Search found 307 matches

by expatscot
Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:11 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Where Should I Aim?
Replies: 21
Views: 29766

Re: Where Should I Aim?

@onebridge - that sounds like a pretty horrible post! However, not all of the ME is like that (it's why I suggested UAE and Egypt, both of which are relatively liberal.) Certainly I can think of schools in Cairo which would fit your view of being both less intense and with a decent nightlife culture nearby to go to. It's also worth pointing out that some schools in places like Myanmar and even China can be as equally hard going as the one you've just left.

On the "resigned in lieu of non-renewal" - you've come to the end of your two year contract and decided to leave. Nothing different from 100s of ITs worldwide - I did last year. If you're head would be prepared to answer the question "would you rehire this candidate" positively, then you've nothing to worry about.

South America might be a good option - it's never really appealed to me so I don't know too much about it. One good possibility about dropping your sights might be that you are able to get a promoted post very quickly - if you end up applying later for a better school, even if only as a classroom teacher, that will still be there and might make you stick out a bit more.
by expatscot
Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:11 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Where Should I Aim?
Replies: 21
Views: 29766

Re: Where Should I Aim?

OK - on the "non renewal" point, make clear that it was because of redundancies / reduction in staff and not your responsibility. Or just say you chose not to renew.

As a Humanities teacher, I can assure you that the marking is no different to English - you still have fairly lengthy written pieces to complete, especially as you move up the school towards IB. It can be just as brutal - sometimes even more so, especially in IB.

The thing is, I think you're setting your sights a bit too high for starters. What you are describing is a top end Tier 2 / bottom end Tier 1 school, which is fairly ambitions. You might also have a problem because you only have 2 years experience. You are also looking at a particularly competitive area, as Humanities vacancies are few and far between (there are usually less of us!)

What I'd suggest is apply for both Humanities and English roles. That widens your scope considerably. Look at US curriculum schools which teach both a US diploma standard with an IB option - you could also consider English curriculum schools too, but they do usually expect some teaching in the UK system.

I wouldn't rule out the Middle East. There are a lot of schools there which can serve as a "stepping stone" to the next level - particularly because what you're really looking for is to make the jump to a top tier schools. Right now, because you have only been teaching for two years, your main objective has to be getting experience under your belt before you can really start thinking about significant levels of saving (you're young, you still have plenty of time unlike us oldies!) You should give some thought to possibly at least UAE and Egypt as potential options, even if you don't ever intend to go anywhere near Saudi!

Good luck!
by expatscot
Mon Oct 23, 2017 12:49 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Application Timing?
Replies: 4
Views: 7568

Re: Application Timing?

Go for it, what's to lose? You could hold off waiting for a "better" one which might never come, and end up settling for something else. And, if you get the job, you'd also have the benefit of knowing what you're doing next and where you're going, and being able to make plans for it.
by expatscot
Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:48 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: January 2018 start - where?
Replies: 8
Views: 16667

Re: January 2018 start - where?

@Nomad68 - sorry to hear that about your other school.

@psyguy is right about mid-year runners, but given your experiences I'd be wary of them - check out the schools thoroughly as there's always a reason someone runs! I'd add Egypt to his list too if you're prepared to consider it - I know of one school which has already had a couple of runners and I'm expecting to hear of more.

There are also the Australian curriculum schools in the far east (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.) They are recruiting now too. It may be difficult though to leave these and return to the northern hemisphere timetable.
by expatscot
Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:19 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Help! Need urgent advice
Replies: 33
Views: 67725

Re: Help! Need urgent advice

@smile2017

Just read one of your posts on another thread after this one, and realized that you are married with a baby.

On that basis, and along with everything else you have said, I'd get out - fast. If you can wait for the first paycheck / rent allowance then great, but if not I'd consider just upping and leaving now.
by expatscot
Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:26 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Would You Want Your Child Taught by Your Colleagues?
Replies: 15
Views: 25073

Re: Would You Want Your Child Taught by Your Colleagues?

I have to say that, if I didn't want my child to be taught by my colleagues, then that would not be a school I would want to work in.
by expatscot
Mon Aug 21, 2017 12:31 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Visa issues for China
Replies: 5
Views: 11038

Re: Visa issues for China

No, not just your school, but virtually all of them. Apparently China changed the rules at the end of June with regards to getting the Z visa, and didn't notify the schools so they didn't find out until they put in applications. I got mine, but colleagues didn't and came in on business visas and are now in the process of getting these changed. (It affected my school and also schools which other friends went to both in the same city and in other cities.)
by expatscot
Mon May 29, 2017 6:32 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: questions on licensure and advice on IT
Replies: 22
Views: 36115

Re: questions on licensure and advice on IT

If I'm being brutally honest, if you struggle to work for 9 hours a day then I would question whether teaching is the right job for you. Many international schools start at 8 and finish at 4 - add on to that marking and preparation and it will regularly take you over the 9 hour mark, especially in the first couple of years.
by expatscot
Mon May 22, 2017 4:36 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: When to Stay?
Replies: 15
Views: 28298

Re: When to Stay?

I think there's also an element of where you feel you are in your own life as much as where you want to be. Firstly, I'm in my mid-40s, and looked to attend fairs this year (didn't because I got a job outside of it) - but that's because this is my second career and I've only been teaching for 5 years in total.

I think your own family circumstances will drive you the older you are, especially if you have kids. That's the main reason we decided to move, and took the decision towards the end of the first year at our school. It also means that our next stop will be until our daughter finishes school, so we'll be there 4 years. The advantage of this is that we could at least say this to schools when interviewing - yes, some will simply say "but you could still leave after 2", but at least it puts the thought in their heads that we might be willing to stay beyond the initial contract.

I wouldn't have the same approach if I was still in my 20s though, and I can see this with teachers who are. They don't have the same need for stability so are more likely to want to move around (and why not, from their point of view.) They are also more likely to be able to accept undesirable areas - I would never take my family to, say, Saudi or Kuwait, but if I was young and just wanted the money I might consider them.
by expatscot
Wed May 17, 2017 5:00 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Fun Question--Decorating your IS Classroom? What to bring?
Replies: 31
Views: 56890

Re: Fun Question--Decorating your IS Classroom? What to brin

The pencil sharpeners in my classroom get the most use when I have kids in for detention - as part of that they have to sharpen the pencils in my tray (and there's lots!)

Getting back to the OP, I like to decorate my classroom to try to bring a bit of individuality to it. I have a flag, a Zorro hat, posters, and key words printed, which I will take with me from school to school (and before anyone gets on about the "school holds the creations" bit of the contract, I did these in my own time and at my previous schools so they're mine.) I then get some kids work on the walls early on - and that's me. I did bring Blu-Tak from the UK the last time I was back, because the stuff they have here in Egypt loses its stickiness really quickly.
by expatscot
Mon May 15, 2017 2:17 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Grade Inflation and subsequent retaliation
Replies: 8
Views: 13898

Re: Grade Inflation and subsequent retaliation

OK, here's a question.

My school asks me to inflate a student's grade (it wouldn't, by the way, but this is hypothetical.) If I refuse, then the school might consider that insubordination. If I do it and am found out, then the GTC Scotland would consider that unethical behaviour and remove my teaching license. What should I do?

Just on a side point - I wonder if this is less prevalent in schools which follow IGCSE / A level / IB Diploma where there are externally assessed and marked exams? I guess the grade inflation could come lower down and even at the mocks stage, but would that not be found out on the external exams, when the pupil who has been assessed in school as A* suddenly gets a C or D?
by expatscot
Thu Apr 27, 2017 4:54 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Negativity in the workplace
Replies: 85
Views: 138448

Re: Negativity in the workplace

fine dude wrote:
> Here are a few I do:
> 1. Ignore the jerks no matter how brilliant they are (some teachers from this former
> colonial power can be a real nuisance).

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at here. I suspect that - because of better management law and employment protection - workers from the "former colonial power" are usually less accepting of poor management and more likely to make their views known rather than sit with their heads down hoping it will quietly go away.

The OP mentioned that the real issue seems to be the fact that all the changes are being implemented at once, rather than over time. That to me indicates that they won't be successful, however good they may be, as too much change in any organisation is unsettling for everyone, even if the change is both needed and understood.

Perhaps you could take a positive approach with the administrator? Try to persuade him of the benefit of a gradual approach?
by expatscot
Sun Apr 23, 2017 2:46 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Talking to your own kids" future teachers
Replies: 16
Views: 33066

Re: Talking to your own kids" future teachers

Personally I made it part of the application process - if there weren't the subjects for my daughter to study, or the opportunity for her to do certain extra-curricular work, then it fell off my list. And to some that will sound daft, but to me as a parent getting her through her secondary education and the best results is equally as important (if not more important) than my own happiness in my role - that can come in a few years time.

I did actually approach her new school about something, as I was concerned about a subject which she will be required to take in the new school but isn't here and is far from being a subject of strength for her. The school were reassuring, with a promise to keep an eye on her and for us to discuss it when we arrive. I don't think there's anything wrong in that - quite the opposite, I'd be more concerned about the parent pushing a child towards something they knew their child was unable to do.
by expatscot
Sun Apr 23, 2017 2:40 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Country background checks
Replies: 6
Views: 12136

Re: Country background checks

I would say get one before you go. More schools seem to be asking for them and (even in a country like Egypt) are relatively easy to get. There is also something called the ICPC which some schools require - it's based on the UK DBS system and run by Hampshire Police.

Personally, as a parent I wouldn't send my child to a school where teachers weren't CRB checked - it's not going to solve all the problems but it might solve some.