Job Discussion Forums

horse · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 37

I've been thinking of throwing my lot in with the British Council - was wondering if any BC employees out there would care to share their thoughts on what they are like to work for, how salaries stack up locally, career prospects and training opportunities generally. I haven't specified any particular country, and obviously I'm aware that conditions may be hugely variable, but I'd be interested in hearing any of your reflections.

horse · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 37

mmm... Am I to infer from the lack of responses that employess of the BC have much to much work on to bother with such foppery as Dave's ESL greasy spoon? Smile

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 1:06 pm Post subject:

Horse, they are probably far too busy filling in the endless forms and filing the ad nauseum paperwork that is the hallmark of the BC.

But best of luck to you.

horse · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 37

Thank you, Sasha.

Yes, I do rather get the idea from other sources that there might be a fair amount of that. A pre-meeting meeting to schedule a follow-on meeting re the meeting of Tuesday last pertaining to timely attendance at meetings, attendance is compulsory - that sort of thing.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

A friend of mine works for them, but she's not on the forums. From what I gather, it's a lot of teaching hours, about 30 and she works on the weekends, but gets two weekdays off. She also teaches a wide range of students, kids (no thanks) to adults.

Pay is part local currency, part pounds. BUPA medical insurance is supposed to be great, there's a housing allowance here.

I've looked at their site and the pay doesn't seem to be fantastic, it's decent, but I think there are a lot of other benefits, like flights, insurance, housing allowance, moving in allowance, shipping allowance.

I've also heard their teaching method is very scripted. Not sure. Seems like a stable job and offers the chance to stay with the same employer but go to different countries.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 4:29 am Post subject:

As far as I know, you HAVE to go to different countries - just like in an embassy. Probably because it is the same as working for the embassy.

Wouldn't call their 'method' scripted. It's just standard TEFL practice, but without the 'life experience' lecture nonsense. Real observations, real lessons, with lesson plans and lesson aims.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

horse · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 37

There's the rub..... Well, what I'm interested in is working for a serious, professional company with decent terms and conditions. Hard work and long hours aren't a problem, but I would prefer to avoid extremes of pedantic pettiness and silly bureaucracy. Trawling the rich, but murky and mermaid-infested, waters of Dave's for info, I suspect that the BC is all of the above.