I will graduate with a B.Ed. this summer, my wife will do the same next summer. We have a three year old daughter.
We are looking to move overseas fairly quickly, as there are few jobs here. I am wondering what the Maple Leaf schools are like? We will both be BC certified and have lived in China and Taiwan before as ESL teachers.
Any good or bad experiences? Would we be able to save? Would our daughter get a reasonable education?
Thanks in advance
holmes5668@hotmail.com
Dalian Maple Leaf Schools
Hi Mark,
I will introduce myself briefly and then tell you my experience here.
I started teaching in Dalian Maple Leaf International School last September. Today was our last day of classes. :d This is my first contract post BEd, my seventh year teaching abroad, and my first time in China.
To answer your questions:
I have had many good experiences since coming here. Few bad.
You should be able to save, perhaps considerably.
Our particular school is planning to open an on-site Chinese-English preschool next September. Barring that, there is a Chinese Elementary school that many of the teachers have sent their children to. Many are very pleased with the education their children receive at that school. They are especially pleased that their children are fluent in Chinese.
I have greatly enjoyed my time here and am pleased to be coming back for another year. Both of our children were homeschooled this year by my wife and I, and we will likely to homeschool for one more year. This is a personal preference.
There are a number of teachers with children, many of whom have been here for many years. The environment in Dalian is one of the best in China and it is a very safe and friendly place to raise children.
I would be happy to answer any more questions you may have about my experience here.
Good Luck with your search.
Yours,
Charles Chalmers
I will introduce myself briefly and then tell you my experience here.
I started teaching in Dalian Maple Leaf International School last September. Today was our last day of classes. :d This is my first contract post BEd, my seventh year teaching abroad, and my first time in China.
To answer your questions:
I have had many good experiences since coming here. Few bad.
You should be able to save, perhaps considerably.
Our particular school is planning to open an on-site Chinese-English preschool next September. Barring that, there is a Chinese Elementary school that many of the teachers have sent their children to. Many are very pleased with the education their children receive at that school. They are especially pleased that their children are fluent in Chinese.
I have greatly enjoyed my time here and am pleased to be coming back for another year. Both of our children were homeschooled this year by my wife and I, and we will likely to homeschool for one more year. This is a personal preference.
There are a number of teachers with children, many of whom have been here for many years. The environment in Dalian is one of the best in China and it is a very safe and friendly place to raise children.
I would be happy to answer any more questions you may have about my experience here.
Good Luck with your search.
Yours,
Charles Chalmers
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markholmes
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 10:54 pm
Thanks for the reply. I have many questions!!
That's good news about the preschool as my daughter will be one year shy of starting kindergarten.
If we are still in Dalian when my daughter starts school, would she be placed in the Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School (K-7)? Do teacher's children get free places there?
Did you get accommodation provided on campus (I believe you have to pay for it)? If so, what was the standard of accommodation?
I believe some teachers take accommodation off campus. The website said this would cost about $600 a month for a two bedroom apartment. Would this seem about right?
I understand the starting salary is CAD$44,000. How much tax do you pay on that?
How much money (monthly) can you comfortably live on as a family of four? As we are two teachers with one child we would like to travel in the holidays and send home CAD$30,000 a year between us. Is this doable?
Of those who complain about the school, what is their most common gripe? Are they just complains you would get at any elementary school in Canada or are they specific to Maple Leaf?
I hope my volume of questions is reasonable. There maybe more to come!
Thanks in advance
That's good news about the preschool as my daughter will be one year shy of starting kindergarten.
If we are still in Dalian when my daughter starts school, would she be placed in the Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School (K-7)? Do teacher's children get free places there?
Did you get accommodation provided on campus (I believe you have to pay for it)? If so, what was the standard of accommodation?
I believe some teachers take accommodation off campus. The website said this would cost about $600 a month for a two bedroom apartment. Would this seem about right?
I understand the starting salary is CAD$44,000. How much tax do you pay on that?
How much money (monthly) can you comfortably live on as a family of four? As we are two teachers with one child we would like to travel in the holidays and send home CAD$30,000 a year between us. Is this doable?
Of those who complain about the school, what is their most common gripe? Are they just complains you would get at any elementary school in Canada or are they specific to Maple Leaf?
I hope my volume of questions is reasonable. There maybe more to come!
Thanks in advance
Hi Mark,
I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.
Most teachers choose to have thier children attend the Maple Leaf Elementary school, which is taught in Chinese. Next year there is a preschool/kindergarten planned, which would be half English, half CSL. Teachers pay 50% of Chinese tuition which amounts to, I believe, about 2,000 CAD per year.
Many teachers live on campus and pay about 250 - 400 CAD per month
We are quite comfortable and happy in our apartment.
Many teachers live off campus. They pay about 400-600 CAD.
We pay about 400 CAD a month on tax.
In addition to our housing costs, we spend about 8000RMB a month.
With two salaries, you should have no problem saving one complete salary.
The most common complaint about the school is the smell from the toilets. Plumbing in China is not quite up to Canadian standards.
Feel free to ask any more questions you might have.
Yours Truly,
Charles
I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.
Most teachers choose to have thier children attend the Maple Leaf Elementary school, which is taught in Chinese. Next year there is a preschool/kindergarten planned, which would be half English, half CSL. Teachers pay 50% of Chinese tuition which amounts to, I believe, about 2,000 CAD per year.
Many teachers live on campus and pay about 250 - 400 CAD per month
We are quite comfortable and happy in our apartment.
Many teachers live off campus. They pay about 400-600 CAD.
We pay about 400 CAD a month on tax.
In addition to our housing costs, we spend about 8000RMB a month.
With two salaries, you should have no problem saving one complete salary.
The most common complaint about the school is the smell from the toilets. Plumbing in China is not quite up to Canadian standards.
Feel free to ask any more questions you might have.
Yours Truly,
Charles
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markholmes
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 10:54 pm
Thanks for the reply.
When you say most teachers' kids go to the Chinese elementary school are you refering to Kaifaqu Elementary or the Foreign National School? From what you have said I get the impression they are going to Kaifaqu and not the Foreign National School. I'm just wondering why that would be as the Foreign National school is the one taught in English and the one accredited by BC.
Also, as my daughter would be four when we arrive, would she go to the pre-school at the Foreign National School? As elementary generalists, I am assuming that is the school we would be teaching at.
Where is the Foreign National School in relation to Dalian and the other schools? I need a map!!
When you say most teachers' kids go to the Chinese elementary school are you refering to Kaifaqu Elementary or the Foreign National School? From what you have said I get the impression they are going to Kaifaqu and not the Foreign National School. I'm just wondering why that would be as the Foreign National school is the one taught in English and the one accredited by BC.
Also, as my daughter would be four when we arrive, would she go to the pre-school at the Foreign National School? As elementary generalists, I am assuming that is the school we would be teaching at.
Where is the Foreign National School in relation to Dalian and the other schools? I need a map!!
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markholmes
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 10:54 pm
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markholmes
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 10:54 pm
There's been a lot of talk on another forum about teachers being let go after one year even though they signed two year contracts. I am trying to figure out why this is. I know Maple Leaf have 75 new teachers coming in September. Is it a case of, they haven't managed to recruit enough students, so they over estimated the number of teachers needed?
How were those who are leaving prematurally selected?
How were those who are leaving prematurally selected?
Hi Mark,
There are three schools in the Dalian area. The senior high campus, where I work, is in Jinshitan National Tourist resort. The elementary school is about half-an-hour away in Kaifaqu. The foreign national school is in Dalian proper. There is a fourth, which I don't know much about. The school I am at is the largest, and is likely where you likely gain employment.
This year, of the one hundred twenty odd teachers, there are approximately fifteen leaving for home. Of the fifty or sixty new teachers,only a small handful are leaving after one year.
As far as teachers being let go after one year, I do not know enough about this to make an authoritative comment. In my estimation, however, hiring enough teachers is a large concern for the school system as it is expanding so rapidly, so unless there is a serious concern with a teacher, it seems very unlikely that one would be let go after one year.
As for the number of new teachers, the system is opening two new schools this September, so that is not a surprising number.
I wish you all the best in your research, and hope that I have been of some help.
Still,
Charles Chalmers
There are three schools in the Dalian area. The senior high campus, where I work, is in Jinshitan National Tourist resort. The elementary school is about half-an-hour away in Kaifaqu. The foreign national school is in Dalian proper. There is a fourth, which I don't know much about. The school I am at is the largest, and is likely where you likely gain employment.
This year, of the one hundred twenty odd teachers, there are approximately fifteen leaving for home. Of the fifty or sixty new teachers,only a small handful are leaving after one year.
As far as teachers being let go after one year, I do not know enough about this to make an authoritative comment. In my estimation, however, hiring enough teachers is a large concern for the school system as it is expanding so rapidly, so unless there is a serious concern with a teacher, it seems very unlikely that one would be let go after one year.
As for the number of new teachers, the system is opening two new schools this September, so that is not a surprising number.
I wish you all the best in your research, and hope that I have been of some help.
Still,
Charles Chalmers
Maple Leaf Schools - hiring policy
Do Maple Leaf schools only hire Canadians/North Americans? Do I stand any chance as a Brit with international experience?
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shadowjack
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
Not sure, Nomad68. It is BC certified and accredited, so it might be that teachers need to have BC certification. I know when I sent an inquiry (I am Canadian certified, which transfers fairly easily to BC if you are certified in a geographically close province) they were very quick to get back to me...
Reply
I have found from several sources, that they will consider you for employment if your academic background is suitable to getting you certified in Canada. Your undergraduate degree/major seems to be the key factor. If your degree was in education then you have a good chance, if it was in a different subject specific major, then its very unlikely they can get you certified, and they wouldnt really be interested.
Question for PsyGuy
Thanks for the replies. PsyGuy, I am not a teacher..I'm an administrator/specialist (think books!). Would I still need Canadian certification for Maple Leaf or other overseas Canadian schools?
Reply
Im a bit confused, in Canada you need about 5 years of teaching experience in addition to a masters (or masters equivalent) in addition to being certified. Since youre already an admin you would have certification already which makes the question moot.
There are people who teach in ISs (including Canadian schools, though not in their canadian diploma program) who dont have professional educator qualifications, those individuals are in a very small minority. lacking qualifications would greatly lower your marketability.
Admins are different, a number of countires dont have a formal admin qualification beyond a masters degree in education. What really matters is experience, if you can show that you can run a school, division, or department, and do so well and successfully, then a lack of a formal credential becomes less and less an issue.
There are people who teach in ISs (including Canadian schools, though not in their canadian diploma program) who dont have professional educator qualifications, those individuals are in a very small minority. lacking qualifications would greatly lower your marketability.
Admins are different, a number of countires dont have a formal admin qualification beyond a masters degree in education. What really matters is experience, if you can show that you can run a school, division, or department, and do so well and successfully, then a lack of a formal credential becomes less and less an issue.
Re: Reply
[quote="PsyGuy"]I have found from several sources, that they will consider you for employment if your academic background is suitable to getting you certified in Canada. Your undergraduate degree/major seems to be the key factor. If your degree was in education then you have a good chance, if it was in a different subject specific major, then its very unlikely they can get you certified, and they wouldnt really be interested.[/quote]
I'm not entirely what you mean by that, but generally BC teachers have a four year BSc or BA and a one year B.Ed. (actually a year and a half condensed into a year). Most teachers have a subject specific degree and an education degree. Five year uni is the minimum to teach.
However, our school (also a Canadian offshore school like Maple Leaf) can now hire a small percentage of non-Canadian teachers. This is quite a new policy, so it might be worth a shot. I'm assuming the five years uni rule still applies, but I don't know the details.
I'm not entirely what you mean by that, but generally BC teachers have a four year BSc or BA and a one year B.Ed. (actually a year and a half condensed into a year). Most teachers have a subject specific degree and an education degree. Five year uni is the minimum to teach.
However, our school (also a Canadian offshore school like Maple Leaf) can now hire a small percentage of non-Canadian teachers. This is quite a new policy, so it might be worth a shot. I'm assuming the five years uni rule still applies, but I don't know the details.
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shadowjack
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
And if you are old school like me, your secondary education program was a five year program, no undergraduate degree, and graduation with a B.Ed (Secondary) with majors in your teaching area and 3 years of practicums. Sadly, that program no longer exists, likely because the university I attended found it could make the same amount of money with fewer students! LOL