Job Discussion Forums

[roamingteacher]

OK, I've researched Sri Lanka (no jobs), Brunei (dull?) and KL (still hoping). We've both taught in Bangkok already as singletons, and wouldn't go back with kids, unless to a nearby rural-ish area.

The kids (this time next year) will be 4 and 7 months - 2 boys. I have a PGCE (English and Drama), CELTA with CELTYL and an MA in Education (Applied Linguistics).

My other half has the CELTA and DELTA. We both have at least 8 years of teaching experience.

We would like to be near a capital city (for the sake of our sanity, we don't want to be stuck out in the sticks). However, we are happy (keen even!) to learn the language and would love to have friends among the locals.

I am mixed African-Irish - he is White British, both of us with UK passports. I'm aware that there is racism in Asia but unless it is horrendous and you want to warn us to avoid particular places, please don't start a debate about it - I know all too well the reality and have accepted it.

We are not party animals (any more) but we are young thirtysomethings and social life is important to us; we would love to meet other people for dinners, drinks and the occasional night out.

Obviously, the kids would need some form of education / care although we'd consider good local schools and not just internationals. One of us might stay at home part or full time, so we'd like this to be an option.

We'd like to be comfortable, but are not willing to sacrifice quality of life and time with the kids for money, so places like Singapore, Korea, and HK are off our list.

So a tall order but any ideas?

[celtica]

[roamingteacher]

Thanks celtica. Are there any international schools in particular that you'd recommend or warn against? Are the students pleasant?

[celtica]

The two major ones are Jerudong International School (JIS) and International School Brunei (ISB).

JIS - hard hard working teachers! long hours in very nice physical surroundings; well resourced; very 'professional' from the reports of teachers who work there, but meetings galore/committments to the boarding house on a rotational basis also. Coming from the UK you may not find it much different. Great holidays though...free housing, good pay

ISB is also well resourced (not as good as JIS) but terribly overcrowded...over 1000 kids from nursery to Yr 13 in less than an area the size of a small primary school in NZ or Australia. One football field the only green space....pay comparatively poorer than JIS or CfBT.

CfBt the lightest teaching load/committment, but arguably the greatest frustraton level if you are not teaching in the few 'better' schools. Actual teaching hours finish at 12.30 but at least three times a week you are expected to stay back for a couple of hours for meetings/workshops/extra classes etc.

In all of the schools I would say the kids are great.

There are none of the sophisticated attitudes of dislike/negativity/severe discipline issues prevalent in 'western' schools.

There is a decided lack of a coherent discipline policy in most (local/government)schools. You are expected to deal with any issues yourself. (Frustrating at times!)...

The major issue with most local kids is ennui/lack of interest/motivation. A lot of this can perhaps be blamed on a system of spoon feeding and constant exams from primary years onwards. Individual thought / questioning / striving (again apart from the 'better' schools) is rare.

[roamingteacher]

When you say 'long hours', what are we talking about? What is a typical school day in Brunei? JIS does sound attractive, but I wonder how often positions become available. I see their teachers are very well qualified which is encouraging.

Tell me this - would there be an issue with me being mixed-race African/Irish in terms of securing a 'good' job? And are there opportunities for teaching ESL for my partner?

Thanks - you've been most helpful already.

[jsteventon]

Hi

Do check out the thread 'Thumbs Up For Brunei.' Lots of positive comments on Brunei and CfBT ....

Don't want to repeat what is said there, but just to add that you will have far more time with your children in the afternoons if you work in a government school....much more scope for a relaxed, stress-free family life there!

There are - or have been over the years - teachers at all three establishments with similar backgrounds to yourself. I am sure your husband will pick up work - if he has QTS he can apply to CfBT too....

Brunei is a great place for a family - many have stayed for years and find it far from dull!

Good luck!

JS

[roamingteacher]

Thanks JS for your positive comments - much appreciated. I've sent you a PM and if you have the time to respond, I'd be very grateful.

All the best

[celtica]

The school day for the government schools - CfBT teachers - : 7.15 am - 12.30pm. With three days expected 'stay back' for 2hrs extra - maybe for extra class or time spent marking.

ISB and JIS have roughly the same hours. 7.30 - 2.30/2.45/3.00pm. They also expect an afternoon activity once a week , making it maybe 3.30pm - 4.30 pm finish.

CfBT have a spilt weekend - Friday and Sunday.
JIS and ISB have Sat Sun.

The teachers I know at JIS take work home, go in on weekends, do loads more work out of school hours than CfBt.

There are African lecturers at Univeristy Brunei Darussalam..... ....there are a number of Sth African teachers with CfBT - both white and mixed race......

Heresay has it that where you graduated from in UK has a bearing on your relative success at aquiring a job at JIS....I think positions come available almost every year - singles don't tend to stay as long as married teachers.

JS is a wonderfully positive poster.....have yet to hear a negative comment from JS.....but NOTHING is all wonderful.....