Hi - I'm new to the forum and attempting to do my best to research teaching in international schools. I've read through many posts here and was curious about the aspect of daily/weekly schedules in the country and school where you teach.
When I student taught in the US I saw the same students each period everyday for a semester and taught all 12th graders so my lesson plans could often be used again and again, if not on the same day, then within a few days. I also had the same planning period each day.
I was very surprised when I moved to England to teach (not in international school) and found that it was almost a little more like university with each group being quite varied to when I saw them. There was also an A and B week schedule so I might not see a group every week. I also did not have a planning period each day, which was new to me and it was often difficult to keep up with planning 4-5 lessons each night for the next day as well as to keep up with marking, meetings, etc. After I got used to it it became some what easier, but still overwhelming at times!
So I was curious to see what the schedules were like at the schools you teach at as well as how much during school planning time you were given and the start and end times. Thanks - I look forward to hearing about the many different ways the school days are set up!
Typical Day/Week in Your International School?
Schedule
I work at an American school in Asia; we have an eight block period schedule, with four classes meeting one day, and the other four the next. Teachers have to teach for five blocks, so every other day most of us have a half day off for planning. Extracurricular roles aren't too demanding; most people coach or sponsor a club. It is typical in the high school that each teacher has three preps, but some only have two; high school class sizes range from 5 to 18 students, depending on scheduling and interest in the course/teacher.
I taught in the U.S. for three years before going abroad in 2000, and the biggest difference I found was that discipline was no longer an issue abroad (so that was less work) but the caliber of student was much higher than that in the U.S., and so prep time was spent on more intellectual activities for the kids.
I taught in the U.S. for three years before going abroad in 2000, and the biggest difference I found was that discipline was no longer an issue abroad (so that was less work) but the caliber of student was much higher than that in the U.S., and so prep time was spent on more intellectual activities for the kids.
That is very encouraging to hear marlow! It is so much fun planning for groups that really want to work because you know your efforts aren't in vain and you won't waste most of the class in trying to get everyone on task. Did you find you taught the same class, say 10th grade English or was there a mix?
I see that most schools want you to sponsor something, are their many oppurtunities to co-sponsor if you don't feel you know enough to be in charge?
I see that most schools want you to sponsor something, are their many oppurtunities to co-sponsor if you don't feel you know enough to be in charge?
Jess, I teach AP Literature, IB Literature and English 10 (sophomore lit). At most schools there is a wide variety of material within a subject, which is nice! As far as the extracurricular load goes, most schools I've worked at have people who start out helping with an activity, and then they end up doing it full time.
Thanks for sharing all the courses you teach marlow, do you teach one section of each or multiple sections?
I'm glad to know you can start off with someone else who knows all the ins and outs of the club, I don't mind learning and then taking over, but I've never run a extra curricular before so that would make me feel much better!
I'm glad to know you can start off with someone else who knows all the ins and outs of the club, I don't mind learning and then taking over, but I've never run a extra curricular before so that would make me feel much better!