The International Schools Review Forum

Let's say you're certified to teach history.

You teach in China for two years, with history being only half of what you teach; you also teach English.

When applying at a better school as a history teacher, would future employers think, "Hm, but since you weren't full-time history, it's not actually two years of experience, more like only half that"

?

You have two years of experience. It's not at all uncommon for teachers to teach more than one subject. A friend in Bratislava taught three subjects, plus coached!

Our school would count it, and I think most others would too.

That is very valid experience and it would count for any school I can think of.

Good luck!

It might be half time history experience, but its still full time IS teaching experience, it counts for 2 years. The only time its not is if some bottom tier school is trying to scam you into accepting a lower salary in the contract. Just because the standards in the profession would be considered 2 years doesnt mean a school with its own policies cant say its whatever they want.

Its becoming more common for a school to write their vacancy to read "2 years subjet relevant experience", or similar language. You should still get the two years for salary step, but the school may not consider you to have the required years of experience to be qualified to teach that subject.

Many teachers especially at small schools end up teaching to some degree outside their field to some degree. Being cross certified is valuable to a school, and any loss of experience in one subject should be balanced by having experience in a related field.

Thank you PsyGuy!!