Job Discussion Forums

[Jonikiro]

Hi there. My name's Matt. In college, I worked for three years in a department that worked closely with students with disabilities. Our mission was to help students with visual or auditory impairments, physical or mental impairments, or any sort of disadvantage, complete their college career on an equal footing with everyone else.

As such, I have a lot of experience teaching and assisting students with disabilities. I was wondering if there's any market for an English teacher with this kind of unique experience, both in regular schools or institutions and as a private tutor. Has anyone heard of niche positions like these?

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Hi Matt,

I know nothing about this specialization in the world of EFL (it's a great idea, though!), but I have occasionally seen postings for special needs teachers at international schools. I would Google "International School Jobs" and search there.

Best of luck.

[spiral78]

I've got a teaching friend who's just getting something organised for an on ongoing segment of students with disabilities. It doesn't comprise the whole or even more than half of her work, so far, but she's also got some specialist qualifications in this direction. I'll let you know how it goes, and if she's got any info regarding further opportunities, or tips how to create them.

[Jonikiro]

Interesting. It doesn't appear to be all that mainstream. I was curious if putting the experience on my resume would be a deal-maker, but I may have to focus on other aspects if it isn't as valuable a commodity as I expected.

[spiral78]

The thing is that I don't know of a situation where whole groups of disabled students are taking language courses together. This MIGHT happen in a very big international school, but again, I don't think there would be whole classes full.

In my friend's case, there are a few small groups at the university where she works.

[naturegirl321]

I taught ADD and ADDHD children, but it was a job I found out about from a friend. I got it after I had been in country for years. I don't know it these jobs are hard to find. I don't know what parents do who have kids with special needs, since intl schools are usually very small communities. Maybe try checking with TES?

Or when you get to a specific country, look for schools that cater to those kids' needs. The one I worked at what founded especially for kids with special needs. The founder created the school becasue the regular school couldn't help her daughter.

[Glenski]

A couple of things to think about, depending on the country where you apply

1. Experience may not be enough. Working with such students may require a license or special certification.

2. Working with students that are mentally challenged but who speak a different language is probably not something you want to get into without knowing the students' L1 very well.

[Jonikiro]

Again, the general consensus seems to be that this kind of experience only pays in schools that are specially founded for such purposes. Glenski, you have a point in that certification may be more necessary than experience with something like this. Thanks for the multiple perspectives on this, comrades.

[lucia79]

http://www.itsacademic.ca/job-listings/overseas-academic-jobs/special-education-dubai-uae/

Here is a job posting from It's Academic. They are looking for teachers who can teach children with disabilities. You might want to check the advertisement out. And if you don't meet all of the qualifications, it never hurts to apply and to see what happens. Sometimes schools make exceptions and hire newbies. I know that happened in my case when I was a newbie.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I can tell you that in China at least, it would be absolutely zero unless you are doing it on a volunteer basis. And even that, they don't want westerners poking their noses at there handful of disabled persons who are mostly either left to the wolves or sold as beggars.

Good luck.

[naturegirl321]

I found this place sterlingoverseas

It looks like a medical thingy, but they specialise in placing psychologists, therapists, and special educators in schools overseas.

You'd be working for the US military, so have the benefits that go with that.

HOpe this helps

[Jonikiro]

Naturegirl, the requirements seem pretty steep for Sterling, but it's definitely interesting to see that the opportunities are out there.

[naturegirl321]

Completely agree. BUt once you're in, you're in