Questions to Ask a School
International Teaching: Finding out about the position
Working within the International School sector is very different than working within the State School sector. Each school will operate as its own business and this means that employment packages and contracts vary widely from school to school. Because you are contracting with the school and not with Edvectus, you are responsible for evaluating the employment package and contract to make sure that it meets your needs.
Edvectus has put together this list of questions as a guideline to help you get started. Please note that some of these questions are only appropriate to ask at certain times in the process. Typically, the more detailed questions should be left until later in the process, when you know you are truly interested in the school and vice versa.
Pre Interview /Interview questions:
What is the basic employment package – salary, flights, accommodation and does it meet your needs?
- Financial obligations in your home country
- How the salary relates to the cost of living in the country
- Make sure you account for free housing and local taxes when determining your minimum requirements.
Are you familiar with the country in which the school is located and does it fit with your lifestyle? Check out the travel section at your local library or book store if you need information.
- When does the position start and are you ready to go when they need you?
- Are you comfortable with the length of the contract?
- Remember to consider tax obligations in your home country – some countries may require you to pay tax on foreign earned income if you are out of the country for less than a certain amount of time (often one or two years).
Interview / Post-offer Questions:
- What is the position on offer – curriculum (UK, US, IB, etc) subjects, age ranges and levels
- What is a typical class size?
- How are children with special educational needs catered for?
- When exactly does the position start – when are you required to be in the country for orientation? When do the children arrive?
- What is the ethos of the school?
- Is it a highly academic school?
- What is the discipline policy?
- What percentage of the pupils are local vs. expat?
- Is there a dress code?
What is life like in this country and city?
- Are there clubs, teams, activities that suit your interests and abilities?
- Do you need a car or what kind of transportation is available?
- What do teachers typically do during weekends, breaks?
- Does the safety and security meet your needs?
- Is there assistance with banking and an orientation?
What are the general expectations for teachers?
- What types of professional development opportunities are on offer, if any?
- What hours/days do teachers typically work? Note that International Schools usually require a longer teaching day than State schools!
- Are you required to participate in after school activities, trips or clubs?
- What is the school year and holidays? Note that in some non-Christian countries you may not have holidays at Christmas and New Year.
If accommodation is provided:
- Is it furnished or unfurnished (furnished basically or to a very high standard)?
- Is it shared or unshared? How many bedrooms/baths?
- Are there any amenities such as swimming pools, gymnasiums that you can use at the school or apartment?
- How far is the housing from the school and how do teachers transport themselves?
- Are utility bills paid?
- Is it on the school grounds, and if so, is there a curfew or restrictions on visitors?
If a housing allowance or no housing is provided, what is the cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in a safe and convenient area?
- How is temporary housing upon arrival handled?
What is the employment package on offer?
- Salary – is it taxed or untaxed in the local country. Are you paid for holidays and term breaks?
- Are you paid in local currency or another currency? Check exchange rates at www.xe.com