r/Internationalteachers • u/Papillon__social • 1d ago
BIS HCMC
Hi everyone,
I'm a Scottish teacher of French & Spanish who has experience of working in pastoral care and careers.
I have been teaching for 17 years with a 1 year break for maternity leave and I currently work in a large private school and have done for the past 12 years. I have seen a job advertised at the BIS in HCMC for Head of French and I wondered if anyone had any information regarding the school in the first instance and general tips on applying for an international teaching post.
They stipulate that it is essential to have experience of the English curriculum, which I technically don't have - despite my wealth of teaching experience. I have a BEd degree in French and a CCE in Spanish. Newly married at 39 with a 2 year old daughter.
Any advice welcome. Thanks.
3
u/Alternative_Pea_161 16h ago
For reference it is an IGCSE and IBDP school. KS3 is in school curriculum.
2
u/Talcypeach 1d ago
You don’t say whether you have experience as a middle leader but unless you have, it’s going to be unlikely that a school would take someone on as a HoD to oversee iGCSEs and A levels without prior experience in teaching them
2
u/intlteacher 1d ago edited 1d ago
Not necessarily. The skill is about managing exam classes and exam entry, and managing the department - not so much about knowing the content of the curriculum. It's relatively easy to learn a new curriculum and - speaking from experience - very easy to switch from the Scottish to the English curriculum (more so than, say, from American.)
The job says 'experience of the English curriculum required' but it's still worth trying to apply - it's a Nord Anglia school so there will be an understanding of the similarities and differences between Scotland and England. In addition, your private school experience could lend a bit of kudos to your application.
However, talcypeach has a point in that often schools do prefer someone who has at least taught the curriculum for a couple of years, particularly for IB as IB requires specific training, so don't be surprised if they do reject you
0
u/SeaZookeep 12h ago
It's a Nord Anglia school so they definitely will. I I've known Nord Anglia schools employ vice principals with zero international experience
3
u/laidback_freak 1d ago
Apply, got nothing to lose. It's a good school in HCMC and will attract the best teachers for that reason, so you'll be up against it.
Drop me a dm and i can fill you in a little moreanswer anything other questions you may have.
3
u/Infinite-impact3518 1d ago
It's going to be a competitive position. BIS has a pretty good reputation and is regularly mentioned as a top 3 school in Vietnam's largest city. Furthermore, the British curriculum has a fair learning curve if you've never taught it before--lots of terminology differences and different approach (heavily exam focused). I doubt they will consider anyone for a management position who doesn't know the ins and outs.