Job Discussion Forums

[gav71]

Hi

Having worked at the BC some time ago, I would suggest that British culture is used as content for the proprietary textbooks, qualifications and curricula. The BC is officially a charity and states quite clearly that one of its main objectives is to promote British culture, interests and its version of English. I would also suggest that IELTS (although Australia has its fingers in this pie as well) is in direct competition with TOEFL and to a small degree TOEIC. When I last worked there, I think of the approx 150 teachers, there was one American a few Canadians and a few more Aussies. I think that nearly all teachers had completed an RSA certificate or diploma.

I feel that most TESOL teachers (perhaps Canadians are the exceptions) have experienced your situation regarding preference towards/against American/Commonwealth English. It is quite difficult for educators with British/Commonwealth accents to find work in Taiwan, Guam or some companies in Saudi Arabia. Similarly, Americans find it difficult to work for the British Council, British Aerospace and in the government of some returned colonies. Another method of discretely selecting candidates from one TESOL region over another is qualifications. U.S. teaching and post-grad qualifications are vastly different from those in commonwealth countries. Your case seems to be quite unusual in that you possess a PGCE and British degrees. I would have thought that this would open a few more doors than normal. Most Americans would seem to hold a Bachelor and Master qualification, but no Post Grad Certs or Post Grad Dips. I have also seen situations of universities asking for a 4-year Bachelor degree to ensure North American applicants. Anyway...I have digressed...

Regarding university pay-scales, unless things have been changed in the last 4-5 years, most universities hiring instructors break the scale into Instructor 1 and 2 levels. To reach the higher level, in the past an instructor needed to cross the 'efficiency bar' through review. Even if an instructor had a great deal of experience, the 'crossing of the bar' was a necessary step. I think from memory it was around the 33000 level.

Possibly one way to avoid this situation and receive fair compensation for your qualifications and experience is to work in a similar position to the one you currently hold. There are many language schools in HK and every now and then a director position pops up.

Hole this helps and all the best in the search

gav

[Honky Nick]

I don't see why the OP shouldn't apply for the NET scheme. I got in with less qualifications and experience, and have done a PGDE in the meantime. As long as she did some research prior to the interview, then why wouldn't he/she have a shot at it? The pay and benefits are far greater than most other places.

[RiverMystic]

[gav71]

Does that apply to university positions as well?

I know that there are (or were) many South Africans in Taiwan, but was informed from a number of people that universities prefer North American qualification and accents. Additionally, many positions ask for a four year bachelors and don't attribute a lot of value to post grad certs and dips. Not sure about the secondary or primary schools.

Have you found that Taiwan doesn't prefer any version of English in their primary and secondary schools?

[JimJam]

[sushikurva]

,,,

[champ]

Friends,I need more info on this BCHK issue.Please post your feedback if you have ever worked for them.Thank you.