Job Discussion Forums

[shmooj]

Tried searching for this on this forum and nothing came up. Tried posting on another newsgroup on the net but NO replies at all - what gives?

So, Obiwan, you're my only hope...

Thinking of working for the British Council. . .

Anyone done that? Pros, cons, ups, downs... anyone in particular worked in middle management? Interested in long-term prospects of moving into higher positions. Am I nuts?

[naturegirl321]

I'm also interested in working for them. I emailed and it's been about a week and haven't heard anything from them.

[shmooj]

I'm confused ... you emailed?

Their website has a lot more than just an email involved in the application process. Perhaps you know something I don't but I thought you had to fill in their online forms etc etc in appication for their positions.

If you don't mind me asking, what is it about them that interests you - or is it just the location itself that attracts you about the job?

[naturegirl321]

Sorry, maybe I should explain myself. I went to the Britsh Council Romania website and it says for info and an app, email, this address. I did and am still waiting for a reply. And it's the location that intersts me.

[shmooj]

Oh right I get it

Interesting through because the Brit Council UK website has no jobs in Romania on offer right now. Have they advertised or are you just lodging your resume with them kind of thing? I'm interested in this because it helps me understand how centralised their hiring policy is and how much autonomy the local centres have in hiring.

Also, what are you going to do about an interview? Do they insist on one? I see you are in China - do you think they'd ask you to visit a centre in China to attend for interview?

Tell me where to go if I seem too nosy but, hey, you're the only person in cyberspace who has ever responded to this request! Perhaps NO ONE works for the Council and it's all just a big con to fool you and me.

No?... well... never mind... just a thought

[naturegirl321]

Yeah, they just say for more info, email this guy. I"ll have a year and a half experience by the time I'm ready for a job. But I'm not a Brit and I don't have a degree in Education, so I'm not sure if I have a chance. I figure it's worth a try. I'm not really sure about interviews. I think that they might haave a place here in China.

Where do you want to go work?

[Afra]

I worked for the Council in the UAE. The family package is not good and they work split shifts. Better to stick with the TESOL Arabia idea or apply to HCT on-line.

[shmooj]

Not a Brit eh? I didn't even think about that. I wonder if you do have a chance. I have no idea.

I am a Brit and am more interested in the Council itself as a kind of long-term career move which will provide for the wife and kids than any location in particular. Possibly Africa, possibly S America. Haven't really thought about it. I'd probably decide depending on the job offer itself because, with an MA and 9 years experience, I'll be looking for more than just a teaching position.

Though, obviously, the salaries vary considerably with location, the benefits, job security and family package you get compensates this in some locations where you would never get this kind of deal (so I believe - I may be wrong!)

Also, with experience in the Council and the professional development opportunities available, I believe it would offer me the opportunity to improve my expertise and experience making me more employable long-term.

But this could all be a pipe-dream if this isn't what working for the Council is all about. I can hardly believe the lack of responses to this post!

I got to thinking that this indicates one of two things: either no one on here has worked on the Council because it is not something the type of people on here would consider OR no one working at the Council is reading this forum because it is not the kind of forum Council people would read. Either way it unsettles me a bit

[Afra]

Just remembered! I have a friend who worked for the British Council in China some time ago. They have several locations, as far as I know.

[shmooj]

Aha - Afra our posts crossed in the post as it were

Please, please could I have more info if you don't mind. You are the only person who I have contact with who can give me inside info.

In what way exactly was the family package bad (obviously relative to other packages in the M.E. which I know are some of the best in the world for TEFL)?

Split shifts I have little problem with, especially with a little child who would be home during the day and asleep in the early evening anyway.

But I'd like to know what the atmosphere among staff was like. Was it really cliquey (spelling ) and did everyone think they were the bees knees cos the worked for the British Council you know, what? kind of thing?

What were the PD opportunities like? Did they support you or leave you to flounder? What were the students like in comparison to other students in UAE and what about leave?

So many questions - only one source !!

[shmooj]

Do you know what kind of experience they had in China? You say you worked and s/he worked... past tense... so was staff turnover high (particularly in the M.E. where it seems to be anyway)?

[Brooks]

I would say that if you apply you have to be flexible. I know a couple that did their two year stint in Karachi, but then they got to go to Lisbon.

In Warsaw people tend to stay because they are married and/or have kids.
So at that school it is hard to move up because people want to stay.
I knew another guy who got sick of the attitude there. Maybe it was about the north/south divide. He is from Cheshire, votes labor, and doesn`t like stuck up people from southern England.
and another Brit who worked for them in Croatia just didn`t like it so he quit after a year.

At the school in Prague, they hire Americans part-time, but only to teach the TOEFL.

[scot47]

The British Council have teaching jobs and they long-term career jobs.

For both I think you have a better chance if you are a subject of Her Britannic Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Her Colonies and Dominions etc.

For the career jobs it helps to have gone to the right school. If it was a Secondary Modern in Dudley your chances may be less than a colleague who went to Winchester or Eton.

[shmooj]

[Wolf]