Update on teaching abroad

[peacetraveler22]

Some of you have written to ask about my plans to teach English abroad, which I discussed in this post. I was invited for a Skype interview tomorrow, and will let you know what transpires. This is my first interview via the laptop, and it seems strange to me but it's the only option when you're trying to recruit candidates from the other side of the globe, at least for the initial screening interview.

I have no idea what questions they will ask, but it's just an introductory session to learn more about the "Teach & Learn with Georgia" program, what they expect from me, and where I may be placed (in Tbilisi or some remote village). They will discover more about my qualifications, life goals and personality in the process...it's like a date almost, to see if we are compatible. :)

This will be my first time speaking with native Georgians, so let's see what happens. Already there were some challenges in the application process. Email addresses and forms on the official websites of The Georgian Ministry of Education and Science did not work, causing frustration and inefficiency with sending documents and applications, etc. Maybe this is done on purpose, to prepare potential teachers for the challenges they might face if they move to the country.

It's a huge life decision, but it seems the opportunity is one step closer, if I choose to seize it. Lots of balls in the air to try to juggle and balance. Stay tuned...:)

Comments

[nkhaba.livejournal.com]

Oh, I guess they are taking it rather seriously and trying to make sure the potential teacher can survive there and won't leave the next day after starting this job :-) On the other hand, the question about why you are not married seems too much to me - I can't imagine anybody in the US would ask it at a job interview :-) Also, I did not realize (or more likely missed that part in your previous posts) that you would be teaching kids, not young adults - I think dealing with kids could be more demanding.

So, do you think they liked your answers? And what about you - are you still interested?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I think it's a very common question of single women in Georgia. Probably it's almost unimaginable to the locals that a 43 year old woman like me could be single, with no children. Many of the female volunteers said their host families were always trying to find them Georgian husbands. :)) Yes, I would be teaching young school kids - 2nd or 3rd grade level, but I'm not the main teacher of the classroom. I'm sort of a "helper" for the main teacher, there to help with English lesson plans, etc. Yes, I am still interested, though I'm not sure the timing for this year will work. Let's see if they offer me the position. :)