I was curious if anyone knows anything about teaching at international schools overseas. I am just starting to look into this and would like some advice to point me in the right direction. Mostly, I want to know if the same things that apply to securing a job in the states still apply to international schools. Is it better to have a BA than a Masters? Are SS and English positions still difficult to secure?
I believe you have to go through DOD and the process is quite extensive and long. Just a heads up....
The Department of Defense (DOD)? I am not sure about that. I was referring to numerous private institutions around the world that happened to be based on either an American or IB curriculum. Does anyone know anything about IB schools? Has anyone on this board taught at an international school?
I haven't done this, but I've done a lot of traveling and here is a link to an excellent website that can probably answer a lot of your questions: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ I've thought about doing this too, but I've got to say that I'd be a bit leery about it right now--the economy is terrible in most places right now and I'd be afraid that I'd get moved to a new country at great expense and inconvenience and then find out that the funding for the school had dried up. I'll admit that I've not looked into it much lately though and could just be talking off the the top of my head, so you'll want to do a lot of research of course. Also, not sure but I think you have to have special cert to teach IB classes--I heard someone talking about it one time. I hope you get to do this--some day I'd like to, but for now would probably stick to shorter volunteer assignments--I'd love to go to backwoods Botswana or some equally exotic place!
I live in Korea right now more than comfortably. They have given me round trip airfare from home, a rent free furnished apartment, health insurance, and an end of contract bonus. I have been to the Philippines twice, am planning a trip to Cambodia in December, and thinking thinking Singapore or Taiwan for February. This is with a BA in history and no certs. I don't mean to sound like a salesman but if you don't have kids I wouldn't worry about money drying up at a school. If you are even thinking about it, just do it.
I am living in Abu Dhabi right now, working for their public schools. They have a new initiative right now and every year are bringing in hundreds of licensed English speaking teachers. I work alongside an Arabic speaking teacher and teach kindergarten. I have been here for six weeks and am now moving into my own accommodations that are paid in full. Airfare was provided and is provided home once a year. Salary is great. Things definitely move at a different pace here, but that is life in the middle east. It is a different culture and it is amazing to have this experience. It is not easy but is it a wonderful learning experience. They want their kids to learn English because they want them to be able to go to colleges and to succeed when the oil money runs out. They are preparing for the future. This place is loaded with money now and it is apparent... but they realize that someday, it will be gone, and they are preparing for that. This year almost 1,000 teachers came out and I know they are recruiting about 50 more for January. At some point after that, they will begin recruiting for next year. I highly recommend looking into it. If you asked me even 5 months ago I would never have thought that I would be living in the middle east. Now, I am thinking I may stay longer than the 2 years my contract is for. If you have any questions feel free to contact me... I will get back to you as soon as I can. I have a master's, but I know many people here have a bachelors. There are also many, many private schools here which are more of what you are talking about, the American or British private schools. I don't know too much about those, but I would definitely start early if you are serious about going. Positions fill up and you have to consider things like visas, etc...
Isn't it amazing how much you are appreciated just because you are a native speaker of the Lingua Franca of the 20th and 21st centuries? It is really insane how much people will pay to learn English. Thank God I was born in the USA.
I've been in an American school overseas and it is a great learning environment. My brother is a superintendent of that same school, and he goes to hiring fares once or twice a year. There is a huge one in Iowa every year. Boston and Atlanta also have hiring fares. His daughter is now a school counselor at an international school. Transportation there is provided as is housing. It's a tight knit group of teachers who socialize together. Students are usually of the higher economic level and a bit more knowledgeable about the world, but other than that, kids are kids. These are the schools that teach the children of diplomats, international companies, and some families who want their children to be educated with an American curriculum. The subjects taught are the same as in the US. The schools go though the same accredidation review as we do. Go to a web site of an International school and read what they are looking.
I am not quite that far, but am teaching down here in Mexico. I am from California. The American schools recruit teachers who fluently speak English because of the importance of being bilingual in this country (and almost any country, with the exception of the US, which does not seem to value bilingualism like the other countries). I am not an English teacher, but a 1st grade teacher. This school is an English immersion school, so instruction is all in English except for their specials, which are taught in Spanish by Mexican certified teachers. In any case, to teach here you must have a BA and be a certified teacher. At my school, the student population is largely Mexican students, who come from more affluent families (some receive scholarships), with the second largest population being Koreans. There is a very high Korean population here in Mexico. Housing is paid for, for most of the teachers. Single female teachers live in a large house together, and they receive less money per month than say myself, because the school does not pay for my housing, I do. There is also housing for families, however, as there are families from the US (or other countries) teaching here. The school pays round-trip airfare (to home and back) once a year to the teachers, which is nice.
One thing I have learned through this experience is that there are other ways of life. Yes, I am glad to have been born in the US, but I also see another perspective of life as well, which has taught me that there is not necessarily a correct way of life, but different ways and that's ok.
Info SandyCastles and anyone else who have experience working overseas, could you please PM with info about how to go about applying for elem teaching positions outside the US? I tried PMing you but I'm a new member :unsure:
I don't want to high jack the thread, but I've been looking for some information about summer teaching abroad positions. Does anyone have a starting point for this? I have a regular school year job that I don't want to leave, but I'd love the opportunity to work in another country over the summer break.
Thought I'd revive this thread as I am planning on teaching abroad beginning in 2016. Anyone else? So far, I have registered with TIE, International School Review, and completed an application with ISS (international School Service).
Hi there! I currently work abroad and plan on doing so for the next 2-5 years! TIE is a great site, I'm on there as well. ISS is one you have to pay for as well, right? I'm not currently on there. There's a free site call TIC recruitment, which is pretty decent. Also, there's loads of jobs abroad on teachers-teachers.com. Where are you looking to work?
When I taught abroad I didn't register with any site or program. I just knew where I wanted to go and looked up schools in the area. I loved teaching abroad and can't wait to do it again!
That's exactly what I did, too. I just googled bilingual schools in the city where I wanted to move and emailed cover letters and resumes out to principals. I had a Skype interview was hired before I moved. It wasn't such a difficult process. Actually it was much easier than coming home turned out to be. I also loved my experience.
I'm going to do this as well. My husband and I are both teachers and we are open to almost anywhere but REALLY want Europe. I know that is a very competitive market--anyone here get a job in Europe? We have lots of experience but no international experience.
I did. I worked in Berlin. There are a lot of American teachers there who got jobs the same way I did, and there are plenty of bilingual schools.
Thanks cafekarma! I am not bilingual so would need an English speaking school. I would love to find a job in Berlin!
Great ideas to just search for schools in the location you are interested in moving to! If I travel to somewhere I would consider working, I do the same I always Google what schools are in the area! In China I'm about forty minutes outside of Shanghai. I would love to make it to Europe as well!
You don't necessarily need to be bilingual. I work in a bilingual school and I'm not bilingual Knowing the native language of the location you are working in does definitely help, but it isn't always necessary to land a job. Many bilingual schools only require you to know English (if English is the language of instruction at their school or part of the instruction). My school is this way. Students receive their "core" subjects in Chinese (math, science, history, and Chinese in Chinese). Then the have English, art, music, and P.E. in English. I work in the elementary department at my school. When they get to middle school/high school it changes. Their instruction is ALL in English (expect for homeroom and Chinese class).
In my experience most international schools want you to have at least 3 years teaching experience and it's preferable to already have international experience, but not a deal breaker if you don't. If you're not certified for IB, I'd look into that, especially for Europe. If you'll be teaching in English they don't care if you speak another language or not, they just want native English. Finally, check out Eastern Europe, not just western. I, personally, would love to live in Prague. You could also look into Poland, Romania, and Hungary.
Yes, definitely check out getting IB certified. It will definitely increase your chances of landing a job in Europe. I've got a few friends who are getting IB certified online right now. I believe there's tons of online certifications out there.
