This blog focus is the offer and contract.
As many international teachers are attending job fairs or receiving offers through applications at this time, it is important to know what should be part of your international teaching contract.
The contracts can vary from school to school, however you can expect:
- A full year contract, typically August-August, September-September. Check the dates carefully to ensure this. A teacher’s salary should be spread evenly over 12 months, with each month fully paid.
- Working days and PD clearly stipulated, as are your work hours. The school may expect meetings and extra activities outside of school, so this should be queried if it is a concern. Additionally, your contact hours are often not stated, so check these to ensure you have adequate PPA.
- A clear salary figure (with the possibility of being placed on a scale). This may be subject to tax (so understand both the Gross and Net). It may be open to negotiation if you are not provided a salary from a published scale. Negotiating is advisable, particularly if you believe the salary is on the low side after completing research on teaching salaries in the region, or if you are a highly experienced teacher (Gosling, 2021).
- Tuition for dependents can be included or partially included. Most schools cover tuition for up to two children. The cost of tuition added to your package can increase its value significantly (Gosling, 2021). Ensure you understand whether or not you will pay tax on this benefit, as fees can be high.
You can also expect, OUTSIDE of Europe:
- Full payment or a contribution to private health insurance. This can vary to only include the teacher or teacher plus dependants. Check the level of cover carefully and clarify any issues you may foresee. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, be upfront! Often these are covered (Gosling, 2021). If it is important to you, check dental insurance coverage also.
- Housing allowance should be provided in all countries outside of Europe. The amount can vary wildly, for example, one contract I had covered half my rent of a two-bed apartment, whilst another covered both my three-bedroom penthouse plus all bills. In addition, some countries demand large deposits (notably Korea and Japan), which your school may provide you with (Gosling, 2021).
- Many schools offer a beginning and end of contract flight for you and your dependants. The ‘better’ packages will offer flights every year (Gosling, 2021). Check if they offer the flights to regional airports or only one home city (such as the capital).
- Schools can offer a relocation and repatriation package as a specified lump sum. A relocation allowance financially supports teachers to ship or to purchase household goods once arrived. The remuneration for this will vary on whether your family includes a partner and children. Similarly, the repatriation package can be used when you leave for shipping or associated costs (Gosling, 2021). In several schools I received this sum on arrival, in another I had to wait until school started.
- A loan can be provided by the school to help with set up costs. The school will offer this either immediately or within a short while of arrival. These are usually interest-free and a portion of the loan is deducted from your monthly salary.
- A ’13th’ month salary is a clear benefit. This is paid every year if you complete the entire school year. This is approximately the amount you would receive per year as a pension (Gosling, 2021).
When calculating your salary, be sure to add together all of these benefits that create the package. Check websites such as ‘numbeo’ to compare the cost of living with home countries such as your home country. Once you work out the figures, you should be able to decide how much you would need to live on and how much you could save (Gosling, 2021).
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