Job Discussion Forums

ebooktrial0001 · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 156

Hello Everyone,

Instead of a year contract, I'd like to request it be cut down to three months with the following terms:

a. I'll pay for my own plane flight
b. The possibility is open for renewal if both sides get along well.
c. No matter what, each side will promise to give each other side good reviews.

I'm getting plenty of variety around the world; I feel it's helping me develop immensely, I'd like to continue to do so in an appropriate, professional way.

Here's why I ask that:

I just came back from Libya and before that Turkey. At the Libya job, I was forced to evacuate after three months; at the Turkey job before that, I got laid off simply because of budget issues. (I promise, these are real reasons, as I got excellent recommendation letters).

I love all the variety I'm getting and don't like to feel "trapped" in one year long contracts.

Is there any way I could humbly ask for this?

Thanks

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

Show up and apply. All they can say is yes or no.
If they say yes then you have what you want.
If they say no then move on to the next shop and apply again.

From an employer's perspective, unless it is a small place working from hand to mouth (as far to many language schools are), I wouldn't take a short term teacher. It is too hard to plan out the term or year if you don't know who you have available.

Also, tourist teachers are 10p a dozen. It's not like they have anything special to offer. usually, it is not worth even replying to their e-mails if they are not already local and ready to work. They flit around like flies on a dung heap.

.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Not really in Europe anywhere except for summer camp gigs. 3 months isn't even enough time to get to know a class and what they need. No employer would bother, frankly. I expect this will be true most places; if 'I' need a teacher for an academic year, why mess about with someone who wants to be 'here' only 3 months when there are candidates who will commit for the full time? It is just a headache.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I agree. Plus, what's the benefit to the employer? Why should they invest in someone who only wants to commit to short-term work?

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

Try "Westgate Corporation" in Japan, they offer three month contracts.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 1:15 pm Post subject:

Really depends on visa hurdles. Few employers will be prepared to invest the time and expense of this for a teacher who'll just be around for three months.

A year really isn't that much to commit to. At least for me, there isn't enough time to feel 'trapped'.

MsBlackcurrant · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 77

I've noticed that the Reed employment agency in the UK has been advertising 4 month TEFL placements in Sichuan in China. The next intake will be in February 2015.