International School Teachers
Just as there are many reasons why teachers teach abroad there are many different types of teachers and teaching jobs abroad: there are international school and ESL school administrators who run the schools, or nanny teachers and tutors who live with families and educate their children, or ESL teachers who teach English as a second language, either in international schools or ESL schools, or there are international school teachers.
Who are International School Teachers?
Unlike teachers at ESL schools positions which require very little in the way of training and certification, teachers at international schools are subject to much stricter requirements. Those who are qualified to be international school teachers can also be ESL teachers, but not the other way around. Read the full detailed list of teacher qualifications, but in general all teachers at an international school must have a teaching certificate. In addition, many countries require that the teacher have a Bachelors in Education. Experience isn’t as important as a teaching certificate for a job, but some schools do require a minimum of 2 or 3 years teaching experience. But keep in mind that your student teaching experience will often count toward this requirement.
About Teaching at an International School
International schools recruit teachers from English speaking countries (the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand) because their curriculum is taught 100% in English. That said, you will likely have some teaching colleagues from the host country. This is truer in some regions (like the middle east) than others due to their desire for a local “flavor” and culture at their international school as opposed to a strictly American or UK institution.
At all schools around the globe teachers are the life blood of the institution. Nowhere is this better understood than at international schools, where teachers become a partner with the parents and school administration for the welfare of the child.
Pay and Benefits for International School Jobs
International school pay and benefits will vary widely between regions, countries, and cities, depending on a large part on the cost of living of the city as well as the level of comfort and convenience you’ll experience at the school and in the city. Detailed pay and benefits are listed on each of our jobs, but for a general overview check out the pay and benefits section of each region of teaching (Teaching in the Middle East, Teaching in South America, Teaching in Africa, Teaching in Asia, etc.).