foreigners.
>
> @Heliotrope
>
> Youre friends failed because they were not exceptional enough. They could
> have absolutely been on that flight.
> Top tier ISs can usually weather these types of losses better and longer
> than lower tier ISs.
>
> @zenteach
>
> That remains to be seen based on the pandemics development. Those contracts
> my very well be worthless.
>
> @t_rock
>
> No contract is guaranteed, its just paper unless the IS has already
> deposited your coin for the upcoming year in advance.
> Yes there is a definite increase in animosity against foreigners.
>
> @monkeycat
>
> Its not laughable its true, if your an exceptional enough IT you can get
> in.

Incorrect I'm afraid. No IT meets the criteria for 'exceptional' as defined by the Chinese government as no teacher IS exceptional - it is not going to change the fortunes of a significant part of the economy if one or two teachers are allowed. There is not one single story of any IT outside of China getting back in, or any being issued with visas to enter soon. Stop trolling please.
by mcfcok1989!
Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:44 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Masters in Education
Replies: 17
Views: 25005

Re: Masters in Education

This is all very useful everyone, thanks so much! I'd like to do a Masters because I'm interested but also for career reasons. The cost is attractive, but at the same time I don't want to be working for hundreds of hours on something that doesn't advance me as much as other MAs, either personally or professionally. This came into my mind as I was recently looking at a top school in Europe for a department leadership role and they didn't even give me an interview because I didn't have a Masters, despite experience and other strong qualifications.
by mcfcok1989!
Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:11 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Masters in Education
Replies: 17
Views: 25005

Masters in Education

Has anybody had any experience with the MEd offered by University of the People?

https://www.uopeople.edu/programs/ed/de ... ation-med/

It seems to be accredited and is officially endorsed by the IB, but will it be taken seriously by employers?
by mcfcok1989!
Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:31 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Cambridge exams
Replies: 6
Views: 8709

Re: Cambridge exams

I did think that initially, but surely not! What's to stop schools saying, 'I don't have evidence but all the grades were good'? Even if schools are honest, then there's going to be so many evidence gaps that it becomes impossible to do it fairly. Imagine two schools: one with loads of evidence, one with not much. Is it fair to say to both 'Fair enough, here are the grades you think'? There's so many questions - I think it's a massive can of worms.
by mcfcok1989!
Tue Mar 31, 2020 10:51 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Cambridge exams
Replies: 6
Views: 8709

Cambridge exams

Cambridge have announced that they plan to award grades based on mock exams, assignments etc. - and want to see the physical evidence! How on earth can they think it's possible to get this from students, especially as they are scattered across the world? Even under normal circumstances this would be challenging - I'm sure there are a large number of students who don't neatly file away assignments, exams, etc., and even when they do, they might be covered in improvements, highlighting, etc. It's absolutely insane.

Any thoughts?
by mcfcok1989!
Fri Mar 27, 2020 7:15 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

Re: China closed

You are assuming that every school is callous, and that it's clear they will just behave in the worst way. Most might, but not all, so for those that are more staff focused, then it is clearly more problematic than you outline. What is legally possible and what is morally fair are two different things, and each school will have its own view on what to prioritise, especially if actions cause the school to get a bad name on the circuit. But I guess we will agree to disagree as we have differing levels of cynicism!

As for the flight example, unfortunately is is currently impossible to enter China if you have a regular work permit or visa. If all the flights in the world flew to China, it's not possible. So for the forseeable future, that's not an option. You mention the teacher you know who looks after IT operations etc. We will disagree on whether they would get in at any rate, but even if they did, the vast majority of teachers now stuck are regular teachers, so it wouldn't alter the problem anyway.
by mcfcok1989!
Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:44 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

Re: China closed

The IT hasn't abandoned their position if they physically aren't allowed into the country anymore, and were never previously told that they must return, especially if the employer has been consistently sympathetic. Additionally, there's one flight per week to China now, and plenty of countries have banned transit, so even if it wasn't for this announcement, it'd still be virtually impossible to return. So yes, tricky!

The ethical situation for the school is that previously they have been understanding and because of this have now put themselves in a position where that understanding may affect their business. Do they continue to be understanding or do they, at this moment of extreme uncertainty for all concerned, add to that by pulling the plug on the IT?
by mcfcok1989!
Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:00 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

Re: China closed

Some fair points, but a few further observations:

1. Shuffling things around / getting new staff in the interim. Where does that leave teacher sout of the country who are currently doing live learning? Does this carry on or do schools just tell them to stop and not pay them? That is unclear and quite tricky.

2. There is absolutely 0% chance of China interpreting exceptional individuals as teachers. Absolutely 0%. That's just not going to happen, period. How would you even justify that a teacher is so exceptional that they should be able to circumvent the blanket policy? It's just pie in the sky to think that will happen.

3. In terms of staff returning, it is complex and difficult, with many competing interests and thoughts. I know, because I have personal experience of it. People had genuine fears and worries e.g. what if you go back to China and a family member gets the ., and you're trapped in China (as has now happened)? Whilst that might not be a concern for you, that doesn't mean that it wasn't a legitimate concern for others. This obviously put the better schools in tricky ethical positions - they've not insisted on return out of care and understanding for staff, but now are in a situation where that compassion and understanding may bite them. How do they respond to that? Again, it's unclear.
by mcfcok1989!
Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:26 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

Re: China closed

Not sure I agree with some of that PsyGuy. Despite that quote you posted, that only applies to exceptional individuals, as confirmed by schools who themselves have been informed by government bodes, so most definitely not regular teachers at international schools. So, to all intents and purposes, teachers outside of China are stuck for the foreseeable future.

The interesting question is what happens when schools get given the green light to open again? Some international schools might have the majority of staff back so would be able to do that easily, whereas others might have many unable to return. Will they be able to open? When the school down the road can open and you can't, then that will create reputational damage potentially, demands for refunds from parents, parents taking their kids to other schools, etc. Horrendous situation for schools!

In terms of teachers travelling back, it's not as simple as 'Those who were willing did so'. There are many factors at play such as government advice from home countries, safety concerns and actually a number of schools explicitly told staff not to come back or didn't insist they return. So again, in such situations, teachers can't really be blamed for not coming back sooner.

I would be surprised if schools closed this academic year but I feel it may reduce numbers to such an extent that staff who have already been hired may be told they're no longer needed. The other thing is the question of work permit processing - I presume this will slow down, which will affect things even if staff who have been hired are still required.
by mcfcok1989!
Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:49 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China closed
Replies: 67
Views: 80128

China closed

China has just announced a ban on all foreigners with visas and work permit. I wonder how this will affect the remainder of the school year and administrative processes and recruitment for next year!
by mcfcok1989!
Mon Nov 04, 2019 7:05 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: European adverts?
Replies: 5
Views: 7608

Re: European adverts?

Hmm Spring is very late! Is there any reason for this? Does it apply to the more prestigious schools too? I have to hand my notice in by December, so looks like I'll be taking a gamble!
by mcfcok1989!
Mon Nov 04, 2019 6:13 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: European adverts?
Replies: 5
Views: 7608

European adverts?

Hi

I'm interested in schools in Europe starting August 2020, particularly those in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. However, I'm not seeing any vacancies for these countries - can anybody shed some lights on when the busiest time is for recruitment in these countries?

Thanks!