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