Teaching Science At An International School

[star69]

Hello,

I am a British citizen residing in Bangkok. I have some teaching experience from teaching English as a second language in a Thai school a few years ago (for one year). I graduated with a BSc in Chemistry from a UK university. I am now interested in teaching either Chemistry or general Science at a secondary/middle school level. Given my lack of experience in teaching these subjects I assume that starting out as teaching general 'science' to younger children may be the best place to start and go from there…

My goal is to find a science/chemistry teaching job here and do an online PGCE(i) course as I am working. I understand that the PCGE(i) qualification may not be as well regarded as a full PCGE and it doesnot lead to NQT status, however I believe that going forward this qualification combined with a few years' experience in the classroom should be sufficient to gain a position in a decent school in South East Asia.

I do not want to teach in a Thai school, rather I would liketo start at a lower level within an international school and work my way up. Bearing in mind my experience and qualifications given above do you feel that this goal is achievable?

My main question is; will a reasonable standard international school employ me NOW whilst I am studying towards my online PGCE(i)? (the course that I am looking at is the Nottingham University online PGCE(i), is anyone familiar with this course at all? is it well respected by International schools here?

I would really appreciate any advice/experience.

Thanks in advance.

Edited September 28, 2011 by star69

[aidenai]

My main question is; will a reasonable standard international school employ me NOW whilst I am studying towards my online PGCE(i)?

Very unlikely.

International Schools mainly hire teachers with full teaching credentials from abroad. If they want to hire foreign teachers locally, the jobs are often teaching assistant jobs and require teaching experience.

[star69]

My main question is; will a reasonable standard international school employ me NOW whilst I am studying towards my online PGCE(i)?

Very unlikely.

International Schools mainly hire teachers with full teaching credentials from abroad. If they want to hire foreign teachers locally, the jobs are often teaching assistant jobs and require teaching experience.

Thanks for the response.

I suppose a teaching assistant position would enable me to gain the classroom hours required to complete the PGCE(i) course. This could be a a 'first rung on the ladder' into a teaching career at an international school level, has anyone got any personal experience of this?

Thanks.

[TerryLH]

Why don't you contact some international schools and ask what they require?

[culicine]

In my experience it will be very difficult. I did my Grad Dip Ed as a distance student, through UNE in Australia. That qualifies me to teach back home. Even having many years teaching experience in maths in Thailand (in an English Program), I still could not even manage an interview either at the top tier and second tier schools, even though I sent many applications to advertised maths teaching positions.

You really need home country teaching experience. I think your best bet is to try applying to Thai schools that have English Programs - of course the students are mostly Thai, but that's the same as lower level international schools anyway. The main difference would be school curriculum and management. Salary would be 40-80K or so, depending on the school. Yes, one or two do pay that much, but not my school:)

[TravelTeach]

Hi,

You are unlikely to get a job at an international school of any kind.

I'm a licensed teacher in my home (Western) country. Competition for jobs at international schools can be extremely fierce, depending on the country and position. Surprise, surprise, there is tons of competition for Thailand. I have applied to schools all over Asia, been to many job fairs and have had dozens of interviews. I now work at an international school in Asia, and make pretty good money. But it took time. You are not a teacher. You have a science degree. That doesn't make you a teacher.

I'm not trying to hurt you, but to make you aware of a fact that I've explained to other ex-pats with your questions: the UK's education program is rigorous. Dozens, if not hundreds of licensed teachers apply to work in Thai international schools every year. Why would a school hire you over them? I know for a fact that an international school in Sukhumvhit had a single open primary position last year and received THREE HUNDRED applications. Three hundred applications for one position. Guess which cover letters they throw away first? The ones that say "Now, I don't have a teaching license but..."

My advice would be to either return to England and get the degree or try and work in a 3rd-tier international school. On rare occasions, people "graduate" from those schools to 2nd tier. There is no way you will get to the 1st. I've seen fully-qualified people who have supplied at ISB for a year told "come back in a few years with more experience and we'll talk about full-time".

TT

Edited October 30, 2011 by TravelTeach

[Ijustwannateach]

^Ditto what he said. No license, no experience, no academic educational qualification achieved yet? I'm sure the OP is very bright and capable as a scientist, but being a science teacher is not quite the same thing (although having done work in science does help). Teaching is a type of social work and it requires many skills which are not necessarily inherently implied by a science degree. The UK curriculum- and qualification requirements for educational professionals- are very demanding.

That's not to say that some international schools here don't make such deals occasionally as you are discussing, but that is usually at least with people who are already local and have a proven track record of some kind in a desirable area- PLUS already have some kind of academic educational qualification, such as a Master's in Ed. or the PGCE you mention. Such deals are not as favourable as those given to teachers hired abroad, and I would say you need at least TWO of (experience teaching, having an official license or at least a baseline academic educational qualification, professional and academic background in the subject) plus already being local to even have a chance, and that's only if the schools in question happen to be missing staff for the relevant subject that year and no one else is better connected or well-qualified than you (most of these situations will be handled by word of mouth).

Overall your best chance is to continue on the educational track and get your home license and experience (at least 2-3 years)- not only your best chance, but if you succeed, the best deals as well. Really, teaching chemistry you'll probably not lack for opportunities.

[looping]

My main question is; will a reasonable standard international school employ me NOW whilst I am studying towards my online PGCE(i)?

Very unlikely.

International Schools mainly hire teachers with full teaching credentials from abroad. If they want to hire foreign teachers locally, the jobs are often teaching assistant jobs and require teaching experience.

Disagree. Top tier schools only hire fully qualified teachers but in reality, 2nd tier schools will consider your application, especially at the moment with the flooding, international schools in BKK will be scrambling to fill positions for next July/August.

The other option is to wait until May/June next year and go in as an emergency hire, there's always someone who breaks contract and those positions have to be filled.

Good luck.