Teacher Qualifications

Below are the required qualifications for international school teachers followed by qualifications that are not mandatory, but are desirable and make a teacher more competitive.

Required Qualifications

• Native English speaker - Due to demand by our partner schools, we regret that we are unable to hire teachers who are not native English speakers.
• Western curriculum teaching - International schools teach a Western based curriculum. As such, applicants MUST have experience teaching in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South African national curriculum.
• Outstanding teaching ability - All teachers should be able to demonstrate a strong teaching ability and a genuine enjoyment of the job.
• Some experience - International schools prefer teachers with at least two years of teaching experience, some require more and others will accept less.
• Bachelor's degree - A four year Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required; additional degrees and certifications are always desirable. In addition, most schools require a Teacher's certificate.
• Flexibility - It is impossible to successfully live and work overseas without a healthy dose of flexibility and a sense of adventure.
• Creativity and enthusiasm - International schools want teachers who are creative and enthusiastic in their teaching and in their lives because they want individuals who will inspire and challenge students.
• 2-year minimum availability - Teachers must be able to sign a two year teaching contract, as required by most schools. Of course, at the end of a contract continued employment is possible upon mutual agreement of the teacher and school.
• Excellent references - Teachers should be prepared to provide three references, one supervisor, one parent of a recent student, and one other character reference. In addition, teaching applicants must not have a criminal record.

Desired Qualifications

• Teachers Certification - Most schools require teacher's certification for teachers and all prefer it. However, many schools have teacher intern positions available, for which no certification is required (however, a Bachelor's degree is). For those positions, applicants should have graduated with honors from an excellent university and have experience working with young people in some capacity.
• Overseas experience - International schools prefer teachers who have studied or worked overseas before. Those who have not should strongly desire to work and live in an international environment, should understand the associated challenges, and should demonstrate flexibility in adapting to new situations or living conditions.
• Global perspective - Evidence of multiculturalism in a teacher's life is particularly important for those who have not lived and worked overseas before. A willingness or desire to learn the language is also a plus.
• Single teacher or a teaching couple - Since travel expenses, housing, insurance, and visa procurement are taken care of by the school, most of the time teachers who have no accompanying, non-working dependents are preferred.
• IB experience - International Baccalaureate (IB) program experience is preferred and in some schools required.
• Extra-curricular activities- The more outside skills a teacher has and the more activities they are involved in, the more desirable they are to schools. International school teachers are often expected to participate in extra-curricular activities and schools want to know teaching candidates have a willingness and desire to be involved in a variety of things outside of their job.
• Language knowledge - It is good to have some prior knowledge of the local language, or of any foreign language. Not only does this make a teacher more useful to a school, but it indicates a global perspective in their life.