Job Discussion Forums

[joint]

After May of 2012..I will hold a Special education teaching license for the state of North Carolina... I'm looking to teach in Asia after this... will my education license help me in finding a better job? I have heard before that the SPED license is not useful in Asia ..I would like to work either teaching english or in an international school dealing with students with disabilities.... any suggestions on how to use my license to its best ability?.
I would like to be able to save some money each month as well.....

[kev7161]

Can't speak for international schools but here in China, they don't seem to recognize the fact that some kids have learning disabilities or behavior disorders or ADD or whatever. On the one hand, it's a good thing as you don't see all these kids drugged out on meds. On the other hand (in my situation at least), you have classrooms full of kids who vary WIDELY in their abilities and, although not a professional in this area, I see kids who would definitely be classified if they lived in the states. Some of my students (and, from what I hear, other teacher's students) can't concentrate in class, others can't follow the lessons no matter how slowly I teach or how much I repeat, while others are constantly playing at their desk or whispering to their neighbors or disrupting the class in some way. I certainly don't expect all the kids to be these perfect, well-behaved angels (but in my fantasy world, it sure would be swell), but some of the behaviors seem quite extreme to me and I have had special-educational-needs children in my classrooms back in my other life. To be fair, they ARE learning another language and some kids have the ability to quickly pick up on this while others it may take quite a bit longer. A few of these low-level students seem to be whizzes in their Chinese classes so I deem these kids as simply not really caring that much about learning English or learning IN English (which is what I do in my classroom - - teach a variety of subjects in English). But there are a small percentage that are bombing out in everything and these few could probably benefit from a different kind of helpful, "special" education.

So, you may come and teach English (or you may land a job akin to mine) and maybe your specific training could help you figure out different ways to teach your students . . . or maybe not! But I think any kind of education degree will give you a leg up, but without the prerequisite 2 years of teaching experience, you may not have as many options as those that have the 2 years.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Qualifications play second here. Also, for a country with such a huge population, not many kids with disabilities around China that are not out there begging to make some gangster's life more confortable.

Besides, Kev is right about even recognizing learning disabilities.

[joint]

Would having a teaching license not involved in ESL still give me the chance to receive a higher salary If I wanted to teach ESL?

[big_big_bang_theory_fan]

Intentionally obtaining an expensive "specialized" education degree and you want to go to China? Why? What keeps you from getting a significantly higher paying (and more) job in the U.S.?

China DOES IN FACT have Special Ed. schools and programs, despite what other people may say. Of course, this would be in larger cities. But they are unlikely to hire ESL teachers. They will hire Spec.Ed. teachers, but you will need Chinese communication skills (advanced).

You're barking up the wrong tree to come do that in China.

[Non Sequitur]

You will find Special Ed jobs in the international schools. Many are very big and will have students across the ability spectrum.
Better pay as well.
ESL is not blocked off for you in the international schools but as they are bi lingual from an early age you won't find the ESL that us 'run of the mill' FTs do.
That said, I feel you will have better China experience if you do take on a few ESL classes - maybe weekend language school work?

[JamesD]

What about students with physical disabilities? There are numerous schools for the blind and deaf which could benefit from your specialty.

[Miles Smiles]

[joint]

I'm in the process of figuring out which Asian country would be a good fit for me ..my credentials of having a BA in History already, and soon having a North Carolina teaching license for special education coupled with around 8+ years of being a teaching assistant or substitute teacher are all the experience I have.... sure I can find a job easily in North Carolina especially being a male and in special education but my heart is set on trying out living and working in Asia... and learning how to teach ESL would just be another part of professional development....so im going to see what is the viewpoint of experienced people already out there in the workworld

[DosEquisX]

[joint]

Thanks for the feedback....My heart is set on spending a few years abroad teaching and learning other cultures ,...I'm 44 so would like to do some travelling and teaching while I'm not too old and before age be a factor on whether or not im going to get a job.... have been to Asia a couple of times already and love the places I have been so far...so If China is not so marketable for me, then any suggestions on other Asian countries that may be more suitable...I dont mind teaching ESL.. but would love to teach Special Education in international schools if possible... as long as I can save about 3000 USD a year I would be pretty happy..but if it is less than I would still take the job and chalk it up as experience

[time to teach]

Check out Taiwan, many public and private school jobs there paying 70K a month plus housing but you need a teaching license or credential from home country to get them. Do a search, Taiwan has a couple very good websites for jobs.

Can't post job sites here but here's an example I just found:

Licensed ESL Teachers needed in Taiwan with Great Compensation!

Job Code
RS7250

Job Type
Full Time

School Type
Regular School

Job location
Hsinchu City, Taiwan

Starting
Feb. / 2012

Salary
$NT 65000-70000 / Month

Teaching Hour
20 Hours / Week

Certificates Requirement
Yes

Qualified teacher certificate recognized by the government
Yes

[Baozi man]

If you are serious about applying your professional qualifications to the work place, unless you can find an international school, avoid China. Even international schools probably have too few students to justify the expense of a special needs teacher.

Special needs is a relatively new area of education, one which is virtually unknown in China. The problem is that the language barrier is going to prevent you from working effectively in any country whose language you can not speak.

Probably with less than a Ph.D in the field, no one of significance will listen to you anyway. My guess is that Japan would be your best bet or S. Korea. Possibly Singapore. You need a relatively sophisticated place which recognizes special needs children.

In China, there are some organizations which specialize in caring for special needs children [NGOs]. Special needs children are those whose families don't want them because of their disability.

Just guessing but I'm probably close to correct.

[choudoufu]

[TexasHighway]

I would suggest using your special education license in North Carolina and getting a couple years of experience there. Then, I think, you will be in a much better position to get a good job at an International School in Asia or elsewhere. You would still be young enough to enjoy teaching in Asia for many years into the future.