Where is the least stressful country/place to teach?
Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 4:00 pm
Just looking for some opinions from all you experienced International educators. I know there are lots of factors and every school in every country is different but, in general are there countries/schools that have a good reputation for the following?: reasonable workload & after school meeting/responsibilities, small class sizes, length of school day/year might be a little shorter, hardworking and/or respectful students, and enjoyable co-workers. Obliviously whatever the country has to offer outside of the school day is important too. I don't think I'd ever be able to live in a compound.
I’ve read some posts about on this site about salary/package rankings. My question is less about that and more about living the easy life.
I'm not super concerned with $$$. I’m just fantasizing about where a good location would be to wrap up my career. I've made good choices with my financial planning.
My experience is mostly in the U.S. at a Title 1 inner urban school with 95% of students receiving free or reduced lunch. I did that for many years and it was challenging but rewarding (I don't think I have it in me to do a job like that when I’m 60). I'm new to International teaching, I’m now in Korea and very happy. Probably like most International Schools, in terms of workload, it's heavier in some ways, lighter in others (compared to US schools).
Lighter: Smaller classes, and typically fewer teaching blocks, and very self-motivated students. Heavier: workload in terms of expectations, supervisory duty, expectations to coach and things like that. It's a trade-off. This is a great job too but I'm guessing in a few years I'll desire a change of pace. When I'm done with this I'll have 20+ years and I’ll have the resume and IT experience to have lots of choices; I realize this career is in some ways always going to be difficult, I’m looking to make the last 5-10 years a little more chill. Is that possible?
If it helps you answer my question I'm a happily single male, no kids. I tried marriage once and I wasn't very good at it. I'm open to almost any location, I do have a few places in mind but I'd like to hear people’s opinions before sharing what I'm thinking.
I’ve read some posts about on this site about salary/package rankings. My question is less about that and more about living the easy life.
I'm not super concerned with $$$. I’m just fantasizing about where a good location would be to wrap up my career. I've made good choices with my financial planning.
My experience is mostly in the U.S. at a Title 1 inner urban school with 95% of students receiving free or reduced lunch. I did that for many years and it was challenging but rewarding (I don't think I have it in me to do a job like that when I’m 60). I'm new to International teaching, I’m now in Korea and very happy. Probably like most International Schools, in terms of workload, it's heavier in some ways, lighter in others (compared to US schools).
Lighter: Smaller classes, and typically fewer teaching blocks, and very self-motivated students. Heavier: workload in terms of expectations, supervisory duty, expectations to coach and things like that. It's a trade-off. This is a great job too but I'm guessing in a few years I'll desire a change of pace. When I'm done with this I'll have 20+ years and I’ll have the resume and IT experience to have lots of choices; I realize this career is in some ways always going to be difficult, I’m looking to make the last 5-10 years a little more chill. Is that possible?
If it helps you answer my question I'm a happily single male, no kids. I tried marriage once and I wasn't very good at it. I'm open to almost any location, I do have a few places in mind but I'd like to hear people’s opinions before sharing what I'm thinking.