Hi folks,

I hope this question does not violate site policy, but I want to get your advice about my resume. The upload attachment panel doe not allow me to upload my resume... Is there a reason .docx files are not allowed to be uploaded?

Please let me know if my request is a possibility!

Merry Christmas all!

Could you suggest that the school pays through ADP (I think thats what its called)? I'm a little shocked to read that most international schools don't give you the option to choose how much you want in the local currency, and how much you want sent back to your account back home.

My school passes around slip every three months which asks how much the teacher wants in local currency, and how much the teacher wants sent back to their Canadian bank account (canadian in my case =D).

You should suggest the school looks into ADP, I think its free for the school to use, and it offers no exchange rate penalties.

Either way, though, the exchange rate is always changing. You lose and gain some.

Good luck!

I've been living in China for 6 months now teaching in Wuhan. The city itself is tier 2 by the Chinese, but that label comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

There are ways to "battle" the pollution in the city, but if I had children, I would advise against moving to Wuhan. My city has days that are worse than Beijing: 450-680 on the western AQI app on my iPhone. I've worn masks, and gone through a dozen air purifiers since I've landed.

you can battle the pollution (you really can, google my health Beijing, and you'll get a dose of hope from a doctor). I've invested in 10 masks with a filter, and a dozen or so smart air purifiers. I find that I get stuffed up quite a bit in this city (I should probably buy a purifier for my classroom and office at work).

So thats my advice: if you come here (or anywhere polluted in China I should say), I would say do some solid research on things that can HELP save your body from the pollution. Other than the pollution, China is freaking fantastic. If you come to China you will enjoy quite a few things:

Cheap cheap cheap prices, both on food, clothing, and some electrical stuff. you'll also enjoy haggling down a price, tao bao, the Chinese language, how helpful Chinese people are, how friendly they are to foreigners etc etc. I would also advise you to cook your own food, and buy veggies from the farmers who sit in their little carts on the street. The veggies from the farmers are freshly pulled from the ground, and stupid cheap. You can also have a fresh chicken cut up right in front of you, and sliced into chicken breasts. Probably get a dozen slices of breast for about 7 dollars USD.

I also enjoy haggling with people, and knowing that you can ALWAYS get something cheaper. Taobao is a paradise in itself.

With these things come a few warnings though: some products might not be real, but there are a couple ways to ensure what you're buying is authentic. I would suggest looking at pictures, and ensuring certification matches the product. For example: my 3m masks for the airpocolypse is ffp3 certified, I just looked for that on Tao bao and found an authentic mask. So there is some risk, but I love adventure, so China is the place for me.

if you do decide to come to China, I highly encourage you to learn some of the language. I absolutely do not agree with foreigners who EXPECT all Chinese people to speak English. The reality is this: most cab drivers only speak Mandarin, most shop keepers only speak Mandarin, some students will speak broken English (in Universities), and you'll run into a few students who speak pretty decent English because they studied it. So don't expect Chinese people to cater to your mother tongue, after all, you are a guest in their wonderful country. I would suggest learning the first 50-100 common words of the Chinese language (pm me if you want good resources).

Overall: China is not for everyone. Culture shock will occur regardless, but its about accepting that China is not America, China is not Canada, its a different place, with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Let me know if you want more information!

I hope this helps!

Hi all,

This question is probably too selfish, and too resume focused, but I'm just wondering how a potential employer would view a game design club and a school newspaper on a resume? Please give me some wordsmith to elaborate:

I am contemplating teaching a journalism course next year at my school, because I love creative writing, and anything English related! In order for me to properly teach the course, I need to undergo some training through another teacher. The training would essentially teach me how to use the program in order to make a fancy school newspaper. Would a future employer value this type of expertise? I know I should "do what I love," but I don't plan to stay at my current school forever (mostly due to the city I am currently living in)...

What sorts of extracurricular do ya'll run?

Currently, I am teaching my students how to use UDK, a professional open sourced game design engine. The reason I stress open sourced is to avoid being accused of breaking copyright laws for my school's upcoming inspection. How would this extracurricular stand on a resume?

I also dressed as the Joker for Halloween, poured water on my head for an ice bucket challenge, tapped out an article for the school's magazine (which was then translated into several different languages to address our parents).
Am I doing enough? How can I improve? Any ideas? What do you do, experienced teachers?

Thanks for reading my long jabber (and yes, I'm a newbie) =D!

I'm contracted for 25 hours of instruction per week, and I'm expected to be at the school from 730-430. Lunch is an hour long though, and the kids have a 25 minute break after second period.

I'm in the 50-60 hour paradigm, probably in the 80s when large stacks of essays come in. I'm also teaching 6 different classes on a linear system, which comes with its pros and cons. The sixth class gets the best lesson cause I've already taught the same stuff 5 other times! I've only got 2 prepables, but when I give a summative essay to one class of 22 kids, I am essentially giving a summative essay to a total of 130 students since I teach the same class 6 times. Brutal, but lovely at the same time. I teach a total of 188 children.

Do I dare take a calculator and tap out my hourly wage...?

Not till the summer...!

??

Single. Fresh out of Uni. Bottom of the salary grid. Managed to save 30k CAD. =D

Looks like I'll be going back to school (arrg, my cogs are already starting to burn) to study a science degree!

Thanks for the tips Monkey and Shad!

Interesting insights Shad!

May I ask which province you taught in? I'm in conserveberta!

I've had friends who majored in English, but got stuck with a knitting and foods classes, because they cooked at The Keg at 16 years of age.

It's funny that you'd disagree, maybe I've only ran into the odd few who have majors in art, but end up teaching math. Even my last practicum mentor teacher was an art major, and music minor, but she was teaching a full course load of IB English. I guess art and English relate (in some sense).


I'm not sure what you mean about CALM not being a certified course-- do you mean CALM is not one of the BIG 4? English, math, science, and ss? Or do you mean you can't major in CALM in university?

My teaching certification –at least in Alberta-- doesn't state my major or minor. In fact, my BC cert says I can teach elementary (even though I studied secondary). I have both Alberta and BC teaching certifications. Double in fact: my parchment doesn't reveal my major/minor, it only says “Bachelor of Ed-- Secondary.”

Do you find international schools focus more on a teacher's qualifications (example: an English major probably won't end up landing a job teaching Chemistry, unless said English teacher has a bachelor of science with a Biology/Chem focus)?

Thanks for your wordsmith!

Be well!

Thanks for the insights! May I ask, Monkey, which school are you teaching in? I've read somewhere on these forums that you are elementary focused (kootos to you for being able to handle the little ones)!

Canada is a bit different from the states: a teacher who majors in English can end up teaching physics/calculus. Majors mean very little here. If I could make a dialogue between an employer and a teacher, it would read as follows:
Teacher: my major is biology, and my minor is English! Do you have any positions for these specializations?
Employer: your resume states you speak French. Can you teach Math 10 in French?
The teacher at this point has two options: agree to teach math and French, or rely on a major to find a job....
Most teachers in Canada (because the job market is terrible) would probably say: YES, ABSOLUTLY! I can teach French, and Math 10! NO PROBLEMO (albeit the teacher would be more professional). Then, the employer will ask: DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT DANCE? CAN YOU RUN A DANCE CLUB?

Again, if the teacher wants a job he/she will reply (with stern confidence): ABSOLUTLY, I can teach dance.

After the interview and job is sealed, the teacher then runs home, and spends hours learning math (in French), and Dance.

I think what I am trying to get at is despite Canada having a really great education system, teachers can end up teaching subjects they never studied in post secondary. My mentor teacher for my field experience was an art major, but he was teaching math and English. He's been teaching for quite some time, so no doubt he's good at what he does. I also taught math despite my major being “artsy” if you will.

I think the rules are a little different for getting into an decent international school. I'm not at my dream job yet, but I am currently employed at a decent international school. The first question the recruiter asked me was my major. I told him I was capable of teaching math, and some science courses, but I got stuck with a CALM and Planning 10 option course for my first year. Midn you, I am not complaining, because I feel this school is very considerate to give me (as a newbie) a few easy courses to teach.

My replies are always book like (sorry in advance).

The reason I want to go back to school and get an IT diploma, and science degree is because I don't think an international school would even consider me for a scientific teaching position, unless I had a parchment to back up my qualifications. I'm certified to teach anywhere in Canada, but like I've said, the certification basically means: “he is capable of teaching any subject in both middle and high school.”

Thanks for any advice you can provide (and I hope I answered your question about Canada's education).

Be well!

Hello parents and teachers!

I hope this elongated question finds ya'll well!

I think a little bio is in order before I get to my questions: I am a newbie teacher, fresh out of Uni, who has landed a job in a second tier international school. I have lots of volunteer on my resume, and lots of experience working with children, but I lack experience in the classroom. I've ran camps, and designed lessons which adhere to curriculum. Currently I am teaching in an international school, and I'm loving every moment of it (yes, even the 8am-9pm days of marking)! Thus stated, I know many of you are much more experienced in the field of teaching than I am.

For personal reasons I will be returning to Canada to study a few degrees, and a diploma. I was wondering what qualifications do you have teachers? I hope to make myself more competitive in the international school market (in China, so that I can teach your awesome kids, parents!).

I know experience probably speaks louder than parchments (but I know SOME parents/recruiters quite like parchments)! Here is my plan:

I was thinking of doing an after degree in Biology and chem (2yrs) , a masters in school leadership (2yrs) and an IT diploma course(couple months) I'm interested in all these areas, and I'll have about 4 years classroom teaching experience once I return to Canada. Once I complete a bachelor of science, I HOPE I can say I'm capable of teaching biology and chem in an interview (what are your thoughts, do I need direct experience teaching bio and chem? If so, I can always find some volunteer work in Canada, where I work with a classroom teacher). I've also ran camps which taught youth and children science. Thoughts?

I plan to settle down in China, and I know I'm quite fortunate to be in a tier 2 school so early into my career. I've also heard a lot of teachers have a bachelors of ed coupled with a few more degrees. Is this information true? If so, would it really hurt to pay (too much) money for another parchment, or two?

Please let me know your thoughts! If any of you are working in your dream international school, please feel free to share how you landed a job.

Thanks for reading my wordsmith!

I agree with Shawdow Jack's prose: follow your heart! Did you have a specific location in mind? Or are you moreso set to go anywhere in the world?

Thanks everyone! I was planning to come back to Canada after 3 years to do my masters in leadership, so I guess I'll skip doing the diploma in IB, and jsut do an IT diploma, and a masters degree in four years.

Thus said, is it worth doing an diploma in IT? Please post your thoughts (maybe I'll make a seperate thread for this question). I just want to make myself more employable, because I plan to live in China for a very long long time.

Hi all,

I thought I'd post this question, since I gather many of you are experienced educators with loads of wisdom to share ( =D ).

I will be teaching at an international school with mostly English Second Language learners. I am specifically calling on all educators from China (but if you've taught ESL kiddies anywhere else, please toss in your 2 cents if you wish)

What are some of the challenges? I've read students from China are quite easy to manage, except for sleeping in class (but they go to school from 7am-9pm (doing both Chinese, and the Canadian curriculums))! Crazy, hey?

What strategies did you use to get your kids motivated to learn English? What worked? What failed (I think lots can be learned from failures =))

Thanks in advance for your wisdom, I hope we can share our insights, and all learn from each other on here.

I guess I'll share what I plan to do: wait at the door everyday, and say hello to the kids. Its a common practise I've used on my native land (Canada), and it also allows me to see how the kids are feeling in the morning. ex: If Jimmy is punching a locker in the hallway, then I can see he's probably in a bad mood. We can have a conversation about it, or I may decide not to call on his that day etc etc . What are your thoughts educators? Please share your wordsmith.

Please accept my appology for this poory written post, as I am in a rush this morning to pick up my Chinese gf from the airport (too personal, sorry again)!

Finally, I was wondering what ya'll thought on this article (its a bit unrealated to my original question): http://www.joebower.org/p/abolishing-grading.html

Be well all,

??

Hi! I've been teaching in China and Taiwan for quite awhile. Living the rockin' teacher life. Glad you want to come join a wonderful journey on Chinese soil.

My advice: write your recruiting manager. Getting a document notarized for no purpose is a waste of hard earned cash in my opinion. Don't get it notarized unless your recruiting agent specifically asks for it.You'll need to get an English version of the Crim record check. It should not need to be translated into Chinese (as your recruiting manger or the persons organizing your visa requirements should all be fluent in English).

These are questions which might be better written to your recruiting agent, school principal, or recruiting manager.

I hope my advice helps---Welcome to China!

I say go for it. Living in a non expat friendly area has its disadvantages and advantages. You'll learn a lot of Chinese is a short amount of time. Sure your lungs will hurt a little bit (due to pollution), but you can Google reputable doctors who build air purifiers and masks to guard you from the pollution. Google My health Beijing (he even has some assembled air sets which are cheap on the wallet). He'll even deliver to your location in China, but your address will need to be addressed in Chinese (you can ask me in a PM to translate it for you, or make a Chinese friend (you won't regret it =P )) Being cheap on the wallet is also another advantage: the cost of living in your location is quite low. Yes if you went to Shanghai the area would be more expat friendly, but you're also looking at double the cost of living.

Personally I'd rather live in a less expat friendly place, because I speak Chinese, and love Chinese culture etc.