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Posts: 2855

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Q: Going from ESL to subject teacher

I am currently working as an ESL teacher, but my long term goal is to transition from ESL and work as a Social Studies/History teacher at an. International school.

Has anyone here made the transition from ESL to a subject teacher? Other than obtaining an online M.A.T in Social Studies, is there anything that I can do to make myself more likely to get hired?

9 years 34 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
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Posts: 916

Shifu

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I originally applied to teach ESL but couldn't get hired after 2 months of hunting so I changed tack and applied for subject teacher positions and got hired in 2 weeks. Subject teachers are paid more because they are hard to find. ESL teachers are everywhere. 

 

What is your major? Schools are looking for Math, Economics, Chemistry and Physics teachers. International schools pay a lot more than universities for these teachers. Plus, you can teach Oral English in the school on weekends for extra pay. International schools usually run English classes on weekends for adults. 

 

Anyway, looks like you are on the right path if you want to exit ESL teaching. Good luck on your job hunt! 

Spiderboenz:

American History, Chinese History, and Anthropology. I have seen a couple ads for History teachers in SH and BJ, so i know that it's possible. Did you need a home country teaching liscense/certificate or was your degree enough?

9 years 34 weeks ago
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louischuahm:

winkYou don't need any teaching license. The fact that you can teach  history is good enough. Plus you already have the experience teaching and you are already on site with visa and FEC. Recruiters will be falling head over heels to get you into their schools. New semester starts in Sep so you are in a perfect position to switch jobs now. 

 

I majored in business and marketing, so I went for economics and got it. Forget ESL, there are too many around and the pay sucks. Send out your applications ASAP and wait for the sharks to start circling you. 

9 years 34 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
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I did not need a teaching certificate, though they do ask for one. If you have the right undergrad degree, that is enough, though an MA or MS puts you ahead of the crowd. A list of American/European history courses completed or taking a graduate level class or two will help. Get familiar with an AP US History study guide.

Most of these schools require your presence from 8-5 or thereabouts. You might still teach some English as well as a subject or two. I don't think they will hire you to teach Chinese history. 

Spiderboenz:

A.P. US History: When hisyory stopped being just a bunch of lists of names, dates, and places for me and became real and tangible. I have about 2 years until i plan on making my 'jump', so i have plenty of time to take some graduate level courses.

9 years 34 weeks ago
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bill8899:

Yes AP definitely involves more than names and dates. It's actually interesting.  Just curious, why wait two years? Though it is a liitle late for this school year.

9 years 34 weeks ago
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Spiderboenz:

Want to gain some more experience in front of a classroom first. 

Trying to build up some contacts.

Also, my current contract expires in 2016.  

9 years 34 weeks ago
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bill8899:

Makes sense. Dang how did you get a three year contract? Not that it's any of my damn business.

9 years 34 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
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Yup, I have made the transition a few times when I taught. 

 

I went from ESL into various areas like:

 

- computers

- business

- science

- physical education 

- mathematics

 

Was I qualified to teach those subjects? Some yes, some no but I still knew a lot more than my Chinese counterparts... they would teach the dumbest things to the Chinese kids... 

 

But it is possible, you just have to look in to international schools or have a relative degree. The highest paying subjects are usually science, finance/economics, business and mathematics. 

 

Social studies... would be pretty difficult. You have a better chance of getting these positions if:

 

a) You have a few years teaching experience in China.

b) The higher the degree the better. 

c) You can speak some Chinese (for explanation purposes)

d) You have a buddy to put in a good word for you. 

 

 

Spiderboenz:

That's why I'm waiting 2 years. 

9 years 34 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1142

Shifu

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Real international schools want a real state teaching license (or UK PGCE)...

...anybody who says otherwise is not at a real international school , or making stuff up....

bill8899:

What IS a real international school, anyway? 

Perhaps the supply of licensed teachers in China falls short of the number demanded by real international schools. But I could be wrong. 

9 years 34 weeks ago
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KevinRoy:

There are different levels of 'international schools'.

 

Top ones pay 30,000+ rmb/month and will hire teachers that already have experience teaching in their home country.

 

Mid range will pay 15,000 - 25,000 /month and would prefer a teaching certificate but is not required. Experience teaching your subject would be required however. These schools do AP, A level, IB, or are linked with a western high school.

 

There are also 'international schools' that are attached to regular chinese high schools that will pay 10,000 - 15,000 /month. The students here also apply for western universities but the foreign teachers usually don't have teaching certificates due to the low pay. With a few years teaching ESL (TOEFL and IELTS teaching experience helps) you can get a job at these places. You can even get a 'subject' teaching job if the school does a watered down curriculum like the GAC.

9 years 33 weeks ago
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