Job Discussion Forums

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I really think that FTs who are considering upskilling and getting into the International School area, should make an appointment to see someone in such a school.
Ask what are the pathways into employment with them.
If you have a bachelors in maths/physics/chem then so much the better as these seem to be hard to staff subjects.
There are not many avenues open to FTs to improve income other than flogging yourself stupid doing privates.

Didah · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 6:50 am Post subject:

NS,

I knew teachers at Clifford and know the package. I was with an international school attached to a private Chinese university and our package was actually better, however, the school, management and students were another story.

You are right about the requirement to be a U.S. citizen to get Florida state certification. However, there is the IGCSE distance learning route based on the British National Curriculum. That teaching license will allow you to teach in international schools outside the UK because there is no QTS. However, when it comes to science and math, the QTS can be waved because it is a high needs area as long as there is a B.S. in one of those subjects. I am currently working with a person doing the IGCSE through a UK college doing the complete course online. It doesn't seem to be that expensive.

As a side note, I started in ESL as a second career but decided to get my teaching credential. The money and benefits are a lot better. I would encourage any ESL teacher that truly enjoys teaching and doesn't mind working with middle or high school students to pursue the route if it is possible. You will greatly improve you quality of life and job opportunities -- especially if you are under 40 with about 20 good years left. Many of these schools have retirement programs or are affiliated with a group of international schools that has one.
Good luck

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

I'm really interested in the PGCEi from Nottingham. I wouldn't really need the QTS as I plan on staying in China longterm, and should I ever need to go back to the UK I could take it up then (I think). The PGCEi would certainly open doors in China for me. I love teaching ESL now, but don't see much of a future in it, especially as I plan to start a family.

My only concern is I have left it too late to make this year's intake, as the Hong Kong 4-day face to face session is the only one that suits my schedule, and it may be a little late to be applying to that this year (especially as I'm not yet 100% decided). The Shanghai cohort meets in September, which I can't make.

The price (£3,330) is very reasonable, and can even be paid in two installments. CELTA cost half that, more or less.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

I saw the Nottingham iPGCE Shanghai is based in the October holiday, so almost everyone will have that 'golden week' off, I think it's 4-7th of October.

SH_Panda · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 455

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

Thanks guys. My mistake, I read the course start date (a little bit of online prep during the month of September?). Final day of the F2F is Friday 7th, with university teachers starting back on Monday 10th I'd imagine (unless they schedule Saturday make-up class on 8th).

Wish I could confirm my school's calendar for next term, but even this term is still up in the air.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

If they tried to do a makeup day I would call in sick or just tell them I don't feel well.

I may well sign up for ths, because you only need to pay 1750 for October and then another 1750 [GBP] in January, so it's very affordable.

SH_Panda · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 455

SH_Panda · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 455

double post

The bear · Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 483

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

Is there a big difference between teaching freshman university students and high school students in China?

I have no experience of high school, so would be interested to hear.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

If it's one of the 'foreign language high schools' the kids would have some experience of exposure to a FT.
The transition problem (high school to uni) lies with the Gao Kao in my view.
There is no Oral English component in the GK, which means no Oral English classes in the exam year (year 3).
If the student opts to sit GK again, to get a better mark, then the kid that arrives in your uni freshman class will not have had formal Oral English for 2 years.

The bear · Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 483

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

Teach Now?
http://teach-now.com/

Has anybody gone (or thought about going) down this route?

It only takes 9 months to complete to obtain a proper teaching certification with teaching license.

This first 6 months of the program is all online (15hrs/wk), which should be very manageable.
My biggest concern would be that it might be difficult to get the last 3 months of supervised teaching completed in China.
Another concern is that it seems a little pricy ($6000). But perhaps it could be a ticket into the highly paid IS jobs in China & SEA.

Thoughts?