How to succeed in your career


Evaluating Job Offers for Teaching Abroad

You have decided on teaching abroad socreate these resources for your school
you are off on the job hunt. Aside fromyear if they are not provided. I have
the obvious considerations such as whatknown many teachers that have felt the
country to work in and what trainingneed to move on because of the demands
qualifications to obtain; there areof planning for a school year without
other things a teachers should consideradequate resources.
when looking at potential job offers.To help you find that perfect (or near
There are many factors a teacherperfect) job, you should ask these
considers which will affect whether theyquestions to all prospective employers:
accept a position. The most obvious1. What is the salary?
factor would be the content of the2. How many months is the contract?
position. What is the school asking of3. Do/Can you sponsor me for all
you as a teacher? You must ask yourselfpaperwork, including teacher's license,
if the job is interesting and fits intowork permit, and visa extension?
your career plans as a teacher. The4. How soon can you get this paperwork
person you will be working for is alsoprocessed?
an important consideration so you must5. How many hours will I be teaching?
take the time to talk to them either via6. What kind of insurance is on offer?
email or phone. It would also be7. When are the starting and ending
beneficial to ask to speak to othertimes for work?
teachers from the school to find out8. About how many events a month are
their impressions. Knowing what the jobteachers required to attend outside
is and whom you will be working with arenormal working hours (teachers'
the first step in deciding whether tomeetings, parents' meetings, school
pursue it further.festivals, seminars, etc.)?
Some may say that the most important9. Does the school have/provide books?
consideration would be salary and10. Does the school have whiteboards or
benefits but these should be a secondarychalkboards?
consideration to what you want to do and11. Does the school provide all
who you will be working with. Regardlessteaching materials needed? What are the
of the salary paid, most people will notitems provided?
stay at a position where they feel12. Does the school require that I
unsatisfied or have no growth. Inattend/teach a summer camp?
addition, the people you work with or13. Is there a discipline policy? What
for have an enormous impact on your jobis it and how is it enforced?
satisfaction. However, when considering14. What are the details of contract
salary and benefits, do not focus as"extras" such as:a. Resigning bonusesb.
much on the starting salary but ratherBiannual or annual plane tickets to
on the potential for growth andvisit homec. Housing allowances (if no
increases. Does the school have growthhousing allowance then ask about help
potential for you as a professional? Dofinding accomodations along with cost in
they spell out cost-of-living increasesthe school area)d. Internet access both
and meritorious raises? Benefits arein and outside the schoole. Raise
other areas that can supplement aschedules
position where the starting salary isSearching for a position is difficult.
not as good as you would have wished.After spending many hours on a search,
Get a list of benefits from the companymaking a careful decision regarding a
and formulate any questions you may havejob offer is important. Getting an offer
regarding them so that you can betterdoes not necessarily mean you should
discuss the position with management andtake the job. Most employers will not
other teachers at the school.expect you to make a decision on the
Another factor that may come into playspot. You will probably be given a few
with many teachers when evaluating adays to a week to make up your mind. If
position is the resources provided bythey are unable to provide you with the
the school. Teachers spend a largetime to make a decision then you should
majority of their time preparing fornot consider this as a viable position.
upcoming lessons. This requires readilyOn the other hand, if you decide to go
available resources such as teacherwith a school without finding out the
books, computer, printer, internetproper information, don't blame the
access, and preferably a referenceschool when the position turns out not
library. In addition, there should be ato be what you expected or wanted.
work area set aside for teachers to planWeighing the advantages and
and prepare. You should also look atdisadvantages of the job will help you
whether the school already has a setmake a more informed decision, rather
curriculum/syllabus and student booksthan deciding on impulse.
because you may be asked to help to



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