Job Discussion Forums

benny2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 29

Hi there,

I spent 2 and a half years in teaching in China using my CELTA. I'm currently back in the UK, doing a totally different job which I don't want to continue with.

I'm considering studying for a PGCE (takes 1 year). In order to become a fully qualified teacher in the UK, I would then have to work for 1 year here to achieve NQT (newly qualified teacher) status. A friend suggested that if I work abroad, I might not need to complete the probation year.

I suppose my question is therefore what sort of experience would one need to get a position at an International School in China?

Would the 1 year study or the 2 years including probation be enough, or would I need further experience.

I'm not really interested in teaching longterm in the UK because the conditions are so bad. International Schools seem like a much better environment to work in, plus I love living in China.

Thanks for any help!

DaveW125 · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 54

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

I didn't know that one could become a "fully qualified teacher" in the U.K. with only a one-year certificate. Isn't one required to have at least a BA or a BS in a particular area?

benny2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 29

Thanks Dave, I will consider this....teaching in the UK is a ridiculous situation. Working in an international school with a PGCE but no NQT is an excellent option.

Miles: You need a degree to embark on the teacher training and to get fully qualified to teach in the UK takes 2 years.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Generally, I believe you need at least two years experience teaching in your own country in order to teach in an international school. There are exceptions, but that is the standard.

Another thing, as I understand it, is that international schools love to hire teaching couples. You can get hired as a single, but if you're competing for a job against someone else who is part of a couple, they will probably be hired over you. Also, different subjects/specialties are more in demand than others, so a high school science or math teacher will have higher marketability than an elementary school generalist.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

Okay. I understand now. In the U.S. There's a similar process. One can also get an MA certificate for 12 credit hours (as opposed to 36+ hours for an MA degree).

Thanks for the info.