Job Discussion Forums

[alexaspiringteacher]

Thanks in advance for all those people who have offered so much great advice on this forum. It seems to be a good source of information. However, I'd like to ask for some help relevant to my current situation. I am looking to leave the UK to teach in Asia for a year or two. I have a degree (Bsc Hons 2.1.). I currently live and work in london, as a teaching assistant in a primary school. I've done this for a couple of years, and have experience covering classes. I've got a british higher level teaching assistant qualification, but I'm not a certified teacher.

I don't really want to spend a year doing a PGCE (to get certified teacher status in england), nor can I afford it. I just want to go out to Asia, be a teacher for young children, and get paid well for it. I'm quite happy to get a CELTA TEFL qualification - this is already planned.

This is what I am looking for, in order of preference:

1. Get paid upwards of $2000 usd per month.

2. Teach children 4-6 or even up to 8 years old.

3. Work in a school with good resources, such as projectors, lots of high quality books, craft materials, computers etc.

4. Work in a school with good management, which is really supportive of giving children an education which meets their needs (ie. not death by worksheets).

5. Preferably have my own class, which I teach every day, just like a 'normal' day school. (although I'm willing to consider alternatives if I have to).

Now, I know an International School would fit my preferences perfectly, but I don't have a certified teacher status! Where can I get a job like what is found in international schools, which is accessible with the experience I have now? I've so far looked in to Korea and Japan. I'm open to any ideas, as I haven't really found the type of thing I want yet.

Many thanks in advance, Alex

[tttompatz]

The only places you are going to make the money you want and the age group you request with the qualifications you have are Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

They will NOT meet your other "requests" (resources and management) however.

A position in a (reputable) international school won't happen with your current qualifications but you should be able to land something in a 2nd or 3rd tier school if you lower your salary expectations.

If you drop your salary expectations for your first year then China, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia all come into play. Network a bit and move into a better position after you have some connections.

.

[Glenski]

I agree with tttompatz about the non-financial requirements you set. If you want modern technology, high quality books (Ha!), craft materials (??), and computers for students (yeah, right!), stay where you are. Asia has darned little of all of these to offer. As for supportive management, you'd do well to read the Asian forums, which will show you that TEFL is a business, not an educational matter, to most administrators. Teach the same class every day? Nope. They want to spread you around. You'd be lucky (here in Japan) to get the same class once a month.

I'm also curious to know why you mention leaving the UK, yet cite American dollars as a requirement.

[wiganer]

[Zero]

[quote="wiganer"]

[Zero]

It's a sad state of affairs when earning U.S. $2,000/month is considered a "lofty" request. Not necessarily untrue, just sad.

[wiganer]

[quote="Zero"]

[wiganer]

[alexaspiringteacher]

Unfortunately I'm not a tall blonde female so I'm not really able to s