Job Discussion Forums

[newinSeoul]

I've been browsing this forum for awhile. I'm planning on coming to Thailand in the near future. I want to eventually get into an International School. When do they do their hiring? Does anyone know any good reputable schools that are hiring?
I am a certified teacher with 1 year overseas teaching experience and some Canadian public school teaching experience.

Thanks!

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Anyonghaseyo !


International Schools don't generally follow the same hiring

practices of the TEFL mills, hagwons and language schools.


They tend to recruit their teachers from abroad - and from 'members only' job fairs,

although you could get lucky and find an offer on one of the 2 TEFL websites below.


The accredited International Schools in Thailand are listed here:


International Schools Association of Thailand :: Member Schools


Keep your eye on these websites


http://www.ajarn.com/ (Ajarn.com)

http://www.teflasia.com/ (TEFL Asia.com)


but consider joining ISS or CIS if you're really serious:


http://www.iss.edu/index.html (ISS / Int. Schools Services)

http://www.cois.org/ (CIS / Council of International Schools)

http://www.search-associates.com/ (Search Associates)

http://www.uni.edu/placement/overseas/ (UNI)

http://www.joyjobs.com/ (Joy Jobs)

http://tieonline.com/ (TIE Online)


The International School academic year runs from August or September until June or July.

This varies a bit from one school to another, so please use this only as a rough guide.

[isanity]

Following on from what Kent said, you shouldn't be thinking in terms of 'eventually' getting into an international school: you should be starting in an international school. A year at ECC is not going to impress international school recruiters one bit.

[newinSeoul]

Gamsa hamnida Kent for the links!

Based on what you and isanity mentioned, would it be possible to just apply directly to them, considering they do most of their hiring at job fairs?

Also, most say you need at least two years teaching experience in your home country. Do you know if you definitely need this or they just prefer it?

isanity: What will impress international school recruiters than if working at a hakwon or ECC won't. What about teaching English in another country?

How is the pay at International schools in Thailand approximately? I just don't want to get stuck at another Hagwon I am serious about getting a decent job at an international school, where I can use my qualifications.

Thanks again!

[isanity]

Working in your home country is what will impress them. They want a teacher identical to the ones back in the home country, whether that be the UK, US or Canada. They don't want EFL-teaching-to-travel-types. That's why they do most of their hiring in falangland.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

insanity is right.


Accredited international schools are looking for K-12 teachers,

ideally with a BEd and experience teaching a variety of subjects.


TEFL experience won't necessarily count against you imho,

but it doesn't really help much in this particular market.


You could try applying directly, but I'd say your chances

are much better by paying your dues & joining the ISS.


Fill out the forms, submit a CV and play by their rules.


You don't always get your first choice in terms of location,

but after you get your first placement, you're in the 'club'

and you can be a bit more selective next time around.


The higher salary & excellent perks make

the application hassle very worthwhile.

If I had the right quals, I'd do it!






Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand ::::

[isanity]

As far as money goes, there's a big spread. At the bottom end there are pseudo-international schools, which are basically Thai schools with pretensions. They might well recruit inside Thailand, and would probably offer 40-50 thousand baht a month. Average real international schools, around twice that. At the top end there are big names like Shrewsbury and Harrow, which will give you all the gold you can eat.

[newinSeoul]

Thanks guys!

Kent - What exactly is ISS all about? I have to check the website out soon. Are they like unions?

I have six months teaching experience in England and only one year supply teaching experience in Canada and 1 year teaching English in Korea. I wonder if I should go back to Canada and get one to two years under my belt, before I apply through the job fairs.

I just figured since I'm over in this end of the world I would look into it. I really just want to go to Thailand and teach after Korea. My main concern is not wanting to teach with low pay and a bad school. Decisions, decisions! I am also not getting any younger here. I thought about getting my CELTA but, not sure if that is even worth it.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

ISS and CIS are the two main organisations that

place teachers in accredited international schools.


They also maintain a registry of member teachers and schools

and organise international school job fairs for their members.


Sort of like a union ... yes.


You mentioned in your original post that you're a certified teacher.

TIP: Be sure to keep that status up-to-date; it's your meal ticket !



To be accepted as a member of CIS:



All candidates are required to have current teaching certifications/qualifications, with the exception of the GMU FAST TRAIN students who may enter the date certificate will be awarded. In many cases this certification is needed to obtain a work permit.

You will be required to submit copies of all teacher certificates and degrees that have been awarded.

You will be required to supply three (confidential) educational and supervisory references, one of which must be from your current school director / head teacher. References must be submitted on CIS reference forms or school headed stationery. It is important that these are signed and dated. They may be e-mailed as attachments or faxed.

TEFL/ESL teachers must have a degree in education.

Candidates should have a minimum of two years' recent full-time experience within their certified area teaching children between the ages of 3 -18 years. (Grades K-12)

Candidates need to have specific experience teaching in one or more of the following: USA , UK National, Canadian, International Baccalaureate, Australian New Zealand curriculum.

All teaching candidates must be fluent in the English language and have 2 years experience teaching in this language.

All teaching candidates must be flexible and able to teach in all geographical regions of the world.


^ reposted from http://www.cois.org/




To be accepted as a member of ISS:




The minimum educational requirement is a four-year bachelor's degree.

At least two years of current, successful, full-time elementary or secondary school experience is required.

An advanced degree for specialist, guidance counselor, and department head positions is required.

Certification is not required by ISS, however, most schools served by ISS DO require certification.

Teaching teams (or teaching/administrative teams) are welcomed.

Most schools do not consider candidates with more than two nonteaching dependents.

The rule of thumb is often one dependent per full-time contract.

Initial contracts are typically for two years.

Round-trip transportation, at the beginning and end of the contractual period, is usually provided for staff members and their families. This varies among schools.

Candidates should be willing to consider at least two large geographic areas (e.g. continents) for placement.

ISS may accept a select group of individuals who do not have two years of experience, but who have overseas living or working experience, teaching certification and are willing to work in developing countries.


Recruiting for administrative positions in international American schools is competitive.

Factors which may strongly affect the selection process for administrative positions are overseas work experience, previous administrative experience, and recent graduate work in curriculum and/or administration.



^ reposted from http://www.iss.edu/index.html






Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand ::::

[samnjoanne]

I gained my international teaching position through joyjobs and tieonline. Both are great websites. Joyjobs.com will assist in creating a web site for you and create very job specific CV.

[newinSeoul]

Thanks for the informationm, samnjoanne, isanity and Kent! I'll keep plugging away till I get in.