Teaching in the UK - Page 5 - Ajarn Forum

insideleft · 22nd July 2008, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by torbek

I dunno...

GBP 21,000 doesn't really allow much of a lifestyle. Looking at costs in UK, I'd say it equates to the kind of lifestyle you'd live on AUD 40,000 - 45,000...which isn't much.

New teachers in some parts of Australia (granted, very remote parts) now start on AUD 72,000 which is a reasonable income (average wage here about AUD 51,000).

But GBP 21,000 is OK for a couple of years then head off to somewhere (like Thailand) where the quals are (relatively speaking) better rewarded.

$72k...where is that? I live in London and £21k before tax isn't much if you live in London - This is perhaps £16k or £300 p.w. - while I currently spend only £200 pw, I have been extremely lucky with accommodation and I walk to work. 300 is very little indeed.

Three days ago I met a British English teacher holidaying in Bkk and he earnt £26k in his first year after graduation.

Better money is to be had working under a limited company structure - this legitimately allows less taxes to be deducted - this minimising greatly enhances one's take home pay. I work this way as a social worker, but I'm unsure if a new graduate teacher could do it so easily as one with experience, and you are usually expected to get in and teach straight off the bat.

Torbek, is there a specific reason you prefer to go to the UK? I ask this out of interest. I am considering spending my first year after graduation teaching in London too and have wondered, why not return to Oz, get much better money and the same training.

I see the ads in Thailand ask for UK Curriculum knowledge. If I taught in NSW for example, would this be considered equivalent?

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torbek · 23rd July 2008, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by insideleft

$72k...where is that?

Northern Territory. At aboriginal settlements.

(I didn't say it was an easy $72,000...but there are about 150 vacancies they can't fill. Hardly surprising, I suppose...

)

Quote:

Torbek, is there a specific reason you prefer to go to the UK? I ask this out of interest. I am considering spending my first year after graduation teaching in London too and have wondered, why not return to Oz, get much better money and the same training.

Because the general starting salary for teachers is $55,000 or so. I can earn a fair amount more than in my current profession, so if I was to stay in Australia, I'd find it hard to accept a heap less than I could otherwise earn. I'd figure it was better to spend the two or three years boosting savings/superannuation...as I am.

But if I was in the UK, I would be regarding it as a semi-holiday as well...see the sight around the UK, weekends on the continent, a season or so of Premier League...while also getting the crucial couple of years experience that would allow me back to Asia in a reasonable paying role.

Another couple of years here and I can live in UK on GBP22,000, supplemented by savings.

Quote:

I see the ads in Thailand ask for UK Curriculum knowledge. If I taught in NSW for example, would this be considered equivalent?

Maybe. Depends what level. They do ideally seek genuine GSCE, International GSCE, and A level experience. But they accept other experience. The more senior the level, they more they might insist on UK experience. Teaching A levels is more about teaching for the exam than general education, and therefore complete understanding is more crucial.