How to recruit an EFL/ESL teacher in the Philippines

Recruitment is the process of looking and getting the right person in the right job.  And the success of the company depends on the person that will be hired.

Six years ago, I became a part of the recruiting team in one of the universities in Thailand.

I was assigned to assess foreign applicants who want to teach EFL in the Language Department of the university.

I encountered applicants from various backgrounds, and honestly speaking, it was a difficult extra job given to me.

To be a recruitment officer needs patience and analytical skill. You have 30 minutes to 1 hour with the applicant to decide whether he/she is going to fit in the job.

This article will talk about it, and my main focus is for language schools here in the Philippines who are looking for fresh and experienced ESL teachers.

Here in the Philippines, summer is the usual time for the new graduates to look for a job. It is a great opportunity for newly opened language schools to hire teachers, likewise for old language schools. Also, many Filipinos are benefited because of the possible jobs as ESL teachers.

Before you start the recruitment process, it is important to know exactly what your school needs. Have your goal in sight, and list down the questions that will guide you in the recruiting process.

Here are some of questions you need to consider:

• Are you planning to hire teachers for young learners or adult learners?
• What kind of ESL program your school is offering?
•  Is it a short term program or long term program for ESL?
• Are you looking for a teacher with a long experienced or just a new graduate? (Both of these have advantages and disadvantages)
• Do you want to hire a full time or part time teachers?

After you know what you want, you need to brainstorm the profiles of the candidates. These are the three categories you need to consider:

Qualifications –

·         Is a university degree important to the school?

·         Will you hire an applicant with a TEFL / TESOL certificate?

B.      Work Experience –

·         How long has been the applicant an ESL teacher?

·         Does the applicant have a work problem or criminal record in his/her past jobs? In 2007, an FBI fugitive was caught in Thailand. He was an ESL teacher in an international school when he was arrested. It was unknown to the school officials that the man they hired was a rapist and a pedophile in America. This experience should teach us that a background checkup is important during the hiring process. Here are the following suggestions that you can do to check the applicants background:

1.       Ask the applicant to produce a latest NBI clearance and local police clearance. You can also ask for authenticated birth certificate from NSO to be sure of the applicant’s identity.

2.       Call the previous employer if there is any, and ask for the applicants working behavior.

3.       If you noticed that the applicant’s documents are faked then it is better to get rid of him/her. Honesty still rules.

C.      Personal Qualities –

·         Is the applicant adjustable; has a sense of humor, energetic, knowledgeable, etc?

These three categories will help you during the recruitment process. You can add more categories as long it will fit on the job qualifications.

Let me add more questions that will help you before the recruitment:

·         What will you ask during the interview?

·         How will you verify the applicant’s diplomas and certificates?

·         Will you do a post interview before the actual interview?

The bottom line here is to get as much as information as possible before you invite the applicant for interview.

Now that you know what you are looking for, then you are ready to start for advertisement.

There are many ways to do it. You can do it by word of mouth, internet, newspaper, billboard, etc. If you will post advertisement on the internet, make it attractive to the applicants.

List down everything that the applicants needed to know like experience, qualifications, qualities that your school is looking for an ESL teacher.

You might want to include the information of the class (size, age group, type of ESL program). Do not also forget to include your school information, contact number, and its location. It is your discretion if you will also include the teacher’s salary.

Once you posted an advertisement through online or offline, then expect that you will receive calls or emails from potential candidates.

Check the applicant’s CV using the three categories I just mentioned. Use it to analyze if he/she is fitted for the job.

You can phone and ask a few questions if you want to ask some clarifications. If the applicant is well fitted, then schedule an appointment with the applicant. You can also ask him/her to bring some documents that will support the information written on the applicant’s CV.

Make it sure that the interview will be done in a quiet place without interruptions. It will make the candidate at ease and not to be stressful during the interview.

I’ve noticed that applicants reveal less if he/she is not at ease.

Avoid too personal questions.  It is better to list down the questions so there will be a flow during interview.

You can also ask the candidate to show a teaching demonstration in front of the student. After the interview, tell the candidate that he/she will be hearing from you in _ _ days.

Professionally speaking, it is better to wait at least 24 hours before you contact the candidate.

It will give you the time to decide to accept the candidate as an ESL teacher in your school.

I believed that a time well spent in finding a right person will give you less time spend with problems once the applicant is hired.

7 Factors That Helped My Wife Passed the Licensure Exam for Teachers

I was very happy this morning when I saw the name of my wife listed in the successful examinees of LET last September 2012. All I could say is THANK YOU LORD. She deserves it, and I am very proud of her.
I will say that there were 7 factors that helped my wife passed the test. Let me share it to you.
First, my wife prepared for the test. While we were still in Guam-Micronesia, she mentioned to me that she wants to take the test. Even though we were not yet in Philippines, she was busy preparing everything. She downloaded LET reviewers from the internet,she checked and listed down the requirements that were needed before and during the exam,and she asked my helped to scan and photocopied some documents for PRC Registration.When we arrived here, we also planned a lot of things too. She listed down the things that she will need before and during the test.Those were busy days for her, but it really helped her.
Second,my wife read a lot of books and magazines. When we moved here in Philippines, one of the things that she included in her luggage were books- literature books, grammar books, and vocabulary books. She also downloaded eBooks from the internet. Even some of the books were old, she doesn’t care.As long she can get information and refresh her knowledge, she reads it.
Third, my wife listened to some radio programs and took note of important information about the latest headlines, current events, etc. Every time I arrive from work, she always shared to me the latest headline of the day,and until now, she does it. She has also a notebook full of information, and uses it for note taking. She writes down practical information about relationship,human rights,and education. According to her, most of the questions in the Licensure Examination were practical questions. And she did not regret of spending time listening to radio programs, because it helped her.
Fourth, my wife chose and cooked what food to eat. During the last two months before the examination, my wife always cooked delicious and nutritious vegetables. I think choosing the right food also helped her passed the test. (I do not know if you will agree with me). She always served green leafy vegetables, beans, and food for the brain like peanuts. I remember the story of Daniel and his three friends. They chose to eat vegetables and fruits than to eat foods that was served on the kings table. The result- they were 10 times wiser among the scholars of Babylon.
Fifth, my wife reviewed her college notes and lessons on her free time,or before going to bed.  After she left Mountain View College, she carried with her the photocopied syllabuses and college notes. She takes time to read it during her free time or before going to bed at night. She also asked my help by asking her questions that she just read. She did not go to any review centers. She just reviewed by  herself. How about review centers? Review centers can also help you, but it will not be a guarantee that you will pass the test. It still depends on you if you will take your review seriously and focus on it.
Sixth, I supported my wife.A person cannot be successful in life if no one will support him/her. This is what I did to my wife. I gave my full support to her before and during the exam. There are lot of ways to support someone. It can be emotionally,financially,physically,and spiritually. Even simple good things that you will do to her will encourage her to pursue and succeed in life.
Seventh,we always include in our prayers her upcoming LET examination, and trusting God that He will be with her during the exam. My wife and I are Christians. We believe in the promise of the Bible that says,“Ask and it shall be given unto you.”I also included her in my personal prayers when I wake-up at midnight, or before I leave the bed every morning because I believe in the power of prayer.
In a few months, she will take an oath as a professional and licensed teacher. I wish her luck in her teaching career. For those who were not able to passed the last teacher’s exam, do not give up. There is hope in everything

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What are the requirements to be a professional teacher in public or private school in Philippines?

Due to recent changes in the educational system of our country, the Department of Education is expecting more teachers to work in public and private school starting next school year of 2013. 

This is a good news and a great opportunity for those who want to become a teacher. I have been teaching for a decade, and I can honestly say that this profession will always be in demand, and will never cease.

If you are planning to be a school teacher in our country then you must have the following requirements: 

First, you must be a graduate of Education in Elementary or Secondary, or you must be a Bachelor Degree plus a Certificate in Teaching Profession to be able to teach in secondary level. 

In some places, a CTP is not that important, only a Bachelor degree matters. (The reason why some schools accepts non-Education major without CTP is because of the lack of teachers in that area.)

However, having CTP for non-Education majors will give advantage and will make you eligible to take the Licensure Exam for Teachers. 

Second,you must passed LET to be a certified and licensed teacher. 

A teacher that has a license has advantages compare to non-license teachers. Below are the following:

• A license teacher receives more salary.
• A licensed teacher easily gets a job.
• A licensed teacher becomes a regular worker in his/her school.
• A licensed teacher receives more benefits especially in government schools.
• A licensed teacher easily gets hired if planning to work and teach abroad.

What if you do not have Certificate in Teaching Profession? 

The best thing to do is to enroll in a university or college that offers the 21 units in Education (Certificate in Teaching Profession) prescribed by PRC. 

I know it is time consuming, and not ideal for those who are working full time. However, there are ways to do it. 

• You can study during the weekend
• You can study online (This is what I highly recommend). 
• You can visit a university and speak to the Dean of the College of Education of the university, and ask him/her if you can do self study through modules.

If you are planning to take a CTP online, then I recommend the following open university in our country:

• University of the Philippines
• Philippine Women University
• Philippine National University
• Central Luzon State University

Those universities are highly recommend by many students. However, if you are not used in an online learning, then enroll in a traditional university that I've mentioned above.