Transitions to Teaching: Opportunities Abroad for BC Certified Teachers

1. Transitions to Teaching: Opportunities Abroad for BC Certified Teachers Scott Roy Douglas, PhD Angela Finley, MA (In Progress) Transitions to Teaching Sessions UBC’s Okanagan Campus September 11, 2013

2. Introducing . . . • Angela Finley, MA (In Progress) • BA → Korea → TESL Certificate → Czech Republic → Japan → Montreal → BEd → MA Coursework → EAP → Research Assistant → MA Thesis in Progress • Scott Douglas, PhD • BA → Teacher Training → Israel → TESL Training → Global Village → M.Ed. → Japan → Cont. Ed. → EAP → PhD → UBC

3. What do you want to know? • Write your questions on your index card.

4. What do you want from an offshore position?

5. Factors that may influence your job search Opportunities to: Earn money Be close to friends and family Travel Help others Learn about a new culture Learn a new language Work at a school with a good reputation Gain teaching experience Have adventures Challenge your skills

6. Qualifications • Undergraduate Degree • TESL Certificate • Bachelor of Education/Teaching Qualification • CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults) ( • DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching for Adults) • Masters Degree (Linguistics, Education, English Language) • PhD/EdD (Linguistics, English, Education)

7. Where are the jobs? • www.daveseslcafe.com • www.tesol.org • http://www.tieonline.com/ • http://www.cois.org/ • http://www.classafloat.com • http://www.peaceboat.org/english/ • www.tesl.ca • www.bcteal.org • http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com

8. Let’s look at some jobs . . . • Do these jobs meet your expectations? • What do employers seem to be looking for? • Do you see any patterns? • What aspects of your qualifications do you need to highlight for one of these positions? • What aspects of your experience do you need to highlight for one of these positions? • Do any of the jobs seem to lack legitimacy?

9. Applying for a job? What to ask! • Learners • Teachers • Syllabus • Materials • Resources • Working Conditions . . .

10. Applying for a job? Ask Questions! • What types of learners are at the school? What are their backgrounds, needs, etc? • What support is available for new teachers? • Is there a syllabus? What is it like? • What systems of assessment are in place? • What materials are used? What textbooks? • What is the availability of computers, internet access, DVDs? • What are the opportunities for taking on responsibility and starting a career? • What is the salary? Are there benefits? Vacation time? Housing? Contract? Airfare? Bonus? Safety?

11. Interview Questions • Why do you want to teach in another country? • How did your friends and family react when you told them you were applying for international teaching positions? • How has your education prepared you to teach abroad? Do you have a TESL Certificate? • What else has prepared you to teach internationally? • What approach do you take to teaching ESL? • How does teaching internationally fit with your goals? • How would you construct a typical ESL lesson plan? • How would you promote content and language learning? • Under what conditions would you consider quitting your job at an international school?

12. Any other questions?

13. Action Plan – Dare to Dream! Start thinking of an action plan sooner than later • Dates, deadlines • Qualifications • Visas • Research • Language • Job opportunities

14. Angela Finley, MA (in progress) Scott Roy Douglas, PhD Faculty of Education University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus 3151 EME - 3333 University Way Kelowna, BC  Canada V1Y 1V7 Email: angela.finley@ubc.ca scott.douglas@ubc.ca