Job Discussion Forums

[Sara Avalon]

When starting out as an ESL teacher, which is the better contract to seek? One with a language school or one at a regular K12 school?

If anyone can point me to some associated topics it would be great. I'm still having trouble with the search engine. Thanks.

[Sara Avalon]

.. and before anyone scolds me about checking the forums before posting this.. I refer you again to the part that says the search engine has proved futile.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Do a quick search in the Japan section under Interac. They get you jobs in the regular k-12 section.

Unless you have contacts, or go with interac or JET then it's pretty hard to get a job in the regular k-12 sector.

I say private language school all the way.

Unless you can wait around until the next JET intake and have the requirements (and more, if you want to be a competitive applicant) needed to actually get hired, and don't mind not having a choice of where you live and a high likelihood that you'll end up in a pretty rural setting. Then I say JET all the way!!!!

[Sara Avalon]

Oh I'm not interested in Japan. I am currently in the Middle East. The language schools here I'm referring to are like Berlitz and HumanSoft (DirectEnglish) and K12 would be a primary, junior, senior type school.

[nolefan]

Wow Sara, long time no see on the boards..... where have you been hiding?


As far as your question goes, I think both options are similar in the long run: wherever you go, you will find disgrunteled students that have no desire to be there. You will also have your share of bright kids that make your word go round.


The general consensus is that most K12 positions are fairly relaxed compared to private schools and they pay much less. Quite a few folks I know end up teaching privates at the same time as they do their K12 gig and I don't think they're that better off.

If you feel that my answer is confusing, don't worry! it was meant to be..... there's no good or bad option....it is aboutwhat fits your needs and desires....

[latefordinner]

I don't know yet, I've only been at this for a couple of years, both in private sausage, er, language factories. I'm hoping to get a job in a regular middle school next. If noting else, because it will be different.
My first school I mostly taught grades 6-12, but I also had some pre-school, a few classes with middle school students and also some adult classes. Sometimes all the same day. You don't get that variety of experience at a regular K-12. Hope this helps.

[zaneth]

I'm in Russia. I've been thinking about the regular schools. Pay's lousy I hear but I like the idea that they're more egalitarian somehow. And they would give a much greater choice of where to work. And it would somehow be like "paying my dues" as a "real teacher". I've heard, though, that the paperwork requirements (for getting hired) are more strict.

Did recently hear about some kind of express teacher's cert program for native speakers. It would be nice to have an official teacher's certification, and a local degree.

Something about the (perceived) humility of a public school position appeals to me. Would that mean I'd truly transcended my middle class American birth?

[Sara Avalon]

[Aramas]

How about a language school that keeps regular school hours, or is that just a fantasy?

[richard ame]

Hi

Going by my own personal experience I would say that avoid the language schools. They don't really look after you and the contracts are worth even less than the ones you get at k12 schools. You usually get more holiday time and they generally take care of the paperwork easier .