Job Discussion Forums

[getbehindthemule]

To all of you more experienced and knowledgeable folk here on Dave's, I just want to seek some advice and/or suggestions with regard to this post's subject:
In a nutshell, I am a relative newbie in my second year teaching but I have recently decided that I want to stick at it for the foreseeable future. So, what are the best options for me to better my teaching credentials? I know obtaining a teaching license from my home country is the best way into the better international school job, but besides this?

About me:
Mid-30s
BSc.
Many years of experience in industry (inc. Research/Training/Technical/Management)
Instructor skills certifications
TESOL (i-i 120hr)
2 years teaching Science in China (Primary)

Location/Goal:
Currently in China and would like to stay here for another year or two.
In the future I would like to teach in SE Asia and possibly Japan.
Considering the above, how strong are my teaching credentials at the moment? What is a logical next step in your opinion?

Any advice / feedback would be much appreciated.

[bograt]

You need to be more specific about what kind of teaching you want to do, to get really useful advice. 'I would like to teach in SE Asia and possibly Japan.' is a bit vague

[getbehindthemule]

Okay, sorry, I should have been more specific:
I would like to continue to teach Science (at primary level), preferably at an International school. Will the fact that I don't have a teaching license from my home country rule me out for a lot of these positions in SEA?
Any suggestions as to what I could do next to improve my credentials?

[nomad soul]

[RiverMystic]

Yes, teaching credentials will be necessary in most international schools. I can't say all, because I don't know all of them.

In the long run you should deliberately seek career capital. Always take on work and projects which help you develop skills and abilities that are desirable and/or rare. Keep doing this till the day you retire. Don't be lazy and just take the easiest jobs and responsibilities.

[Non Sequitur]

If there is an international school near you why not ask to see a department head and get their input?
A friend who is registered and classroom experienced in her home country was getting 4x what I was earning as FT.
This was a true International with expat students as well as wealthy locals.
I agree with RM. Full home country registration is the prerequisite for higher paying China teaching jobs.

[getbehindthemule]

Thank you for the feedback.

RM:
100% correct and I have recently had that wake up call.
I have just taken on a small class on Saturdays, teaching English (Side by Side) to young learners. It is well paid and will help to develop my skills. I plan to take on more projects going forward. Great reply, Thank you

ns / NS:
Thank you, yes, I currently work for the local department of an international school and I am aware that full home country registration is required for the IB/PYP departments. And, also how their wages are considerably higher.

As getting fully licensed and experiened in my home country is not a viable option for me. I was just looking for alternative ways to improve my credentials. eg. Is it worth doing a CELTA/DELTA, would the investment improve my resume much (I have read numerous posts on this topic and opinion varies).

[nomad soul]

[SH_Panda]

If you want to move toward teaching a subject that wasn't your degree subject, how can you prove your knowledge in that subject to potential employers? Would you have to do a masters online in that field, or something else?

That's if returning home to do a PGCE or equivalent isn't possible.

[Laurence]

[getbehindthemule]

nomad:
I will definitely do that. Thanks again for the sound advice.

[nomad soul]

Also be mindful that employers in other countries may not count your China science teaching experience as valid because you don't hold a k-12 teacher qualification. In other words, they're likely to only consider a job applicant's experience gained post qualification. That's something to think about if you plan to work a few more years in similar teaching situations before pursuing certification.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

[getbehindthemule]

Thanks again Nomad...

There is one huge factor preventing me from getting K-12 certification in my home country, Ireland. As highlighted in bold below, this archaic rule still applies to primary school teachers in Ireland (even though almost nobody speaks the language anymore):

Primary teachers

Primary school teachers must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged 4 to 12 years. To qualify as a primary school teacher, you must have completed one of the following:
•A recognised full-time degree programme, leading to the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree
•A recognised Professional Masters in Education (Primary)
A list of recognised colleges providing approved programmes is available on the website of the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Irish language requirements: Primary school teachers must be able to teach the Irish language and the range of primary school subjects through Irish.

[nomad soul]