| I am a HS math teacher here in California (or should I say "maths" teacher.) I have been teaching here in the US for more that 2 years now and I am thinking of going to the UK and teach.
I have a few concerns though before I take the big plunge. Some questions that are playing in mind right now is: Will the students behavior be better ? Will the work loads be lesser? Will I be paid more?
Students behavior here in the states may be quite rough in comparison to my teaching experiences in China and the Philippines. Students here are more aggressive and radicals about their opinions in class. They are less motivated to learn here that may sometime be frustrating. However, once you earned their respect, teaching makes a lot easier and more fun most of the time.
(i wonder how different this will be in the UK...)
I teach for five 50-minute period everyday and with 3 preparation time (algebra1, geometry, and algebra2.) My day usually begin at 7.30 and ends at 2.10 with an hour of prep period and a 30-minute break. I am so used to this schedule and thinking about it, it feels as if I am just working for 5 hours 5 days a week. I usually spent 3 hours on the average for grading papers, making lesson plans and calling parents every week. This adds up to 28 hours of work in a week.
(i wonder if its gonna be this hectic in the UK...)
I hold a double bachelors degree in math and computers and I have been teaching for 5 years now. I am currently earning $46k USD a year-- not bad if you are going to think about it. however, after tax and other deductions, I usually get $3K a month which I need to budget for the bills and utilities. In a month, my usual saving is approx. $500-$700.
(i wonder if i will have a better savings a month if I teach in the UK...)
These are my initial thoughts in my plan to go the UK to teach. I am really curious about how its like living in the UK so if you have some opinions and experiences to share with me, I will greatly appreciate it.
Ciao! |
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Fortunately for you, all your questions have already been answered (by many people, so lots of opinions!), right here on the forum, and on our blogs (links also on a thread here). Best advice is to read, read, read . . . and then you can make an educated decision. We have posts on behaviour, salary, typical schedule, and more (some at right, others will be listed on the General Discussions board).
Good luck! |
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Hi,
English teacher is right, the answers to all of your questions are already posted in various locations but I'll help you out a little.
"Will the students behavior be better ?"
In a word...NO. In your first year here you can expect the kids to really act up mainly because they are use to teachers leaving and so try to drive them off before they have a chance to become attached. If you can stick it out though, it does get better after Christmas and then even better yet the second year.
"Will the work loads be lesser? I usually spent 3 hours on the average for grading papers, making lesson plans and calling parents every week. This adds up to 28 hours of work in a week."
Again, the answer is NO. Unfortunately, the planning load over here is a lot more than what we are use to in the States. Add to this that there is less planning time alotted during the teaching week. Many reasons for this from school structure to curriculum all referred to elsewhere.
"Will I be paid more?"
This is highly unlikely as you will be considered to be an "unqualified" teacher until you've earned your QTS. I'm working on that right now. It's pretty easy to obtain though. I should have mine done by Christmas break.
"I am really curious about how its like living in the UK so if you have some opinions and experiences to share with me, I will greatly appreciate it."
Living here is on the whole GREAT. Shopping is a bit of a struggle for someone who is use to 24hr, multiple options type shopping that we have in the States, but I'm actually adjusting to it alright. People over here are more laid back, relaxed, and friendly on the whole and that is a treat for a type A-ish person like me. Also, there is the easy access to lots of great trips at very affordable prices.
What you have to ask yourself is: what to you want from your life and what are you willing to trade to get it? Everything in life is give and take. First step for you is to tuck in to some indepth reading on this site because it contains the STRUGGLES and EMOTIONS that people like you and I have gone through over here. It also has gobs of practical tips, suggestions, and information.
Its a great gift. Use it wisely.
Good luck in your decision process.
Meli
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Thank you for all the information that you have shared with me. I have read most of the entries on this forum and I came to a conclusion that if I think of the monetary rewards of teaching here in the US, it would be wise to stay teaching here in the US: the workloads are less stressful, the salary is higher and the administrations and colleagues I have are really supportive of me (at least in my situation)
The only thing that made me realize to consider teaching in the UK is what MEL had said on his reply, "what do you want from your life and what are you willing to trade to get it?" It has been my aspiration to work in the UK to experience the culture of the english and british people. The close proximity of other european countries has drawn me to pursue the possibility of working as a teacher in the UK.
Most of your response in the post seems to tell me that I better stay where I am right now. However, I am sure there are a lot of reasons why american teachers are still in the UK teaching. I am hoping you would share with me the many things that making you stay in the UK. I also want to learn if you are all working with a work permit in the UK up to this time?
I am also thinking of migrating in the UK and posting my insights here is one of the many ways that will help me decide if it's worth-it to set aside my US teaching career and pursue it in the UK.
I appreciate all of your reply and I hope to hear more from you all. |
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Just to answer a few of your questions from my very limited experience. (I have just started this year.) I think it is a really good experience so far, and that is even with being completely frustrated and tired and totally sick of planning and not understanding a lot of what is happening. I did lots of research in terms of reading information here, the blogs of other teachers who had moved before, and expatriate message boards which dealt with general life difference issues, things that might not come up as much here.
I am on a work permit with a one year contract from the school. At the end of the year the school can decide to keep me or not (and I likewise have a decision). My work permit and visa will allow me to stay through 2009. (I'm not sure how this works for others.)
In some ways I feel totally supported by the school and in other ways not so much. At first it was much better and now it almsot seems like they think, "well just get on with it" and I do for the most part, but some things I need resources from others and it hasn't always been easy to get them. As a newly qualified and overseas trained teacher I have training to attend on Behaviour Management, a mentor in my department that i meet with weekly as well as others who are in charge of the curriculum areas who i can go to for help. The one hard thing has been getting documents from the school for certain things because they are focusing on eco-schools this year so they print almost nothing as a hard copy. All I want is a teacher's handbook, and it is on a shared network drive, but I can't find it and I haven't found anyone from the management team who is willing to take the time to get it. (It is difficult looking for anything in the file folders because all of the acronyms mean nothing to me) Anyways, it is still a great experience. I've been lucky in having a great housemate and some other young and new to the area teachers who have just started this year as well.
Have you considered some sort of exchange with a school in England where you don't giv eup your job just go for a year and switch with a teacher from a school there? That might be better than making such a big commitment. You'd see what it was like, keep your current position in California and have an easy escape clause at the end of the year.
Good luck! |
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