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