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JoelCosmeJr
Joined: 01 Mar 2006
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 Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:48 am Post subject: Requirement to teach in an international school |
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| I am considering returning to South Korea and was wondering if anyone knew the requirements for working at an international school. I was involved in an MA program with U. of Birmingham, UK and will be starting that again. I was just looking into this more and wanted to see if anyone who works at one can give me some info. Thanks. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:51 am Post subject: Re: Requirement to teach in an international school |
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| JoelCosmeJr wrote: |
| I am considering returning to South Korea and was wondering if anyone knew the requirements for working at an international school. I was involved in an MA program with U. of Birmingham, UK and will be starting that again. I was just looking into this more and wanted to see if anyone who works at one can give me some info. Thanks. |
Home country certification as a teacher (licensed teacher) and 2 years of verifiable classroom experience AFTER certification (does not need to be in your home country).
With an MA and no licensing you would need to consider university positions.
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Requirement to teach in an international school |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| JoelCosmeJr wrote: |
| I am considering returning to South Korea and was wondering if anyone knew the requirements for working at an international school. I was involved in an MA program with U. of Birmingham, UK and will be starting that again. I was just looking into this more and wanted to see if anyone who works at one can give me some info. Thanks. |
Home country certification as a teacher (licensed teacher) and 2 years of verifiable classroom experience AFTER certification (does not need to be in your home country).
With an MA and no licensing you would need to consider university positions.
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+1
I am guessing you got your MA in TESOL or the like. There isn't a high demand for ESL in international schools.
As for what Tom said, you might not need 2 years experience AFTER you got your certification if you were say working at a private school or charter school, that type of experience is very valid. The point is, you need experience working in a WESTERN school environment, and the minimum they will except is 2 years. You NEED certification unless there is something unique you can bring...TESOL is not unique. A master's in biology might be unique if they couldn't find a bio teacher. |
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tired of LA
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Requirement to teach in an international school |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
Home country certification as a teacher (licensed teacher) and 2 years of verifiable classroom experience AFTER certification (does not need to be in your home country).
With an MA and no licensing you would need to consider university positions. |
Does it have to be home country certification? I'm from the states and am looking into getting my teaching license, but from a different country as I don't plan on returning to teach back home. Getting a teaching credential from my home state is not worth it to me as once I complete the course, I am only issued a preliminary credential which is only valid for 5 years and is non-renewable. The only way to convert it to a permanent credential is to get a job teaching in California and to take additional development classes, which takes about 2 years to complete. Ideally, I would like to get into the NET program in Hong Kong and work on my PGDE part time and then move on to international schools. Would international schools accept a teaching license from Hong Kong instead of one from one's home country or even a western country? |
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Radius
Joined: 20 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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| im hearing conflicting thoughts on the matter: one says the two years experience doesnt need to be in home country and the other poster is says it does. Can anyone clear this up? |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Radius wrote: |
| im hearing conflicting thoughts on the matter: one says the two years experience doesnt need to be in home country and the other poster is says it does. Can anyone clear this up? |
I didn't say home country. I said in a WESTERN school setting. As someone teaching in an international school, I can say for sure these are GUIDELINES. I didn't teach much in Canada, yet I still got hired. I did though have 6 years relevant experience teaching at a FLHS in Korea. I basically taught the same things I teach now, except I wasn't in a WESTERN accredited school. I don't teach ESL btw, I teach English lit, which is what I taught when I was at a FLHS.
I can also say 100%, that teaching in North America is a different game than teaching in Asia. Asian international schools are still packed with mostly Asians, and as such the atmosphere is totally different. It would be like teaching in a $30,000 a year school in NA. When you come to Asia to teach in international schools, you need to get your game on and work hard. In NA public schools, a lot of your time might be spent dealing with behavior and classroom management issues. In Asia, you spend a lot on preparing great lessons, as the kids are for the most part high achievers. In Korea especially, outside of SFS and Yongsan International School, the student populations are 99% Korean ethnicity.
In answer to the other guys question: you cert doesn't have to be from your home country, but a HK cert isn't the same as a cert from an English speaking country. I doubt it would qualify you at my school for a job outside teaching Chinese. A Singapore cert though would probably qualify you, as their first language is English. However, I have to say that most schools want Canadian, American or British certified people. I think it has to do with the curriculum and standards of being certified.
Also, I recently found out the Singapore gov't hires certified teachers to work in their public school system, much like HK's NET program. Unfortunately, the deadline has passed to send in applications. |
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SinclairLondon
Joined: 17 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:01 am Post subject: |
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Top Tier International Schools in Paris and other desirable locations require 5-15 years experience, ivy leauge degrees, masters, certification, etc....
Most schools are in the middle, requiring certs and two years experience.
However, I know several here in Korea who were in the right place at the right time and are working at international schools without certs. Granted, they get paid in kimchi. But, with the rising cost of kimchi, they are technically making more than before.
Americans can do there certs entirely online through some university in Montana. No need to go home. |
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Ralphie
Joined: 24 Mar 2010
Location: Beijing, PRC
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:47 am Post subject: |
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| SinclairLondon wrote: |
| Americans can do there certs entirely online through some university in Montana. No need to go home. |
What about the in-classroom student teaching practicum? I thought the practicum was part of the teacher training program before being granted a teaching license. |
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Konglishman
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Nanjing
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:51 am Post subject: |
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| Ralphie wrote: |
| SinclairLondon wrote: |
| Americans can do there certs entirely online through some university in Montana. No need to go home. |
What about the in-classroom student teaching practicum? I thought the practicum was part of the teacher training program before being granted a teaching license. |
Volunteer to do your student teaching at an international school. In fact, I know a couple who did this. |
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winterfall
Joined: 21 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:02 am Post subject: |
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| Mr. Pink wrote: |
| Radius wrote: |
| im hearing conflicting thoughts on the matter: one says the two years experience doesnt need to be in home country and the other poster is says it does. Can anyone clear this up? |
I didn't say home country. I said in a WESTERN school setting. As someone teaching in an international school, I can say for sure these are GUIDELINES. I didn't teach much in Canada, yet I still got hired. I did though have 6 years relevant experience teaching at a FLHS in Korea. I basically taught the same things I teach now, except I wasn't in a WESTERN accredited school. I don't teach ESL btw, I teach English lit, which is what I taught when I was at a FLHS.
I can also say 100%, that teaching in North America is a different game than teaching in Asia. Asian international schools are still packed with mostly Asians, and as such the atmosphere is totally different. It would be like teaching in a $30,000 a year school in NA. When you come to Asia to teach in international schools, you need to get your game on and work hard. In NA public schools, a lot of your time might be spent dealing with behavior and classroom management issues. In Asia, you spend a lot on preparing great lessons, as the kids are for the most part high achievers. In Korea especially, outside of SFS and Yongsan International School, the student populations are 99% Korean ethnicity.
In answer to the other guys question: you cert doesn't have to be from your home country, but a HK cert isn't the same as a cert from an English speaking country. I doubt it would qualify you at my school for a job outside teaching Chinese. A Singapore cert though would probably qualify you, as their first language is English. However, I have to say that most schools want Canadian, American or British certified people. I think it has to do with the curriculum and standards of being certified.
Also, I recently found out the Singapore gov't hires certified teachers to work in their public school system, much like HK's NET program. Unfortunately, the deadline has passed to send in applications. |
Well there are some schools that are predominately foreigner. Like SIS (Seoul International School), SAHS (Seoul American High School), that's on the yongsan base. And the ICS's depending on location like Ujeongbu or Busan. (ICS is International Christian School. There's A LOT of them)
Generally as you go down the international school ladder towards the 2nd, 3rd tiers the student demographics start concentrating towards the Korean side. It's not a quality issue though, it's just the most affordable option besides sending your kid abroad
And I'd disagree that the students are generally overachievers. There might be a greater percentage of them in the school versus the average North American school. (I'm not speaking from teaching experience. But I've been a student at both) And the curriculum is also slightly more advanced, depending on the school. But the students are generally the same as back home except they're rich. And there are minimum GPA standards but like every other school they curve em.
To the OP you can try getting a job at a lower tier ICS. Daegon, Daegu, Ujeongbu is kind of between 1st and 2nd tier, Kent Foreign Language School, etc. To get the international school experience. And then try to work your way up. But just know you have be careful, not all of the international schools are accredited. And some schools lose their accreditation so you might end up staying at the school until they can get it back. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:44 am Post subject: |
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| Konglishman wrote: |
| Ralphie wrote: |
| SinclairLondon wrote: |
| Americans can do there certs entirely online through some university in Montana. No need to go home. |
What about the in-classroom student teaching practicum? I thought the practicum was part of the teacher training program before being granted a teaching license. |
Volunteer to do your student teaching at an international school. In fact, I know a couple who did this. |
I'd love it if I could have a student teacher. When I did my B.Ed though, about 1500 of my tuition went to pay for my various teacher trainers. Money aside, it would be sweet to have one. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 5:56 am Post subject: |
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| Home country certification or in some cases a MA with experience. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 6:27 am Post subject: |
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| winterfall wrote: |
| Mr. Pink wrote: |
| Radius wrote: |
| im hearing conflicting thoughts on the matter: one says the two years experience doesnt need to be in home country and the other poster is says it does. Can anyone clear this up? |
I didn't say home country. I said in a WESTERN school setting. As someone teaching in an international school, I can say for sure these are GUIDELINES. I didn't teach much in Canada, yet I still got hired. I did though have 6 years relevant experience teaching at a FLHS in Korea. I basically taught the same things I teach now, except I wasn't in a WESTERN accredited school. I don't teach ESL btw, I teach English lit, which is what I taught when I was at a FLHS.
I can also say 100%, that teaching in North America is a different game than teaching in Asia. Asian international schools are still packed with mostly Asians, and as such the atmosphere is totally different. It would be like teaching in a $30,000 a year school in NA. When you come to Asia to teach in international schools, you need to get your game on and work hard. In NA public schools, a lot of your time might be spent dealing with behavior and classroom management issues. In Asia, you spend a lot on preparing great lessons, as the kids are for the most part high achievers. In Korea especially, outside of SFS and Yongsan International School, the student populations are 99% Korean ethnicity.
In answer to the other guys question: you cert doesn't have to be from your home country, but a HK cert isn't the same as a cert from an English speaking country. I doubt it would qualify you at my school for a job outside teaching Chinese. A Singapore cert though would probably qualify you, as their first language is English. However, I have to say that most schools want Canadian, American or British certified people. I think it has to do with the curriculum and standards of being certified.
Also, I recently found out the Singapore gov't hires certified teachers to work in their public school system, much like HK's NET program. Unfortunately, the deadline has passed to send in applications. |
Well there are some schools that are predominately foreigner. Like SIS (Seoul International School), SAHS (Seoul American High School), that's on the yongsan base. And the ICS's depending on location like Ujeongbu or Busan. (ICS is International Christian School. There's A LOT of them)
Generally as you go down the international school ladder towards the 2nd, 3rd tiers the student demographics start concentrating towards the Korean side. It's not a quality issue though, it's just the most affordable option besides sending your kid abroad
And I'd disagree that the students are generally overachievers. There might be a greater percentage of them in the school versus the average North American school. (I'm not speaking from teaching experience. But I've been a student at both) And the curriculum is also slightly more advanced, depending on the school. But the students are generally the same as back home except they're rich. And there are minimum GPA standards but like every other school they curve em.
To the OP you can try getting a job at a lower tier ICS. Daegon, Daegu, Ujeongbu is kind of between 1st and 2nd tier, Kent Foreign Language School, etc. To get the international school experience. And then try to work your way up. But just know you have be careful, not all of the international schools are accredited. And some schools lose their accreditation so you might end up staying at the school until they can get it back. |
I don't know where you get your figures, but SIS is 99% ethnic Korean according to their OWN reporting. You wouldn't know this unless you were a teacher, but by being a member of TIEOnline or Search Associates you can see what the schools report their demographics to be. Search is the best though, and from that SIS reports 99% ethnic Korean, but they are foreign passport holders. |
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winterfall
Joined: 21 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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Edit
Last edited by winterfall on Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
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crazy_arcade
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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An agent from Council of International Schools told me that, although they prefer teachers to have two years of experience after certification, teacher demand takes precedence.
A B.Ed or M.Ed with a home teaching license is the requirement. ESL experience helps. |
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