Job Discussion Forums

bailemos · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Japan

Does anybody have any ideas on how to go about finding out about (or applying for work) at these school.. Any advice or ideas would be appreciated
Smile

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/international_schools.html

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Define your understanding of an "International" school.

For an 'International' school in the conventional sense (aimed at the offspring of the diplomatic/corporate epat community and providing a certificate that equates to the same as 'back home') you will need a conventional teaching qualification, and anywhere up to 5 years experience in your home country. You will have to apply through agencies that provide teachers to the International school industry.

Mind you there are plenty of other "international schools" where all you need is a pulse.

bailemos · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Japan

I was referring to both kinds.. - The teaching expat children variety and the English medium type of school, though Id probably prefer the later.

Any info on good teacher recruiter agencies .. ? Surprised

Cheers,

b

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Chris21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 366 Location: Japan

I've heard that most legitimate International Schools only do hiring a couple of times a year at designated conferences (through recruiters). And it's not easy to get hired.

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

If you are looking at the entire region of Asia, a recruiting agency and a job fair are the way to go. ISS changes you money to join, but many people have gotten jobs there. There is also this link: http://www.cois.org/ They are free to join and also many people have gotten jobs there. The schools pay all the fee at CIS.

If you are looking at specific cities or locations it might be better to contact those schools and try to arrange an interview independent of a recruiting agency. FYI, the major recruiting season for international schools in January and February for jobs starting in August.

I work at an international school in Japan. Since I was only willing to work in Tokyo or Yokohama, I contacted all the international school in the area, about 15, and managed to arrange 5 interviews in mid-Janaury. I received 3 job offers, so it is possible to do it on your own. Depending where you are, though, this could be expensive. I flew to Japan at my own expense to do this and had to take a week off work, unpaid. If you live near a town hosting a job fair, then that will be cheaper.

For Japan, a typical legitimate international school will have a mix of ex-pat kids and Japanese kids who have had some exposure to English. Not all the ex-pat kids will be western, but they will, in general, all have some English. You will, of course, teach them in English. I taught elementary school in Vancouver before coming back to Japan after an 8 year break and really, I find there is very little difference between my students in Vancouver and those at my current school.

In general, you need at least 2 years of classroom teaching experience (not ESL) and a teaching certificate. If you have a masters degree you may get a slightly higher salary. Salaries range from 4,000,000 - 6,000,000 million yen a year to start and can get as high as 8,000,000. You usually get about 14 weeks of paid holidays a year.

Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions.