Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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 Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:25 pm Post subject: Getting A Teaching Job |
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I thought I would post this as there are a lot of people asking a lot of basic questions that they should be able to do answer if they researched well enough. Anyway, there is some information you need to know before signing on the dotted line. I hope this helps those that are looking for questions to ask a potential employer. What would be good is if people could also suggest other questions to ask prospective employers as well.
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A. CONDITIONS
1. the teaching
How many contact (teaching) hours will you have to work per week?
Will these be in a block or will you work a split shift?
Will you work in the mornings, afternoons or evenings?
Will you work at the weekend?
How many hours are you required to be in the school?
Are non-contact hours paid for?
2. the salary
What's the salary?
How often are you paid?
How are you paid? (local currency, sterling, index-linked?)
What's the rate of inflation?
Can you ask for an advance?
Are you paid for public holidays?
Are you paid if your class is cancelled?
Are you paid if you are ill?
What's the cost of living?
Do you pay National Insurance contributions?
What do payments entitle you to?
Does the country have a reciprocal agreement with the UK?
Can you claim back contributions?
Do you pay income tax?
3. the contract
How long is the contract for?
What's the procedure for termination of contract?
How much notice is required/given?
4. holiday
How many days holiday do you get?
Can you choose when you take holidays?
Are holidays paid?
5. other
Does the school pay for a return flight?
Does the school arrange and pay for medical insurance?
Does the school arrange any necessary visas, work permits or residence permits?
What documentation do you need to bring with you? (e.g. originals of degree certificates)
B. THE SCHOOL
1. school information
How long has the school been going?
Is it a single school or part of a chain?
What's the school's place in the market? (e.g. top quality, middle of the range?)
Where is the school? (e.g. centre, suburbs)
How many teachers work there?
How many are native speakers?
How long have the teachers been working there?
How many students are there?
What ages are taught?
What levels are taught?
Are there any specialist/non General English classes? (exam classes, ESP, one to one?)
Is there any teacher support/a Director of Studies?
Is there any teacher development? (observation, seminars?)
Does the school belong to any local/national teaching organisations?
Is there a recognition scheme in the country (like ARELS in the UK)?
Is the school recognised by the scheme?
C. CLASSES
1. class information
How many different levels might you have to teach? Which?
What ages might you have to teach?
How many students are there in a class?
Will you be required to do any exam classes or ESP/one to one/off site/in company teaching?
Do you get travel expenses/time allowance for off-site/in company teaching?
What materials/course books are used?
What other materials/resources are available? (photocopier, OHP, video, tape recorder, computer, books, etc?) |
I remember asking some questions in a job interview with some local schools in my area and they seemed dumbstruck when they had to handle answering some pretty direct questions. Some answers that I got from some questions are:
q. What materials/course books are used?
a. Umm, let's see. Well there are some books but you have to make your own curriculum.
q. What other materials/resources are available?
a. You have to make your own materials and purchase some books that you think are suitable.
Luckily for me, I didn't take the job and was pleased not to sit around all day making books and planning out a curriculum for young learners. If you ask the right questions you will be able to know if the potential employer is professional or not. Good luck and let us know what funny answers you got to some questions.[/list] |
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