Job Discussion Forums

[The Noodles]

Hi there

Am I right in thinking that a Masters in Education is the way to go if you want to teach at an International school?

A while back, I sent a post about obtaining a PGCE for the same purpose. However a few people have told me an MA. Ed is the way to go. My question is, what would I actually be able to teach with this qualification?

As I understand it, International schools do have ESL classes for non native speakers because they need to get to a level of English which will allow them to understand the English based curriculum. Am I wrong in thinking that?

Hypothetically, If they didn't have a ESL class, what then could I do with my MA. Ed if anything?

ESL is something i've been doing for three years and I think i'd be better off continuing with it. Just I want to do it at an international school. I know I could do an MA. ELT but what would be the advantage of that over MA.Ed and vice versa?

What do you all think?

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Hi


International Schools are usually looking for certified K12 teachers,

meaning teachers who can teach math, science, history etc.

English is part of the curriculum, but it's not the focus.


An MEd is a great qualification, no doubt about that,

but - official teacher certification is the way to go,

and that usually means going home to do it.


In England, it's known as a PGCE.

In the USA, it's a state teacher's license.

That's the real meal ticket to International Schools.


Second-tier international schools (those lacking official accreditation)

often overlook the teacher's license, but they pay less & usually

do not offer the perks that the bona-fide schools offer.

[takgeyon]

I agree it would be a great qualification but one that I would question the utility of getting once you are already here. The more they keep jerking people around with the VISA regs and all means that fewer teachers will be coming here to teach which traslates into higher salaries for all us. Trust me the demographics for certified teachers pretty much is prohibitive of the predisposition of coming abraod in mass numbers to teach. It's only going to get better as time goes on.