International Schools around the world follow different schedules. Before you apply for an international teaching job, you’ll want to find out when the terms begin so you know when you’re likely to start. Knowing when International School Holidays in Asia are is also useful for planning your own holidays throughout the year. When teaching in Asia, it’s cheap and convenient to travel to neighboring countries for exciting adventures!
These are the holiday schedules for countries in South East Asia (note that many holidays follow the lunar calendar and thus are on different dates every year and international schools holidays in Asia may differ slightly by school):
Brunei has a year-round schedule with three terms: 1st term – late August to early December, 2nd term – early January to late March, 3rd term – early April to early July. There’s also a one-week mid-term break in the 1st and 3rd terms.
1st term- Hari Raya AidilAdha, 1st day of Islamic New Year, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
2nd term – Chinese New Year, National Day (23 February)
3rd term – 1st Day of Ramadan, Nuzul Al-Quran
Malaysian schools operate on a three-term year round schedule with many school holidays and public holidays: 1st term – late August to mid-December, 2nd term – early January to mid-March, 3rd term – mid-April to mid July
1st term – National Day (31 August), Awal Muharram, King’s Birthday, Malaysia Day (16 September), Deepavali, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, as well as the Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday
2nd term – Chinese New Year, Thaipusam
3rd term – Labour Day (1 May), Wesak Day, Nuzul Al-Quran, Hari Raya Puasa
International Schools in China typically have a 191 day school year with a summer and Lunar New Year break. Classes run from September to June, with Lunar New Year falling sometime in January or February. Christmas is not a public holiday.
There’s also a one week holiday the first week of October and the first week of May. There are a few other one day public holidays throughout the year, but not all schools recognize these days as statutory holidays.
Hong Kong schools run from late August to late June, with a six-week summer break, a two-week Christmas/New Year holiday and a two-week spring break in April. There’s also a one-week holiday in early October and another one-week holiday for Chinese New Year (January/February).
Indonesia has a 4-term schedule from August to June, with 188 days of school: 1st term – early August to mid-October, 2nd term – late October to mid December, 3rd term – early January to mid-March, 4th term –late March to mid-June
1st term – Idul Adha, Independence Day (17 August), Islamic New Year
2nd term – Prophet’s Birthday
3rd term – Chinese New Year
4th term – Good Friday, 1st Day Ramadan, Labour Day (1 May), Wesak Day, Pancasila Day
International schools in Vietnam follow a three-term schedule from late August to mid June: 1st term—late August to mid-December, 2nd term—early January to late March, 3rd term—early April to mid-June. There’s about a 9-week summer break plus Christmas/New Year as well as spring breaks between terms.
1st term – National Day (2 September)
2nd term – Tet Holiday (5 days)
3rd term – Public holiday 30 April, Reunification Day (1 May)
In Cambodia, international schools follow a 180 day school year from August to June: 1st semester—early August to mid-December, 2nd semester—early January to early June. In addition there’s a three-week Christmas/New Year break.
1st semester – Pchum Ben Holiday (one week, September/October), Commemoration Day (15 October), King’s Coronation Day (29 October), Water Festival Holiday (3 days, October/November)
2nd semester – Khmer New Year (one week, April), Remembrance Day (20 May)
In Thailand, international schools follow a three-term schedule from mid August to late June: 1st term – mid-August to mid-December, 2nd term – early January to early April, 3rd term – mid April to late June. There’s a three-week Christmas/New Year break and also a one week break in April for Songkran, as well as one-week half-term breaks in October and February.
1st term – King Rama IX Memorial Day (13 October), Loy Kratong Day (November), King Rama IX Birthday(Father’s Day) (5 December), in addition to Constitution Day (10 December)
2nd term – Chinese New Year (January/February), 8th Makha Bucha Day (February/March)
3rd term – King Rama I Memorial(Chakri Day) Public Holiday (6 April), Labour Day (1 May), Wesak Day (May), HRH Her Royal Highness Queen Suthida’s Birthday (3 June)
Schools in the Philippines follow a 180 day school year from August to June: 1st semester – mid-August to mid-December, 2nd semester – early January to early June. There’s a three-week Christmas/New Year break in addition to one-week mid-semester breaks in October and April.
1st semester – Ninoy Aquino Day (21 August), National Heroes Day (26 August),
2nd semester – Labour Day (1 May)
Remember International School holidays in Asia will be slightly different from school to school, country to country. Often International Schools determine their school calendar and holidays by blending the holidays commonly offered in a Western curriculum school with the holidays most often celebrated locally. Resulting in lots of varied and exciting holidays to celebrate! In other words teachers reap the rewards of this blended approach to international school holidays in Asia.
Make the move to international teaching in Asia and start planning amazing holidays right away!
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