Job Discussion Forums

[BTSskytrain]

am currently seeking a teaching position at an international school for the 2008-2009 school year. have registered with search associates and will attend a job fair in february with many schools having a representative in attendance. have any of you guys taught at an international school? if so, where and what was your experience like? thanks

skytrain

[Guy Courchesne]

Can you narrow it down to a particular country or region? We're from all over the world here, but happy to help.

[BTSskytrain]

[dixie]

I teach elementary here in Mexico City. That means that the schools I teach in are private (parents pay, only those who really cannot afford it send their children to public schools here, quality just isn�t there).

Because they are private schools, it means that they are owned by someone, and thus are not only educational institutions but also businesses. I have found in previous experiences that this creates a conflict in the quality of education as grades are "adjusted" to present the notion that children are successful (even if they are not). Also can create discipline issues as despite what some schools say (and even pretend to do) very little is actually done, as the last thing any school wants is for parents to remove the kid from the school (and thus reduce the school�s profit).

Currently I am working at a school that does have some of these issues, but it is way better than any that I have previously been with. The fact that I have support, and am able to grade according to what the student does, and not how the school/parents/child think they should do, is fabulous. I finally feel like a teacher again!

One thing to point out (there was an earlier thread about this) for me there is a difference between a private school and an international school. Private schools typically have only, or at least a very high percent, of the locals attending while international schools will be a mix of locals along with foreign students. In my opinion, internationals schools have a better quality of education, structure and pay as often the students attending are likely going to move in the future, and thus need a "universal" sort of education and strong English.

I went to a job fair as well and got my first job here in Mexico that way. You will see a mix of both private and international schools represented.

I know nothing about teaching in Asia, but for me, there is no place like Mexico (or even Latin America).

[BTSskytrain]

dixie,

i really appreciate the informative response. i taught in the rio grande valley for a while on the border of mexico and spent many days in mexico. i do undestand your passion for things latin.

skytrain

[naturegirl321]

Usually you need a teaching license plus at least two years teaching experience at a school. And some want you to sign for two or three years. In Asia, you might be able to teach at an ASian international school without a teaching license. BUt it-s not connected to English speaking coutnries, like the UK. For example, China has their own international schools. I had a couple of offers from them. But they only pay about half of what a British international school would.

[BTSskytrain]

thanks naturegirl. yeah, i have a degree in education, am certified(licensed) in two states, and have been teaching in public schools in the U.S. for 15 years so i have the qualifications. it's my understanding that some international schools offer much better working terms and conditions than others.

[zorro (3)]

Judging by your name, I'm assuming that you're thinking of teaching in Thailand. If that's the case, I taught at Bangkok Patana a few years back. It's (I think) the best international school in Thailand and one of the best in SE Asia. It has a good reputation anyway. The lifestyle and pay should be enough to tempt you away from wherever you are now. On top of that you'll be teaching with some very good and professionally dedicated teachers with superb facilities (especially if you're into sports).

There are other international schools in Thailand, but back then, Patana offered the best package for teachers - around 110,000 to 120,000 baht per month with housing allowance on top.

Also, depending on what you teach, there are really good opportunities to develop professionally and for career advancement. If I were you it may be worth checking them out on their website (just type patana into google) and perhaps contacting them directly. The teacher's contracts are usually for a couple of years and that's when most pack their bags and head off elsewhere or back home so jobs are cropping up on a yearly basis.

Good luck with it all.

[BTSskytrain]

appreciate the response zorro. yeah, thailand would certainly be my first choice bit i would consider other locations as well. i have heard good things about bangkok patana. in fact they'll be represented here in the U.S. at a job fair in february that i'll be attending. thanks again for the info.

skytrain

[keepwalking]

If you are considering Latin America at all, check out the LAHC website. This is the latin American Heads�Conference and is an organisation for British schools all over LA. A British school is defined as one with a number of British staff and a degree of adherence to the British National Curriculum. That can range from a school which favours British teachers over any other native speakers and rigidly adheres to the National Curriculum through to schools with a British Head but an intertantional English department who pick the best bits of the NC and dump the rest.

All the LAHC schools are listed on the website and it can be a good place to start making contact with school in countries you'd be interested in working in.

I wouold imagine that other regions have similar organisations. It might be worth using Google to see if you can find, for example, the South-East Asian Head�s Conference - not sure that would be the name but a similar organisation is bound to exist.

[jammish]