Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I came across a website with some useful info.

http://englishelp.com/info/info07.asp ABout the contract and visa
http://englishelp.com/info/info01.asp About getting a job
http://englishelp.com/info/info03.asp Types of jobs

[Glenski]

I checked the first link. The information is either so general as to be worthless (you might as well just say what we all do here, "case by case"), or some of the information can be misleading. As for the latter point, the site often doesn't even state a country, yet it declares a certain fact which I could point out is totally wrong for the country I'm in.

And, the starting average wage for Japan has gone down since that site posted it numbers.

On the "types of jobs" links, it doesn't even mention ALT work, public or private schools, international schools, owning one's business, and a couple more.

Oh, and I'm not impressed with the spelling errors on the site.

[naturegirl321]

[Glenski]

In a very general sense, I agree with you about what this site, with all its misspellings and bad grammar, provides.

Are these the questions about what schools provide?
6. Check on the terms and conditions of the position.
a. How will the salary e decided?
b. How will the salary differ with a certificate/degree and work experience?
c. Do they provide bonuses? If so, how much and how often?
d. Holidays? Does the number of holidays include weekends and national holidays?
e. When is the contract in effect, and when does it expire?
f. How is the contract renewed?
g. Does it provide a flight ticket for Visa travel to an embassy if needed?
h. Does your job ask you for working for split shift? Do you like split shift?
i. How many work hours are there in a normal week? How is the overtime pay computed?
j. Did you check break time?
k. When do you receive compensation for your flight ticket to the country of choice?
l. What type of housing do they provide?
m. Is there a relocation fee provided?
n. Are a computer and internet available at the place of residence?
o. What type of insurance is offered for teachers?
p. Will housing be shared with other teachers?
q. What does the company ask you to do for classes?

"a" seems odd, as does "g". "J" is also strangely worded.

They are mostly good questions, but I would caution about asking so many, as that might scare away an employer. Perhaps it is common sense for some people, but not for everyone.

[naturegirl321]

I understand A to be whether all teachers start on the same salary or there are salary grades depending on qualifications and experience.

I agree that G is strange.

Maybe J means how long the breaks are.-

[LIVERPOOL1]

englishhelp.com,...............they must have put all of ten seconds into that list of advice.

[Joeys ESL Room]

I agree that this site looks a little suspect as well - that many spelling mistakes puts up a lot of red flags for me. The questions they ask are not very well organized either.

Below is a list of what you need to know about a school before considering working for them. Most of the questions should be answered in the details of the position, but the ones that are not answered could be asked later. It is also important to remember that too many questions -especially those that make you sound paranoid - will cause the director of the school to worry about whether you will be a problem if they choose to hire you.

Name of Institute - needed for background checks
Location: obvious
Starting date: obvious
Name of director: again, for background checks
Phone number of school
Address of school: needed for your visa
Type of Students: if you don't want to teach kindy for example, you will need to know this
Working hours a day (split or block schedule):
Working days a week: some schools have Saturdays
Payment
Operating hours: can be different from teaching hours
Overtime payment
Class size
Severance
Vacation dates
Type of Housing: make sure this is clearly stated in the contract as well
Distance from apartment to school: very important! you might only be working 5 hours a day, but if it takes you an hour to get there, you're now working 7
Health Insurance
Airfare
Current No of Foreign teachers: you don't want to be the only teacher there
Current No of Korean teachers: the more the better - bigger schools have less problems financially and therefore less problems paying you on time
Pension plan: (some countries such as Korea have this)


On a final note, after the interview - not before - you should ask to speak to one of two of the other teachers at the school. It is best to speak with someone on the phone if possible, or by email if not.