YRDSB Global Classroom
Summer Teaching Assignments - Teach Abroad
Duties & Responsibilities
- Providing opportunities for YRDSB teachers to gain a professional teaching experience in a different educational context
- Exposing interested YRDSB teachers to life in a changing world community
- Giving participating teachers an opportunity to develop a better understanding of different cultures
Who Can Participate
- Priority consideration will be given to practicing teachers and principals at York Region District School Board schools
Positions Available/Job Descriptions
Multiple sites may be available, positions are defined per site.
- Administrator (1 position per site) - overseeing the overall quality of the delivery of both the teacher training component and student language camp, addressing student discipline issues if necessary, ensuring that all Canadian teachers are up to the YRDSB professional standard; speaking on behalf of the Canadian staff on issues related to Canadian teachers.
It is preferred that candidates for these positions have successful leadership experience, knowledge about different cultures, diplomacy to work with others and willingness to lead a team in a very different and challenging teaching environment.
- Lead Teachers (2 positions, per site) - Coordinating with the team for class planning, preparation and delivery; supporting the job of the Administrator.
ELL or ESL experiences are preferred; priority consideration will also be given to candidates specializing in Music, Visual Arts and Physical Education. Consideration will be given to candidates who have some leadership experience. Candidates must have a willingness to adapt to different cultural contexts and to work as a team in a challenging environment.
- English Language Teachers (20-35 positions, per site) - Conducting either training sessions for local English teachers or language classes (focusing on oral skills) for local elementary or secondary students.
ELL or ESL experiences are preferred; priority consideration will also be given to candidates specializing in Music, Visual Arts and Physical Education. Candidates must have a willingness to adapt to different cultural contexts and to work as a team in a challenging environment.
- Student Supervisor (duties)
- Assist in the hiring process of potential student candidates
- Provide training program in conjunction with the International Education Services Department
- Report to site Administrator
- Hold daily meetings with students
- Oversee daily operations of the program
- Assign students placements with classroom teachers
- Chaperone excursions with students
Host Cities/Length of Program
- China - July 15 to August 2 (tentative)
- Hong Kong - July 15 to August 9 (tentative)
- Korea - July 22 to August 9 (confirmed)
- Taipei - July 8 to August 2 (confirmed)
Timeframes will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Arrival/departure dates will be approximate due to flight availability and will be confirmed as soon as arrangements are finalized.
Key Timelines
- Deadline for all applications: February 8 (Deadline for Hong Kong is December 15)
- Deadline for selection of principals: December 31
- Deadline for selection of lead teachers: March 15
- Deadline for selection of teachers for each site: April 1
- Three orientations for each team will be held between April and the departure date.
- Deadline for submission of documents for visa processing (including signed visa application form, valid passport, one additional passport photo and visa application fee): May 15
Included in the Program
The program will have two inter-related component at each site:
- Teacher Training Component
- English Language Camp for local students
- Cultural orientation for Canadian teachers
- Local excursions
The overseas partners will cover the cost of:
- International round-trip air fare
- Connecting transfers to host city
- Acccommodation (hotel or dormitory)
- Cafeteria meals
- Accidental injury/medical insurance
How to Apply - Teachers
Application deadline is February 8, deadline for Hong Kong is December 15. Application instructions will be available in the coming weeks.
Past Experiences ...
Since 2008, York Region District School Board has been creating global opportunities to provide its teachers unique experiences to explore life in a changing world community.
By connecting teachers and students around the world these experiences inspire and prepare them and their learners for life in the world community.
In July/August 2008 forty-two teachers spent the summer in the City of Weifang in China training teachers of English Canadian teaching methodology while 6,000 student participated in English language instruction.
Likewise, in July 2009, 33 teachers shared similar experiences in Korea.
This past summer, during July and August, over 100 YRDSB teachers participated in the program in China and Korea.
Here's a glimps into those experiences ...
Dr. Bette Stephenson Centre for Learning
36 Regatta Avenue., Richmond Hill, ON L4E 4R1
international.education@yrdsb.edu.on.ca