Job Discussion Forums

[Soundbite]

Can anyone clarify for UK passport holders? If I currently have a Masters in a non-related field, what courses would I need to do to get licensed as a teacher, that would open up international school options abroad? What's the timescale?

[Baggio]

[scot47]

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/secondary-school-teacher

focussed on the position in England rather than UK.

[suphanburi]

[santi84]

[Soundbite]

Thanks to the posters who replied, very informative!

[nomad soul]

[natsume]

I dropped out of an MA/Secondary Credential program because the reality of working in both the population and context of American high schools was not for me. My goal was also international schools, but the minimum of two dues-paying states-side years of experience was too unpalatable of a prospect, for me. I saw 25-30% of the job, for most teachers, being admin, and 50% of the energy being required in class relegated to classroom management. Getting through those hurtles and actually teaching seemed both a desperate and daunting task.

I had been on the fence about which way to go, and I am far, far happier getting my MATESOL now (May!), and the chance to teach college level EAP writing throughout my MA has cemented the fact that for me, (somewhat) adult international students are a population I truly enjoy working with, have success with, and can make a career out of working with. Things did not feel right while I was pursuing my credential, things definitely do feel right now.

To each, his/her own.

[rayman]

I travelled to Asia for a holiday not long after completing a PGCE. The plan was to stay a month. That was 13 years ago.

I started with a gig at EF - that lasted 3 months. Then I scored my first international school job. In hindsight, it was a lower tier school, but at the time it felt like I'd hit the jackpot. The salary was quadruple what I was getting at EF, with a few benefits thrown in. After that, I was hooked and keen to work my way up the tiers of international schools.

Most of my time has been spent teaching primary students, as that's where my qualifications lie. But I also taught some secondary science and math. The second school I moved to was an IB school, and the other two thereafter have been as well. I recommend seeking out these schools when beginning your international school career.

During my time overseas, I did a MEd and more recently a Grad Cert. (TESOL). I've just recently moved into the ESL department of my current international school. At this point in my career, it feels like the ultimate job. There's fewer responsibilities than homeroom teachers, less parental pressure and yet, the compensation package is identical.

As such, I intend to remain teaching ESL in international schools, with perhaps a switch back to homeroom if I get bored, for the remainder of my career.

I definitely recommend getting certified as early in your career as possible.

Best wishes.

[twowheel]

natsume,

Best of luck with everything!

twowheel

[1st Sgt Welsh]

I've put about seven years into TEFLing and my first degree was in History. If I had my time all over again, I would have just done a Bachelors of Education from the start and tried to branch out into the international schools ASAP. As others have mentioned, the pay in international schools, compared to most TEFL positions, is often vastly superior, the holidays are usually excellent and you can get well-paid in countries that you would actually want to live in. Anyway, I'll be getting my teaching registration this year, but, with twenty-twenty hindsight, like I said, I wish I had done it much sooner. Live and learn.

[chrisp728]

I was looking at the Diploma in Education and Training (DET), formerly DTLLS. This is a British qualification that gives you QTS and allows you to teach in British schools and colleges, and frankly it's a hell of a lot easier than doing a PGCE (with the same ultimate result). Anyone done one?

I'm in the Middle East teaching adults - nice job, and minimal admin/paperwork/meetings/marking etc. That's what really puts me off international schools and secondary schools in general - horror stories of teachers spending all their weekends marking, pushy parents, preparing students for exams, all time-consuming stress (on top of actually teaching the lairy little buggers!)

Are international schools better than that? 1st Sergeant Welsh - you're in Philippines? What are the schools like there?

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[Soundbite]

[nomad soul]