I just completed the Teach-Now preparation program, and am currently waiting for the DC Dept. of Education to review my application and – hopefully – grant me a teaching license for middle school math.
Now the ugly part. I have no relevant experience aside from the 3 months of clinicals during the program, but I really want to land an IT job for the ’19-20 school year (somewhere outside of the US). Before this, I bounced around doing a variety of freelance jobs. I didn’t take the transition to education lightly and am committed to teaching, but I know what my job history (or lack thereof) makes it seem like. And I can well imagine it looking like toxic waste to recruiters/schools.
The “good part”, I suppose, is that I’m willing to work anywhere, including the Middle East and China. Of course I have preferences regarding location, but beggars can’t be choosers right? My goal is to find a K-12 school with some kind of relevant accreditation where I will have the opportunity to do my 2 years and start moving upward/onward. I understand the normal recommendation is 2 years of domestic experience before going abroad, but I really want to start internationally ASAP and am willing to sacrifice whatever else I need to do so.
All things considered, will I be able to find something for 19-20? I’m waiting on the DC DoE to approve my license before sending out job applications, but where should I focus my energy? I have a TIE Online subscription, most of their ads list 2 years experience as a requirement but occasionally something pops up that doesn’t. I know I can't sign up for Search Associates, but are there any other recruiting agencies that would be worthwhile for me?
Looking for some advice
Re: Looking for some advice
Sometimes it's a school requiring two years, sometimes it's visas - I think China and UAE both require 2 years' experience minimum, so you probably need to exclude these. If you can stick out two years in, say, Thailand or Malaysia at a bottom tier school, then you might be able to move up, but I really think it's better doing them in your own country before moving abroad unless there's good reason not to stay.
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wrldtrvlr123
- Posts: 1173
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
- Location: Japan
Re: Looking for some advice
If you are relatively open to locations/school (and breathing) you have a good chance of finding a job. Your subject area will impact that for better or worse to some extent (Math/Science better, Elementary, Social Studies maybe a bit worse) but is not a deal maker or break either way.
There are also some slightly dodgy/basic agencies that could likely get you placed somewhere overseas that was relatively safe. If you could land yourself in a country that would actually be an enjoyable place to live then it could be worth paying your dues at a less than desirable school (Thailand or Malaysia could be good for that).
There are also some slightly dodgy/basic agencies that could likely get you placed somewhere overseas that was relatively safe. If you could land yourself in a country that would actually be an enjoyable place to live then it could be worth paying your dues at a less than desirable school (Thailand or Malaysia could be good for that).
Re: Looking for some advice
expatscot wrote:
> Sometimes it's a school requiring two years, sometimes it's visas - I think
> China and UAE both require 2 years' experience minimum, so you probably
> need to exclude these. If you can stick out two years in, say, Thailand or
> Malaysia at a bottom tier school, then you might be able to move up, but I
> really think it's better doing them in your own country before moving
> abroad unless there's good reason not to stay.
maybe that's true but my first gig was at a decent school in the UAE with no prior international teaching experience (i had a few years pre-cert esl stuff, but that was it).
point being: don't get your hopes up, but don't exclude anything either based on an assumption. you never know...
good luck!
v.
> Sometimes it's a school requiring two years, sometimes it's visas - I think
> China and UAE both require 2 years' experience minimum, so you probably
> need to exclude these. If you can stick out two years in, say, Thailand or
> Malaysia at a bottom tier school, then you might be able to move up, but I
> really think it's better doing them in your own country before moving
> abroad unless there's good reason not to stay.
maybe that's true but my first gig was at a decent school in the UAE with no prior international teaching experience (i had a few years pre-cert esl stuff, but that was it).
point being: don't get your hopes up, but don't exclude anything either based on an assumption. you never know...
good luck!
v.
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shadowjack
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
Re: Looking for some advice
Desperate schools have ways of getting around the 2 year rule...
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IntHopeful
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:28 pm
Re: Looking for some advice
expatscot wrote:
> Sometimes it's a school requiring two years, sometimes it's visas - I think
> China and UAE both require 2 years' experience minimum, so you probably
> need to exclude these. If you can stick out two years in, say, Thailand or
> Malaysia at a bottom tier school, then you might be able to move up, but I
> really think it's better doing them in your own country before moving
> abroad unless there's good reason not to stay.
Thanks for the advice. I should clarify that I mentioned ME/China specifically because I will go anywhere, and from what I've read, they seem to have a lot of jobs and less desirability for most people. I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that I would have the best odds of finding something there. I would be very happy with anything in Thailand/Malaysia.
wrldtrvlr123 wrote:
> If you are relatively open to locations/school (and breathing) you have a
> good chance of finding a job. Your subject area will impact that for better
> or worse to some extent (Math/Science better, Elementary, Social Studies
> maybe a bit worse) but is not a deal maker or break either way.
>
> There are also some slightly dodgy/basic agencies that could likely get you
> placed somewhere overseas that was relatively safe. If you could land
> yourself in a country that would actually be an enjoyable place to live
> then it could be worth paying your dues at a less than desirable school
> (Thailand or Malaysia could be good for that).
I'm Middle School Math, so I guess that's sort of in-between in terms of demand?
In what sense are the agencies you're referring to dodgy? Can the agencies be listed here (and if not, are they on the first two pages of a "international teaching jobs" google search?)
Thailand/Malaysia would be amazing if I could land a spot at an accredited K-12 school there for the upcoming school year. Also would be very happy anywhere in South/Central America. But really like I said, I'm open to anywhere at the end of the day.
vandsmith wrote:
> maybe that's true but my first gig was at a decent school in the UAE with no prior
> international teaching experience (i had a few years pre-cert esl stuff, but that was
> it).
>
> point being: don't get your hopes up, but don't exclude anything either based on an
> assumption. you never know...
Thanks, will certainly be on the lookout for all regions. Hopefully DC gets back soon with my license!
> Sometimes it's a school requiring two years, sometimes it's visas - I think
> China and UAE both require 2 years' experience minimum, so you probably
> need to exclude these. If you can stick out two years in, say, Thailand or
> Malaysia at a bottom tier school, then you might be able to move up, but I
> really think it's better doing them in your own country before moving
> abroad unless there's good reason not to stay.
Thanks for the advice. I should clarify that I mentioned ME/China specifically because I will go anywhere, and from what I've read, they seem to have a lot of jobs and less desirability for most people. I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that I would have the best odds of finding something there. I would be very happy with anything in Thailand/Malaysia.
wrldtrvlr123 wrote:
> If you are relatively open to locations/school (and breathing) you have a
> good chance of finding a job. Your subject area will impact that for better
> or worse to some extent (Math/Science better, Elementary, Social Studies
> maybe a bit worse) but is not a deal maker or break either way.
>
> There are also some slightly dodgy/basic agencies that could likely get you
> placed somewhere overseas that was relatively safe. If you could land
> yourself in a country that would actually be an enjoyable place to live
> then it could be worth paying your dues at a less than desirable school
> (Thailand or Malaysia could be good for that).
I'm Middle School Math, so I guess that's sort of in-between in terms of demand?
In what sense are the agencies you're referring to dodgy? Can the agencies be listed here (and if not, are they on the first two pages of a "international teaching jobs" google search?)
Thailand/Malaysia would be amazing if I could land a spot at an accredited K-12 school there for the upcoming school year. Also would be very happy anywhere in South/Central America. But really like I said, I'm open to anywhere at the end of the day.
vandsmith wrote:
> maybe that's true but my first gig was at a decent school in the UAE with no prior
> international teaching experience (i had a few years pre-cert esl stuff, but that was
> it).
>
> point being: don't get your hopes up, but don't exclude anything either based on an
> assumption. you never know...
Thanks, will certainly be on the lookout for all regions. Hopefully DC gets back soon with my license!
Re: Looking for some advice
It depends on your subject area. But I was in a low-demand subject area and got hired for 2017-18, with just some years of ESL experience (in my case it may have been more a matter of the school not discounting the ESL experience). I got a few interviews but nobody banging down my door, however did end up with a great job.
My Plan B and you might want to consider this also - if I couldn't get a job abroad I would go back to the U.S. and go somewhere that excited me. If the purpose is a change of scenery there are plenty of options in the U.S. for that. Hiring is later too so you could pursue those jobs in April, May or later when the international hiring season is closing.
My Plan B and you might want to consider this also - if I couldn't get a job abroad I would go back to the U.S. and go somewhere that excited me. If the purpose is a change of scenery there are plenty of options in the U.S. for that. Hiring is later too so you could pursue those jobs in April, May or later when the international hiring season is closing.
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eion_padraig
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:18 pm
Re: Looking for some advice
China should still be an option. The degree to which schools can navigate the visa requirements and individuals' experiences can be used (previous ESL experience, being a TA in graduate school) to meet the requirement, it's worth a shot. It seems that it's easier once you're out of places like Shanghai and Beijing for it to work.
*edited to add - So though there is flexibility, I strongly urge you not to take a job if they don't get you a Z visa so you can get a residency permit. The visa situation has tightened in recent years. Working on something other than a working visa is not a good idea.
Again, the quality of schools varies greatly in China, but if you can put in two years, the options will open up a lot more.
Good luck.
Eion
*edited to add - So though there is flexibility, I strongly urge you not to take a job if they don't get you a Z visa so you can get a residency permit. The visa situation has tightened in recent years. Working on something other than a working visa is not a good idea.
Again, the quality of schools varies greatly in China, but if you can put in two years, the options will open up a lot more.
Good luck.
Eion
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IntHopeful
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:28 pm
Re: Looking for some advice
Curious about the China situation now. The last couple replies seem to be indicating that some schools there are flexible with what they count as experience (ESL, TA in college, etc.), but I have none of that. Never taught ESL, the only thing I have is my 3 months of practice teaching.
If there's nothing I even hope to spin as 2 years experience, does that mean China is just a hard "no" then?
Where should I be looking besides TIEOnline? I see JoyJobs seems to have a similar service, but are those going to be mostly repeat listings from TIEOnline? JJ seems to offer a bit more in the way of resume help etc., but I have no idea about the level of quality.
If there's nothing I even hope to spin as 2 years experience, does that mean China is just a hard "no" then?
Where should I be looking besides TIEOnline? I see JoyJobs seems to have a similar service, but are those going to be mostly repeat listings from TIEOnline? JJ seems to offer a bit more in the way of resume help etc., but I have no idea about the level of quality.
Response
I would start by creating a resume thats focused on IE and edu. Your past jobs dont really matter and they take up space, so being a butterfly who bounced from job to job shouldnt even be on there. If you really hate that your resume is so lite (and white) aggregate all the prior experience under job function such as: 2015-2018 Retail Sales, Any Town USA, or barista, or whatever formed the bulk of your work experience.
Id start sending out job applications NOW. Peak recruiting is almost over, just put your DC credential on your resume with a note in parentheses "issuance pending" or some such. Youre done, you were recommended your just waiting for the processing to finish.
Its important to note that the forum contributors consensus (thats a big thing for us) is to spend 2 years teaching in DE. IE isnt the best place to make your bones in teaching, so much of it is on the job training and experience and you have none except for a few months of field work. IE generally doesnt provide mentoring or any of the other benefits a new DT/IT needs. You spend those first two years alternating years on curriculum planing and classroom management, your going to make HUGE numbers of mistakes, lots of errors, and lots of learning experiences for you more so than the students. That said lots of desperate bottom tier ISs exist that will be happy you have a credential and have a subject like math that your certified in.
You can actually join SA, you will just be applying as an "intern" with SA, which means you can go to the BOS fair (which we are in the middle of now) but it gets you access to the full jobs database (you pay the same fees as regular IT candidates). Diana Kerry is the intern IT coordinator at SA.
You can also signup for Schrole Advantage, its AUS$75 for a year and there are no experience requirements. They have a nice database.
TES is an option, a free database of jobs you can apply to on their site and then quick apply for as jobs youre interested in pop up. Its more focused on BSs and UK ITs/DTs however. Once you get your DC credential you should immediately apply for QTS online (free, takes about 15 minutes).
https://teacherservices.education.gov.u ... ecognition
If you only plan on the maths credentialing area, and you have a background in math you can probably let the DC credential expire and not renew it, and just keep the QTS, as by the time you will need to renew you should have the requisite experience for the NJ standard credential, which is a lifetime credential (if you want to keep a US credential).
As you know TIE is an option and your already familiar with, I would ignore the two year experience requirement if you find an IS (especially a third tier IS) you want to apply to (more about the 2 years experience later).
The other option I would steer you towards is Daves ESL cafe, they regularly get bottom third tier ISs/DSs on their site for non-ESL vacancies.
There are jobs agencies such as Joy Jobs (fee) and agencies such as Compass and Teacher Horizons, that are basically free. I wouldnt recommend them, but it wouldnt hurt to register, you can always say no. Joy Jobs has vacancies that I find are available from free services or TIE as above, but their fee is very low, and if it finds you that one gem that gets you an appointment than the amount of the fee is trivial.
Generally, the more hardship areas of Asia are China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, etc. With JP and HK being the top, LOS and KL tend to be in the middle. Other hardship regions you find are the ME (livability but the coin is high) and the LCSA which has an amazing lifestyle but the coin is very low.
As to the "2 years experience requirement" I concur with @SJ, that there are ways around that a desperate IS can employ. So while you dont have any TA or ESOL or other types of experience, the reality is that immigration and labor (such as in China, etc.) make those decisions based on a resume that the IS submits with the application, and the understanding is that the IS has vetted the experience. There isnt going to be an inspector from immigration sending out emails or making phone calls to verify the experience. In addition a lot of the ESOL and the cram ESs and other types of experience disappear fairly often. You essentially could say on your resume you had X years of teaching ESOL anywhere in Asia you wanted too, you also could say you were a maths tutor with a cram center in the US or you did EC or anything. Your resume could say anything when it comes to experience that isnt FTE at an IS or DS. Just write a resume that you were backpacking through X, and when your coin ran out you werent ready to leave yet, so you taught at a number of DSs and ESs where you stayed a couple months here and there before moving on, and thats were you fell in love with teaching and why you went through teacher credentialing but because of cost of living and minimum opportunities in the DC area you have to look OS for employment opportunities.
Middle School maths isnt really in high demand, it depends what areas of maths you can comfortably teach. The DC credential only covers years 4-8 and which isnt even algebra. Its basically a lot of integrated maths, some consumer maths and pre-algebra. You would have better marketability as a primary/elementary maths specialist than you would as a lower secondary maths IT. If you cant teach algebra or geometry or anything at AP level, or even foundations level youre not much of a maths IT. Your not qualified (based on your credential) for IGCSE level or even all of MYP maths (which includes up to year 10).
The problem with staying in DE in the US for you is that its going to be difficult for you to find a job. You have a DC credential, which allows you to work in DC, which you basically couldnt afford to do, and the private/independent DSs their wouldnt touch you. Your credential area is also limited its only middle school maths and other states would require you to go though a credentialing process that would take time and coin and likely give you an entry grade credential and possibly require a bunch of peer mentoring etc. all that and you would have to go though the expense of relocating to that region.
Id start sending out job applications NOW. Peak recruiting is almost over, just put your DC credential on your resume with a note in parentheses "issuance pending" or some such. Youre done, you were recommended your just waiting for the processing to finish.
Its important to note that the forum contributors consensus (thats a big thing for us) is to spend 2 years teaching in DE. IE isnt the best place to make your bones in teaching, so much of it is on the job training and experience and you have none except for a few months of field work. IE generally doesnt provide mentoring or any of the other benefits a new DT/IT needs. You spend those first two years alternating years on curriculum planing and classroom management, your going to make HUGE numbers of mistakes, lots of errors, and lots of learning experiences for you more so than the students. That said lots of desperate bottom tier ISs exist that will be happy you have a credential and have a subject like math that your certified in.
You can actually join SA, you will just be applying as an "intern" with SA, which means you can go to the BOS fair (which we are in the middle of now) but it gets you access to the full jobs database (you pay the same fees as regular IT candidates). Diana Kerry is the intern IT coordinator at SA.
You can also signup for Schrole Advantage, its AUS$75 for a year and there are no experience requirements. They have a nice database.
TES is an option, a free database of jobs you can apply to on their site and then quick apply for as jobs youre interested in pop up. Its more focused on BSs and UK ITs/DTs however. Once you get your DC credential you should immediately apply for QTS online (free, takes about 15 minutes).
https://teacherservices.education.gov.u ... ecognition
If you only plan on the maths credentialing area, and you have a background in math you can probably let the DC credential expire and not renew it, and just keep the QTS, as by the time you will need to renew you should have the requisite experience for the NJ standard credential, which is a lifetime credential (if you want to keep a US credential).
As you know TIE is an option and your already familiar with, I would ignore the two year experience requirement if you find an IS (especially a third tier IS) you want to apply to (more about the 2 years experience later).
The other option I would steer you towards is Daves ESL cafe, they regularly get bottom third tier ISs/DSs on their site for non-ESL vacancies.
There are jobs agencies such as Joy Jobs (fee) and agencies such as Compass and Teacher Horizons, that are basically free. I wouldnt recommend them, but it wouldnt hurt to register, you can always say no. Joy Jobs has vacancies that I find are available from free services or TIE as above, but their fee is very low, and if it finds you that one gem that gets you an appointment than the amount of the fee is trivial.
Generally, the more hardship areas of Asia are China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, etc. With JP and HK being the top, LOS and KL tend to be in the middle. Other hardship regions you find are the ME (livability but the coin is high) and the LCSA which has an amazing lifestyle but the coin is very low.
As to the "2 years experience requirement" I concur with @SJ, that there are ways around that a desperate IS can employ. So while you dont have any TA or ESOL or other types of experience, the reality is that immigration and labor (such as in China, etc.) make those decisions based on a resume that the IS submits with the application, and the understanding is that the IS has vetted the experience. There isnt going to be an inspector from immigration sending out emails or making phone calls to verify the experience. In addition a lot of the ESOL and the cram ESs and other types of experience disappear fairly often. You essentially could say on your resume you had X years of teaching ESOL anywhere in Asia you wanted too, you also could say you were a maths tutor with a cram center in the US or you did EC or anything. Your resume could say anything when it comes to experience that isnt FTE at an IS or DS. Just write a resume that you were backpacking through X, and when your coin ran out you werent ready to leave yet, so you taught at a number of DSs and ESs where you stayed a couple months here and there before moving on, and thats were you fell in love with teaching and why you went through teacher credentialing but because of cost of living and minimum opportunities in the DC area you have to look OS for employment opportunities.
Middle School maths isnt really in high demand, it depends what areas of maths you can comfortably teach. The DC credential only covers years 4-8 and which isnt even algebra. Its basically a lot of integrated maths, some consumer maths and pre-algebra. You would have better marketability as a primary/elementary maths specialist than you would as a lower secondary maths IT. If you cant teach algebra or geometry or anything at AP level, or even foundations level youre not much of a maths IT. Your not qualified (based on your credential) for IGCSE level or even all of MYP maths (which includes up to year 10).
The problem with staying in DE in the US for you is that its going to be difficult for you to find a job. You have a DC credential, which allows you to work in DC, which you basically couldnt afford to do, and the private/independent DSs their wouldnt touch you. Your credential area is also limited its only middle school maths and other states would require you to go though a credentialing process that would take time and coin and likely give you an entry grade credential and possibly require a bunch of peer mentoring etc. all that and you would have to go though the expense of relocating to that region.
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IntHopeful
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:28 pm
Re: Looking for some advice
PsyGuy, thanks for the very informative reply. Will start sending applications as soon as I hear back from my references (only 1 teaching reference unfortunately).
What are your thoughts on the SA intern option? I imagine it would be tight getting by at first on whatever they pay interns, but it could be a good opportunity to make connections at a better school than I might otherwise get placed at, get some experience at an IS (though I realize it doesn't "count" as experience in the same way as full IT), and serve as a buffer for all the mistakes I'm going to make throwing myself into the fire as a first-year teacher.
Regarding Dave's ESL Cafe, I have been looking there as well but sometimes it's hard to tell which positions are for math teachers, and which are actually for ESL classes where math happens to be the tool of delivery. I realize there's some grey area here, but the majority of postings there seem more like the latter.
I will definitely use the other free resources and consider Schrole as well.
What are your thoughts on the SA intern option? I imagine it would be tight getting by at first on whatever they pay interns, but it could be a good opportunity to make connections at a better school than I might otherwise get placed at, get some experience at an IS (though I realize it doesn't "count" as experience in the same way as full IT), and serve as a buffer for all the mistakes I'm going to make throwing myself into the fire as a first-year teacher.
Regarding Dave's ESL Cafe, I have been looking there as well but sometimes it's hard to tell which positions are for math teachers, and which are actually for ESL classes where math happens to be the tool of delivery. I realize there's some grey area here, but the majority of postings there seem more like the latter.
I will definitely use the other free resources and consider Schrole as well.
Reply
@IntHopeful
Intern appointments are one of two types either its an IS just trying to get a lot of cheap ITs too fill out a classroom because new ITs are the only ones who will consider their offers or they tend to be upper tier ISs that really want to mentor someone, but they are usually limited to just one appointment IS wide (sometimes the subject matters and sometimes it doesnt).
In IE interns while they generally get the lowest step on the salary scale its usually not horrible compared to what the standard step 2 and above would be, its generally linear. What really matters though is that the intern gets the same or comparable OSH package as any other IT, so if your going to Asia that means a flight, housing, and relocation allowance just as any other IT would get. Usually the disparity in package becomes more relevant when its an interns family costs in terms of travel and accommodation and tuition waivers/places, generally they arent going to provide all those OSH benefits for a a family of X for an intern appointment.
You get the same access to the SA jobs database as any other member and you can still apply for those vacancies even without the requisite 2 years experience. The major difference is really your not going to get an invite to BKK or LON as an intern candidate.
It is hard to tell, and sometimes there really isnt a functional difference between teaching maths for low level English learners and teaching English using maths for low level English learners. Its something to consider as the recruiting cycle gets further and further along, and a classroom is better than no classroom. You can always spin the latter as still teaching maths on your resume. You wont be hurting yourself in any way having such a position as a safety appointment in your back pocket.
Intern appointments are one of two types either its an IS just trying to get a lot of cheap ITs too fill out a classroom because new ITs are the only ones who will consider their offers or they tend to be upper tier ISs that really want to mentor someone, but they are usually limited to just one appointment IS wide (sometimes the subject matters and sometimes it doesnt).
In IE interns while they generally get the lowest step on the salary scale its usually not horrible compared to what the standard step 2 and above would be, its generally linear. What really matters though is that the intern gets the same or comparable OSH package as any other IT, so if your going to Asia that means a flight, housing, and relocation allowance just as any other IT would get. Usually the disparity in package becomes more relevant when its an interns family costs in terms of travel and accommodation and tuition waivers/places, generally they arent going to provide all those OSH benefits for a a family of X for an intern appointment.
You get the same access to the SA jobs database as any other member and you can still apply for those vacancies even without the requisite 2 years experience. The major difference is really your not going to get an invite to BKK or LON as an intern candidate.
It is hard to tell, and sometimes there really isnt a functional difference between teaching maths for low level English learners and teaching English using maths for low level English learners. Its something to consider as the recruiting cycle gets further and further along, and a classroom is better than no classroom. You can always spin the latter as still teaching maths on your resume. You wont be hurting yourself in any way having such a position as a safety appointment in your back pocket.
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IntHopeful
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:28 pm
Re: Looking for some advice
Just replying to follow up on this and maybe get some more feedback as this develops. I got a temp job as a site admin at a nearby energy plant - I think I was offered it purely because it's in a remote (and frigidly cold) part of the US and have trouble finding workers. In any case, it pays surprisingly well and fits my timeline perfectly as it ends in June, giving me an income now and some time to continue sending applications for the fall.
I have two interviews coming up with schools (or perhaps more accurately, companies). One is a huge ESL chain in Korea - from what I've heard the interview is a formality as long as you tick the boxes, so I plan on using this as my backup/plan C.
The other one is working at a public high school in China that offers a dual high school diploma program with the US. They mention "US curriculum" a number of times so I assume that means Common Core but they don't explicitly state it. They asked me if I would be open to teaching other subjects, I gave a tentative yes (obviously depends on the subject).
They cover flight and an apartment near the school. Salary is 17,500 RMB/month +/- depending on the province (I think 16,000 is the minimum). They take care of health insurance and take care of the visa. Class sizes 25-30 with max 25 teaching hours per week. They have schools in the following cities: Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Chengdu, Dongguan, Julong, Jinjiang, Shenyang, Dalian, Mudanjiang, Hegang and Kaifeng.
Thoughts on the China opportunity? I think it's not bad given my situation. Of course they haven't made an offer yet, just planning ahead. Also, thoughts on any of the cities, which ones are more/less preferable? I've been doing some research on them but it's always better to hear from people who are more informed.
I have two interviews coming up with schools (or perhaps more accurately, companies). One is a huge ESL chain in Korea - from what I've heard the interview is a formality as long as you tick the boxes, so I plan on using this as my backup/plan C.
The other one is working at a public high school in China that offers a dual high school diploma program with the US. They mention "US curriculum" a number of times so I assume that means Common Core but they don't explicitly state it. They asked me if I would be open to teaching other subjects, I gave a tentative yes (obviously depends on the subject).
They cover flight and an apartment near the school. Salary is 17,500 RMB/month +/- depending on the province (I think 16,000 is the minimum). They take care of health insurance and take care of the visa. Class sizes 25-30 with max 25 teaching hours per week. They have schools in the following cities: Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Chengdu, Dongguan, Julong, Jinjiang, Shenyang, Dalian, Mudanjiang, Hegang and Kaifeng.
Thoughts on the China opportunity? I think it's not bad given my situation. Of course they haven't made an offer yet, just planning ahead. Also, thoughts on any of the cities, which ones are more/less preferable? I've been doing some research on them but it's always better to hear from people who are more informed.
Re: Looking for some advice
The salary isn't overwhelming but its probably enough for a single. You'll need to keep close tabs on the apartment as the quality can vary greatly as will the location with regard to the school and you want to make sure they aren't hiding a boarding situation. My biggest question would be around the insurance, exactly what level of care do you get in China and does it cover you when you are outside of China?
Reply
@IntHopeful
You need to start with clarifying their curriculum, it probably isnt even common core, and could just well be they hire some US ITs and whatever they do in their classroom is considered an "American" curriculum. It could be anything, it could be nothing.
That salary is ESOL coin, depends on the contract hours and instructional hours. If they were offering you that and FTE benefits for what amounts to a PT teaching schedule it might be okay, but they have you on what is absolutely a FTE schedule with 25 instructional hours. While large class sizes arent uncommon in academy Chinese ISs, thats still very full classes.
If thats their coin the apt is going to be some cheap pre-fab student type of 1K, plastic everything apartment/flat. If the apartment/flat is anywhere on the ISs grounds be VERY weary of a boarding situation.
The insurance is very likely to be some local policy that handles minor ailments and incidents, and at most a broken bone, anything major, and the IS will just dismiss you, leaving you with nothing.
Guangzhou (GZ) is the big city its on the same relativistic scale as Beijing, or Shanghai, less posh, less elitist, but still major capital business city. Dalian is 'the' resort beach ton for locals who cant get out for holiday. The rest are basically industrial provincial regions. Some of them are more metropolitan, some more rural country types. GZ would be my choice for most of the year with its easy accessibility to HK, and a fairly robust expat population and all the things that come with it. Dalian would be the summer choice especially during warm weather holidays.
You need to start with clarifying their curriculum, it probably isnt even common core, and could just well be they hire some US ITs and whatever they do in their classroom is considered an "American" curriculum. It could be anything, it could be nothing.
That salary is ESOL coin, depends on the contract hours and instructional hours. If they were offering you that and FTE benefits for what amounts to a PT teaching schedule it might be okay, but they have you on what is absolutely a FTE schedule with 25 instructional hours. While large class sizes arent uncommon in academy Chinese ISs, thats still very full classes.
If thats their coin the apt is going to be some cheap pre-fab student type of 1K, plastic everything apartment/flat. If the apartment/flat is anywhere on the ISs grounds be VERY weary of a boarding situation.
The insurance is very likely to be some local policy that handles minor ailments and incidents, and at most a broken bone, anything major, and the IS will just dismiss you, leaving you with nothing.
Guangzhou (GZ) is the big city its on the same relativistic scale as Beijing, or Shanghai, less posh, less elitist, but still major capital business city. Dalian is 'the' resort beach ton for locals who cant get out for holiday. The rest are basically industrial provincial regions. Some of them are more metropolitan, some more rural country types. GZ would be my choice for most of the year with its easy accessibility to HK, and a fairly robust expat population and all the things that come with it. Dalian would be the summer choice especially during warm weather holidays.