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Posts: 860

Shifu

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Q: Teaching biology without postgrad teaching degree

I was wondering if anyone has taught biology or other degree subject who only has an honours degree. Understandably you can't teach at a fully fledged international school without a postgrad teaching degree but a while back I was offered a job at some kind of school calling itself an international school. The salary was decent 23000 plus accommodation. Do these kids actually sit a levels? I have a passion for biology but want to avoid at all costs going back into esl teaching. Can you teach a level subjects without postgrad teaching? Finally did you enjoy it? We're the kids into it?

9 years 14 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
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Emperor

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I think you can teach a degree subject with 'only' an honours degree.

My situation: BS in accounting, plus a JD, and I teach economics and other courses. I think schools use my JD as an excuse to hire me. By next June I will have taught AP, A level, AS level and IGCSE Economics, plus some other misc courses. Considering that they hired me to teach econ without an actual econ degree, it seems the demand exceeds the supply. I think the same market condition applies to many subjects.

Besides, you have the British system degree, so you took all those courses (IGCSE, AS, and A levels) yourself. (Right?)

I think someone would be happy to hire you with a BSC in biology. 

Yes, they really do sit the IGCSE, AS, and A level exams. Cambridge is everywhere here, as well as Edexcel to a lesser degree.  

Yes, you probably won't starve on the salaries offered. 

I looked for subject teaching for the same reason, and I have not been disappointed. I do enjoy it thoroughly, and the kids are into it. They do sit the exams, and you know the exam scores are paramount for uni admission. 

The thing is, they may or may not give you some English classes as well as Biology. Can you live with some English classes? 

Why not give it a shot? 

dokken:

Helpful answer cheers. Is the standard of english good enough to teach them biology?  You can work your way around deficiencies? 

 

 

9 years 13 weeks ago
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bill8899:

(Disclaimer: the English speaking level depends on which school ... etc. blah blah yadda yadda)

Yes, their English is good enough. You will most likely spend more time on definitions than you might if you were teaching the same subject at home, but they generally do have a better than average understanding of English. Many international schools, even the 'fakes', have English admissions exams. 

Anyway, worry not, their English should be good enough. 

The 7th graders at my school already speak pretty darn well. 

I like teaching subjects because (I like the subject and) I have something to talk about in class. I always had to make my own class topics, no books to use, and sometimes I run out of interesting ideas. With subjects, no problem. 

Yes, you can work your way around and resolve deficiencies. Think of it as subject based language instruction. Some of the experts think that is the best way to teach a language. 

9 years 13 weeks ago
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9 years 13 weeks ago
 
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Posts: 2763

Emperor

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I think you can teach a degree subject with 'only' an honours degree.

My situation: BS in accounting, plus a JD, and I teach economics and other courses. I think schools use my JD as an excuse to hire me. By next June I will have taught AP, A level, AS level and IGCSE Economics, plus some other misc courses. Considering that they hired me to teach econ without an actual econ degree, it seems the demand exceeds the supply. I think the same market condition applies to many subjects.

Besides, you have the British system degree, so you took all those courses (IGCSE, AS, and A levels) yourself. (Right?)

I think someone would be happy to hire you with a BSC in biology. 

Yes, they really do sit the IGCSE, AS, and A level exams. Cambridge is everywhere here, as well as Edexcel to a lesser degree.  

Yes, you probably won't starve on the salaries offered. 

I looked for subject teaching for the same reason, and I have not been disappointed. I do enjoy it thoroughly, and the kids are into it. They do sit the exams, and you know the exam scores are paramount for uni admission. 

The thing is, they may or may not give you some English classes as well as Biology. Can you live with some English classes? 

Why not give it a shot? 

dokken:

Helpful answer cheers. Is the standard of english good enough to teach them biology?  You can work your way around deficiencies? 

 

 

9 years 13 weeks ago
Report Abuse

bill8899:

(Disclaimer: the English speaking level depends on which school ... etc. blah blah yadda yadda)

Yes, their English is good enough. You will most likely spend more time on definitions than you might if you were teaching the same subject at home, but they generally do have a better than average understanding of English. Many international schools, even the 'fakes', have English admissions exams. 

Anyway, worry not, their English should be good enough. 

The 7th graders at my school already speak pretty darn well. 

I like teaching subjects because (I like the subject and) I have something to talk about in class. I always had to make my own class topics, no books to use, and sometimes I run out of interesting ideas. With subjects, no problem. 

Yes, you can work your way around and resolve deficiencies. Think of it as subject based language instruction. Some of the experts think that is the best way to teach a language. 

9 years 13 weeks ago
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9 years 13 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2

General

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If you are working in a government school, as of Jan 2015, you need a teaching license from your home country AND 5 years experience to teach a subject other than English.  It is not required for private schools, however.

 

To teach English, it is the same as always.

dokken:

Only teachers struggling to get a job would go to China. If this rule is true they would get nobody from e.u, or north america unless they increase salary substantiality. Don't think the schools would obey it somehow. If I had 5 years experience would I go yo China for 25000 a month. I don't think so

9 years 9 weeks ago
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9 years 9 weeks ago
 
Posts: 860

Shifu

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Wow a big company, based in UK USA Africa huh?
You sure its not just Africa you are based in?

Sounds great. Just let me know when you want my bank details. I will pass them onto you to get my loan money. Awesome company. Do you do mortgages?

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9 years 9 weeks ago
 
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