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English Language Development Teacher

English Language Development Teacher

Prince of Wales Island International School

Balik Pulau/Penang

  • Expired
Job type:
Full Time, Fixed Term
Apply by:
19 February 2018

Job overview

English language development teacher 

For The POWIIS English Language Entry Programme (PELEP)

Prince Of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) seeks an exceptional teacher to drive a new initiative. In addition to our conventional EAL support structure, in September 2018 we will starting a special programme of intensive English for 10 high ability prospective year 7 or 8 entrants. The maximum age will be 13 on September 1st. The appointed specialist will work extensively and intensively with this small selective unit of students for one term, after which the students will be assessed for progression into the mainstream curriculum.  In the unlikely event of insufficient development, students are unlikely to continue at the school. This is a high immersion programme for able students, and significant language development is necessary.  A new cohort is anticipated to begin the programme in Term 2. The students will board at the school.

The appointee to this new programme will have initiative and drive, and be outcomes focussed. She or he will be an English first language speaker with an exemplary track record of achievement. She or he will have a strong academic background, and a breadth of experience. The post may suit a successful primary specialist with in-depth experience of teaching reading, and oral communication. Most important is a commitment to providing, for highly motivated students, the key to future success at POWIIS and beyond.

Interest in this initiative is strongest from Japan, Korea and China from families desiring a holistic English medium education. An appointee with experience of educational backgrounds in these countries would be advantageous, but it is not essential. The approach sought is a focus on speaking and reading; detailed attention to language structure, and grammatical understanding, is NOT a priority.

POWIIS English Language Entry Programme (PELEP)  will operate as an independent entity in parallel with, but with support from, our existing EAL provision. The appointee will report directly to the Deputy Principal (Curriculum).

The school offers an holistic education and all staff are involved in our extensive co-curricular programme. Also, the pastoral care of all our students is a priority and all staff are allocated a small group of tutees across the age range of the school, for whom they will provide support and mentoring in their academic progress and personal development. Opportunities may exist to join our boarding staff, while all staff are involved in our boarding programme on an occasional basis.

Malaysian work permits are usually granted for two or three years. Contracts are therefore fixed term, but continuity is important for the school; it is hoped that appointments will be seen as longer term, with renewal of contracts common in the school. The school is proud of its staff stability, as most enjoy the lifestyle the region provides and the professional progression we actively promote. The staff is predominantly European, who share with high quality Malaysian colleagues, outstanding resources. There is a deliberate focus on staff development, with low staff turnover.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the school’s website:  www.powiis.edu.my 

The schedule for this appointment is:

Advertising from Tuesday 30th January 

Closing Date for applications: Monday 19th February

Skype preliminary interviews shortly thereafter

Candidates should apply to the school directly at recruitment@powiis.edu.my sending a completed application form together with a brief letter of application and Curriculum Vitae. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and supporting documents are not required at this stage. We will acknowledge all applications; however we receive a lot of interest in our roles and if applicants do not hear further from us by 2nd March, they should assume their application has not progressed.

Attached documents

About Prince of Wales Island International School

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+60 8689999

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The Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) is a co-educational day and boarding school (Years 7-13) modelled on the best of British independent and international education. We follow a curriculum based on the English National Curriculum in Years 7 to 9,  and offer IGCSE and A level for senior students. Attracting students from Penang, the whole of Malaysia as well as internationally, POWIIS currently welcomes around 400 students. We are not highly selective, and accept students with a broad spread of ability, but our cohorts include many very able students. Results at IGCSE, AS and A level are strong, and most leavers head to top universities in the UK, US, Australia or Asia.

Academics are only part of the story at POWIIS, however, and we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, and every Friday afternoon is devoted to the POWIIS Project, where students select from a wide range of activities designed to enhance their global citizenship and develop their soft skills.  We also offer an enhanced programme for students who are part of our Arts Academy.

The outstanding facilities are located in the attractive rural location of Balik Pulau, on the island of Penang. Facilities at the school are second to none in Penang, and arguably in Malaysia. They include a substantial and developing library, a magnificent 500 seat natural acoustic auditorium with full backstage and technical facilities. Our Steinway D concert grand piano, a provision usually found only in professional venues, is indicative of our leading reputation in the performing arts. There is a multi-purpose sports hall, a 25 metre swimming pool, football and netball pitches, tennis courts, a fitness suite, art studios, and a design technology centre.

The senior staff are from leading schools internationally and many of the teachers have come from other top international schools or directly from the UK. We are seeking to recruit able and visionary teachers interested in supporting high standards in a friendly and relatively informal atmosphere, where contact with students extends well beyond the classroom.  One of the attractions for teachers is the quality of the students, most of whom are utterly delightful, many are talented and discipline problems are largely absent. The school has a very special atmosphere of purposeful and relaxed co-operation with excellent staff/student relationships.

Because of its beauty and gentle life-style, Penang is an attractive location for teachers at various stages of their careers. It is an excellent and safe place for families, but the comfortable standard of living and exotic travel opportunities will appeal to younger teachers as well as those at a more senior stage. The quality of life, for all, is very high, not least because of the warmth and generous hospitality of the people of Penang.

Part of the philosophy of the school is that subjects should be taught by specialists at all levels. Candidates for posts should therefore have good academic backgrounds themselves and be able to teach across the range from Year 7 through to A level. One of the great strengths of the school is that teachers have a whole range of interests themselves, enabling contributions beyond their subjects. Teachers are encouraged to follow their own enthusiasms within school and, indeed, to be seen to pursue their areas of interest outside. The school’s trips calendar is impressive, both within Malaysia and overseas.

POWIIS is a boarding school and consequently all teachers are expected to contribute to the wider aspects of boarding school life including occasional evening and weekend involvement on a rota basis. Experience of boarding education and independent schools is an advantage but by no means essential.

POWIIS is committed to the safety and well-being of all of its students. Those appointed will be subject to a thorough background check and must be able to provide up to date and full police checks/child protection certificates/criminal records disclosures covering all countries in which they have lived and/or worked for at least the last 10 years.

We do our best to acknowledge applications and to keep applicants informed, but the large number of applications sometimes makes this impossible, for which we apologise.

Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.

Applications closed