Search found 5 matches

by Mathsman
Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching in the UK
Replies: 18
Views: 21225

Re: Teaching in the UK

sid wrote:
> Sorry, I didn't mean to appear judgy. I am not. The practices are
> different, and teachers changing curriculum will need to adjust their
> practices. Far be it from me to say that either approach is better than the
> other.

Not at all! I can get a bit defensive on this as I've a lot of experience with American teachers with a real superiority complex. Just wanted to ensure that different approaches don't necessarily mean one way is better than the other.
by Mathsman
Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:13 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching in the UK
Replies: 18
Views: 21225

Re: Teaching in the UK

sid wrote:
> Let’s not forget the huge difference in grading practices. A “good” grade
> in the UK might be shockingly poor in the US.

Is just a totally different approach, I actually think its the USA that's out of step with most curricula here. American tests seem to value memorisation and minimising errors on simpler questions, so 90% is a totally reasonable score. Most European (and other Anglo) tests focus on reasoning on harder questions, so 70-80%is more reasonable.

Having taught AP, A level, IBDP, leaving cert, and pre-u, AP is the one I wouldn't go back to. It's no fun and not great preparation for university.

Tldr: percentages may differ, but the grades are not necessarily better or worse, just teasing different things.
by Mathsman
Sun Jan 30, 2022 2:52 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching in the UK
Replies: 18
Views: 21225

Re: Teaching in the UK

star32569 wrote:
> Someone mentioned they worked there and I wanted to know what the work
> conditions are like and if it is difficult for Americans to work there.

It's quite different than the US curriculum schools I've taught at. Chances are you'll be asked to teach over a number of grades. If you teach a core subject you likely will only have one of each class, non core maybe 2 or 3. I know a few Americans who have struggled with this.

On the other hand, outside of the independent sector, extra curriculars aren't normally expected.

Behaviour can be bad, but manageable. Public schools are called state schools, private schools are called public schools, color has a u in it, and if you forget to toast to the Queen we'll drown you in tea.

Ease of getting a job will depend on your subject. I teach maths (note the s) and every school I've worked at our visited in the UK had at least 1 (sometimes many more) foreign teachers. I guess demand for geography or such will be lower.
by Mathsman
Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:39 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 216526

Re: New to The Game...

Spartan, looking at your list of universities:

A masters is a masters, especially when you're foot is in the door. However, certain names do pop out on CVs (oxbridge graduates are somehow always guaranteed jobs no matter how rubbish they are...). Bath is a top 10 uni, and their M.Ed. has a solid reputation.
by Mathsman
Tue Nov 16, 2021 2:37 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Is SEARCH worth it this year?
Replies: 11
Views: 18016

Re: Is SEARCH worth it this year?

Definitely. First time I've used it and within a day of going active I was getting emails from schools asking if I wanted to interview. Overall, I reckon I was getting 5 or 6 emails a week from schools. Now most of these were from schools, or for roles, I wasn't interested in, but there were some big schools in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok who I would imagine have no problem finding candidates emailing.

From my experience, it seems that this year is a teachers market. Being on Search means schools can see you and contact you. It puts you at the front of the queue.