| You have decided on teaching abroad so you are off | | | | are not provided. I have known many teachers that |
| on the job hunt. Aside from the obvious | | | | have felt the need to move on because of the |
| considerations such as what country to work in and | | | | demands of planning for a school year without |
| what training/qualifications to obtain; there are other | | | | adequate resources. |
| things a teachers should consider when looking at | | | | To help you find that perfect (or near perfect) job, |
| potential job offers. | | | | you should ask these questions to all prospective |
| There are many factors a teacher considers which | | | | employers: |
| will affect whether they accept a position. The most | | | | 1. What is the salary? |
| obvious factor would be the content of the position. | | | | 2. How many months is the contract? |
| What is the school asking of you as a teacher? You | | | | 3. Do/Can you sponsor me for all paperwork, including |
| must ask yourself if the job is interesting and fits into | | | | teacher's license, work permit, and visa extension? |
| your career plans as a teacher. The person you will | | | | 4. How soon can you get this paperwork processed? |
| be working for is also an important consideration so | | | | 5. How many hours will I be teaching? |
| you must take the time to talk to them either via | | | | 6. What kind of insurance is on offer? |
| email or phone. It would also be beneficial to ask to | | | | 7. When are the starting and ending times for work? |
| speak to other teachers from the school to find out | | | | 8. About how many events a month are teachers |
| their impressions. Knowing what the job is and whom | | | | required to attend outside normal working hours |
| you will be working with are the first step in deciding | | | | (teachers' meetings, parents' meetings, school |
| whether to pursue it further. | | | | festivals, seminars, etc.)? |
| Some may say that the most important | | | | 9. Does the school have/provide books? |
| consideration would be salary and benefits but these | | | | 10. Does the school have whiteboards or |
| should be a secondary consideration to what you | | | | chalkboards? |
| want to do and who you will be working with. | | | | 11. Does the school provide all teaching materials |
| Regardless of the salary paid, most people will not | | | | needed? What are the items provided? |
| stay at a position where they feel unsatisfied or | | | | 12. Does the school require that I attend/teach a |
| have no growth. In addition, the people you work | | | | summer camp? |
| with or for have an enormous impact on your job | | | | 13. Is there a discipline policy? What is it and how is it |
| satisfaction. However, when considering salary and | | | | enforced? |
| benefits, do not focus as much on the starting salary | | | | 14. What are the details of contract "extras" such |
| but rather on the potential for growth and increases. | | | | as:a. Resigning bonusesb. Biannual or annual plane |
| Does the school have growth potential for you as a | | | | tickets to visit homec. Housing allowances (if no |
| professional? Do they spell out cost-of-living increases | | | | housing allowance then ask about help finding |
| and meritorious raises? Benefits are other areas that | | | | accomodations along with cost in the school area)d. |
| can supplement a position where the starting salary is | | | | Internet access both in and outside the schoole. |
| not as good as you would have wished. Get a list of | | | | Raise schedules |
| benefits from the company and formulate any | | | | Searching for a position is difficult. After spending |
| questions you may have regarding them so that you | | | | many hours on a search, making a careful decision |
| can better discuss the position with management and | | | | regarding a job offer is important. Getting an offer |
| other teachers at the school. | | | | does not necessarily mean you should take the job. |
| Another factor that may come into play with many | | | | Most employers will not expect you to make a |
| teachers when evaluating a position is the resources | | | | decision on the spot. You will probably be given a |
| provided by the school. Teachers spend a large | | | | few days to a week to make up your mind. If they |
| majority of their time preparing for upcoming lessons. | | | | are unable to provide you with the time to make a |
| This requires readily available resources such as | | | | decision then you should not consider this as a viable |
| teacher books, computer, printer, internet access, | | | | position. On the other hand, if you decide to go with |
| and preferably a reference library. In addition, there | | | | a school without finding out the proper information, |
| should be a work area set aside for teachers to plan | | | | don't blame the school when the position turns out |
| and prepare. You should also look at whether the | | | | not to be what you expected or wanted. Weighing |
| school already has a set curriculum/syllabus and | | | | the advantages and disadvantages of the job will |
| student books because you may be asked to help to | | | | help you make a more informed decision, rather than |
| create these resources for your school year if they | | | | deciding on impulse. |