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English Teacher, Tupou College, Tongatapu, Tonga

We are recruiting on behalf of the school and the supporting Methodist Church as part of their 'Lay Professional Programme'.

Tupou College in Tonga is looking for a qualified English teacher with at least two year’s experience. They also require that the post-holder is a practising Christian. Accommodation with full utilities will be provided on the campus, with a local topped-up salary. Costs of air travel and health insurance will also be covered by the school. National Insurance and some other set-up costs will be covered by the UK Methodist Church. Interviews will take place in the UK but the final decision on appointment will be made in Tonga.

Tongan is the first language for the majority of children but as a second language English is used in text books, examinations and official government documents. The school has a need for a native English teacher to increase its own standards. They would prefer someone to teach at levels 5 & 6 (years 11 & 12) but who can also share skills and knowledge with local teachers. The curriculum is set by the national Education Department.

It is hoped to recruit for departure in late January 2007 for the beginning of the school year. There will be a meeting of all teachers before term begins. Candidates who cannot begin until later will also be accepted but interview preference may be given to those who can start at the requested time. The preferred contract will be for two years (for less time-full costs might not be covered) and there are no age limits. The school is situated on the main Tongan island of Tongatapu, five minutes from the nearest village and 20 minutes by car from the capital city. There are no major health concerns in Tonga and the climate is kept moderate by the surrounding sea. Health facilities are good. The appointment would best suit a single person, but there are possibilities for work or volunteer posts for a spouse and local schools would be acceptable for children. However, some top-up education might be needed and negotiations about air fares and other support for families would need to be made.

Tupou College was founded 140 years ago by Methodist missionaries and is a boys boarding school with around 700 students, between years 7 - 13. The curriculum is wide, with a balance of Christian teaching, academic and vocational training, and sport. There is a demand for quality English teaching for those who want to go on to higher education and advance both locally and internationally. As a Christian college it is essential that the teacher is a practising Christian able to work within a traditional Methodist setting (but no single denomination is preferred).

Teachers share in conducting morning devotions for the students and there are many opportunities for other involvement from the choir to Bible study and youth activities connected with the school and local churches. The culture of Tonga has been deeply influenced by traditional Christian values - for example, expecting clothing to be worn while swimming.

General background

An archipelago of more than 170 islands spread over an area of the South Pacific roughly the size of Japan, Tonga is the last Polynesian monarchy. A deeply conservative, Christian country, it is ruled by a king supported by hereditary noblemen who together have a perpetual majority in parliament, electing or appointing 21 of its 30 members. A former British protectorate, Tonga became fully independent in 1970, though it was never formally colonised. Tonga has no strategic or mineral resources and is highly dependent on agriculture, fishing and the money sent home by Tongans living abroad, many of them in New Zealand. Endowed with tropical beaches, rainforest, active volcanoes and ideal diving conditions, it has a developing tourist industry, its principal source of hard currency earnings. Almost all of Tonga's people are Polynesians and its population has remained largely untouched by immigration. This has made it ideal for genetic research into the causes of common diseases. Although Tonga has a highly traditional society, some young, Western-educated Tongans have called for a new, more democratic constitution that would allow for direct elections to all parliamentary seats while retaining a titular monarchy.

A tentative step towards reform was taken in early 2005 when elected MPs were appointed to the cabinet for the first time. Previously, all cabinet members had been handpicked by the king from outside parliament. But demands for change have become stronger. A public sector strike in 2005, marked by major street protests, expanded into a campaign for political reform. The population is around 106,000and there are 170 islands (of which 36 are inhabited) scattered over 360,000 sq km of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands have a limestone base formed by uplifted coral. The majority of the population live on Tongatapu where the capital, Nuku'alofa, is situated.

The climate is tropical, with a warm season from December to May and a cooler season from June to November. Natural hazards include cyclones (November to April), earthquakes and occasional offshore volcanic activity. Life expectancy is high (71 for men and 73 for women) but GNP per capita is only $2190. Among exports are fish, pumpkins, coconut products and vanilla. There is no official British government representative in Tonga, with these matters being dealt with by the New Zealand High Commission. Consular matters (e.g. passport renewal) is dealt with by the British High Commission in Fiji.

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