When choosing a school, consider the following points carefully.
If an employer demonstrates a reluctance to commit himself to any of the following terms in writing, in English, signed in original ink, on headed paper, and delivered into your hands before you arrive in the target country, ask yourself: why? Remember that there are some employers who love money so much that they will stop at no unscrupulous practice, including threatening violence, to those who challenge them. They will often use native English speakers as servants, who appear to be completely honest and open, to lure you to a country where you will then feel you have no choice but to submit to them. This advice is intended to prevent that from happening. Look after yourselves - and each other!
List of what to look for.
1. Rates of pay
What will you be paid, and what will you be expected to do for it? Where the employer deducts money from your hard-earned wages, is he willing to provide written citations referring to specific legal provisions of the target country as authority for doing so, which you can check independently of what he says? Is your pay accompanied by an honest, itemised wage slip that you don't need to be Einstein to understand?
2. Hours of work
Are you guaranteed minimum and maximum numbers of teaching hours? In my opinion, twenty hours of class contact time is a full-time commitment. Some employers, especially those who have never personally taught in a classroom, will have no qualms about working you into an early grave. Say no before that happens! The only reason you are in that classroom is because they need you more than you need them!
3. Travelling time
If you spend hours travelling between places of work, how much compensation will you receive for this? Who pays for your travel expenses?
4. Legal status
If there are legal formalities you must comply with to be legally resident, will the employer provide you with all reasonable assistance to obtain a visa, for example? Remember that if you are content to put yourself outside the protection of the law, you are at the mercy of some potentially very unscrupulous people.
5. Bank account
Will the employer facilitate the opening of a bank account for you? If not, why not? And if he insists on paying you in cash, will he provide you with a written indemnity, agreeing to reimburse you for any loss of that cash arising if you are the victim of crime?
6. Holidays
Remember that in many countries, you have a legal entitlement to paid holidays (annual leave as well as statutory "bank" holidays). Look on the Internet. Do some basic research.
7. Illness
What happens if you fall ill? Are you paid for time that you may have to take off? Who pays for any medical expenses? If you are expected to use public health services, is it clear to you that the employer is even prepared to pay all of the taxes that he should (and out of your wages!) to play his part in ensuring the quality of those public services? If there are inadequate medical facilities in the target country, will the employer extend to you the benefit of a reputable insurance policy? If so, what will it cost you? Will he furnish you with reliable evidence of this so that you are satisfied that he is not just telling you a story?
8. References
What about if you want to leave? You should try to honour all of the terms of your agreement with your employer, but what happens if, for example, you need to start to look for another job before the end of your contract? Remember that some employers will repay your loyalty and dedication by using tactics designed to keep you in their service. You are a source of money, and that's all some employers care about.
This advice is provided in the hope that it will be widely circulated without being edited, as a simple, single contribution to raising standards in what is one of the noblest professions - teaching.
The profession of a teacher, a doctrine that is taught; "the teachings of religion"; "he believed all the Christian precepts"
education: the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill;
In education, teachers are those who help students or pupils learn, often in a school. The objective is typically a course of study, lesson plan, or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. The different ways to teach are often referred to as the teacher's pedagogy.
Direct teaching or co-teaching is conducted by the Challenge Resource Teacher of one or more students in a classroom setting or in a small group setting. Teaching includes the facilitation of learning as well as providing direct instruction.
Good teaching is as much about passion as it is about reason. It's about not only motivating students to learn, but teaching them how to learn,
2008-06-13 