Job Discussion Forums

RWA1981 · Joined: 27 Mar 2014 Posts: 143

Is it better or worse than teaching English and why? How does the pay compare?

wgmarker · Joined: 19 Aug 2012 Posts: 47

Depends. I'm a DoS at an international program and my teachers get paid higher if they're teaching hard to place positions (math and sciences). Teaching other subjects generally involves much more work. Also depends on the type of institution. International schools pay more then most and university is generally at the bottom of the food chain.

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

theoriginalprankster · Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 895

I teach Journalism.

That's wrapping up in a few weeks.

Then onward and upward!

Wink

Guerciotti · Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 10:50 am Post subject:

I believe 'better or worse' depends on who you ask. I prefer teaching subject courses because I always know the topic and goal for each class; it's in the book. Of course no one ever gave me a book or anything at all to work with when I taught oral English so my view may be skewed negatively against English language teaching.

Seems the pay exceeds the pay of most but not all English teaching positions.

Are you contemplating subject teaching?

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I teach "Language Arts" which includes (in no certain order): grammar, writing, reading and reading comprehension, phonics, spelling and word usage . . . anything else? I also teach math to two classes while the other teacher teaches science and world geography (of which I've taught both as well). Oh yes, she also takes them to the computer lab once a week for lessons on creating and using power points.

I am what you would call a "general knowledge" teacher in that I'm not a 100% super math teacher (for example). I know the subject, I've taught the subject at all levels from 1st to 6th, but it's not the only thing I teach. I'll come across some things on rare occasions that I've forgotten or have to do a bit of research on to find the proper way to teach it (mostly due to the fact that I don't teach the same grade level year after year). It's been a couple of years since I've taught science. I'm sure there is a thing or two that I've forgotten or haven't thought about for awhile. If I could stay in the same grade level and teach the same level of subjects but simply get new students every year, I'm sure I would be much stronger, overall. But I do alright. And luckily I have enough students on their toes who'll catch me should I make a mistake (much to my chagrin!). Embarassed

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

As well as teaching general English speaking and IELTS speaking, I teach a general business course, academic study skills, presenting and public speaking and western history and culture. I prefer the content courses to the speaking courses actually--most of them are a mixture of lectures and seminars, and I find them a bit more intellectually stimulating to deliver compared to basic speaking classes.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

In public universities, there will be no difference in pay. The opportunity to teach something besides oral English to (hopefully) enthusiastic students is as satisfying as a pay raise.

kimo50 · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 119 Location: Guam

Currently I teach US history, world history and literature. In past lives I taught modular tyope courses like WWII etc

Mikeylikesit114 · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 129

Since no one answered the OP's question regarding pay, I will.

12-14k in a 3rd-4th tier city up to mid 20's after tax in the wealthier places (without teacher certification). For licensed teachers at international schools, salaries may get up to between 30-40k per month.

For the higher paying jobs, they will expect a 40 hour workweek with 20 teaching hours.