Job Discussion Forums

Blingcosa · Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Guangdong

Can I work for an International School?

Okay, I am currently working in a language mill in Shenzhen. They treat me really badly and I believe the pay is substantually lower. I was a professional ESL Teacher for 3 years in my native NZ, working at colleges, polytechs and university.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Communication (major: Media Studies), a Certificate in TESOL (one semester at a government approved polytechnic) and NZ govt recognised Certificate in Adult Literacy Education on the way.

I don't have specific High School teaching qualifications, but I have taught this age group before. Can I work for an Intl School or do I need a qualification in high school teaching?

Thanks kindly

Chris_Crossley

My friend used to work at a so-called international school in Dalian for two years teaching EFL. The school itself is a joint-venture between Canada and China, but, because he was neither Canadian nor a qualified state-school teacher of his (or any other) country, he had no choice but to live on the lowest salary given to non-Canadian EFL teachers even though he had a non-working Chinese wife and a little boy to support.

So, yes, it is theoretically possible to work at an international school, but it all depends where it is and what the terms and conditions are. If one wishes to work at such a school in a European country, though, I would fully expect that all candidates for teaching posts have to be qualified to teach in state schools back in their own countries. One only has to look at the websites of such schools to discover this requirement.

As for my friend, he returned to his home country after his two-year stint in Dalian (and after five years of teaching in China altogether) and is now undertaking a government-sponsored course in order to become a qualified teacher of modern foreign languages at the secondary school level.

lorrie · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 5

I think Chris Crossley is right... it depends on the country you are looking to work in. My mother works at an international school in Switzerland and I know that you have to have a qualified teaching degree (I'm not sure what it is specifically called). But I know people in Chinca for example that are in your position more or less, and they have gotten jobs teaching English at international schools or universities.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

There are "international schools" and International Schools, based on a British or American curriculum. To get a job in the top tier schools, the industry standard basic requirements are a primary or secondary credential earned in ones home country/state, and two years post credential experience in ones home country.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject:

BUT in most of the world, International Schools struggle to hire the teachers they need. Many, perhaps most, hire locally, and, when desperate to fill a spot, requirements get a little less stringent...

Best,
Justin

laconic · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject:

Dear laconic,

"(Most) hire locally?"

In my experience, that's the case throughout most of the Middle East. They'll always try to hire locally first, and only recruit from outside if they're still short of staff.
Seems to make sense from a financial point of view.

Regards,
John

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject:

I didn't mean to imply that their hiring is mostly local, though.

Around here, there's a lot of international hiring, as well.

But, people quit without notice, people get sick, people get pregnant...when international schools have a short notice vacancy, they really have no choice but to try to fill it locally, and quickly.

This is when the rules get flexed, no matter how desireable the job may be. When you need a teacher, in South America, on Monday, and it's already half past three on Friday...happens a lot.

Best,
Justin

laconic · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:11 pm Post subject:

Dear laconic,

Well, can you at least see why it would make sense from a financial point of view?
And yes - I did say "In my experience," which includes twenty years in the Middle East. Not that I can't be wrong - I most certainly can - but it sounds to me rather like you're using second-hand information. Is that correct or have you had extensive overseas experience?

Regards,
John

laconic · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:46 pm Post subject:

Dear laconic,

In the Middle East, saving money on such items as airfare, housing and salaries (local hires get paid less) is viewed as being a very positive thing.

Regards,
John

Deicide · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:51 pm Post subject: