Job Discussion Forums

[rustbot82]

I was wondering if anyone has experience working in international schools in Latin America. I'm teaching English at a private hagwon in Seoul, South Korea, and looking for a more professional future. I'd like to go back to school and get some qualifications in a few years. And international schools sound really attractive in a number of ways.

I know there is a demand for state-certified teachers from the US in the international school job market. And I know that in the US math and science teachers are always in demand, but other subjects not so much in many places.

Is there less demand for ESL teachers than for teachers who are certified in other subject areas?

What subjects are in demand?

Do most international schools have ESL programs?

Or are the students already so proficient in English that its not part of the curriculum?

Also, what are pay and conditions like at international schools in that part of the world?

How competitive is the job market?

How important are one's academic credentials?


Thanks in advance to anyone with relevant experience!

[TeresaLopez]

I have taught in an international school in Guatemala, and a couple of them in Mexico, as well as in public schools in the US, in Chicago and Milwaukee, and a Catholic school in a suburb of Chicago. You will almost always make quite a bit more money in an international school, teaching content in English, as opposed to being an ESL teacher. In addition, you will usually have better stability, and will also usually get a better benefit package. Most of the time to work in an international school you need to have a degree in education and be, or have been, a certified teacher in your home state (or states, neighboring states often have reciprocal agreements). There are some schools that will hire you without you having been certified, but they will be on the lower end of the pay scale. If you want to work at one of the really elite schools, you will need a teaching certificate, and a couple of years of experience.

To answer your other questions. Some schools have ESL programs, but in some, English is the language of instruction, and your students will be diplomat�s kids or expat�s kids, or the local elite, some of which may have already lived or studied abroad. Other schools offer some classes in English, and some in Spanish.

Math and Science are, of course, very much in demand, but really there is a place for all academic subjects, and if you teach at the elementary level you will typically have a self-contained classroom so will teach most, if not all, subjects.

Pay is generally pretty good when you take into consideration the much lower cost of living. When I lived in Guatemala I made roughly the equivilent of $1200 US per month, clear, but this was about 20 years ago. The cost of living at the time was quite low, so that was an ample salary, for day to day living as well as in country travel a couple of times a month.

In Mexico, I know of several schools that pay in the $2500 US (per month) range, per month, plus benefits. A single person with no debt can live just fine of $1000, so that is, for most people, an ample salary. An ESL teacher will typically make $1000 - $1500 US, so you can see there is a pretty big difference.

One thing I should point out, though, is that my experience has been that teaching ESL to adults is far less stressful, and far more enjoyable than teaching in a large number of international schools, where the students (at least once they get past the 4th or 5th grade) can be pretty overbearing.

[rustbot82]

Thanks for the info!! I really appreciate it!

That basically jives with what I thought was out there in terms of opportunities.

My BA is in History, which I originally wanted to teach. But there are no jobs in my home state in that area. Are there jobs overseas for History or Social Studies teachers? Is that any less grim a job market than in the US?

How do salaries compare to what teachers make back in the US? How much of that income could one save?

Do people at international schools get December and summers off like teachers in the US?

[naturegirl321]

I taught in an international school. IB related.

Be aware that there are local hires and those that are hired from abroad. Pay and benefits vary A LOT: I was a local hire, even htough I was hired while in Korea. I had more quals and more exp than the other new teachers and had less pay and benefits. I was making 1500 a month, they were making 2000. At other schools, teachers can make up to 5000 a month, PLUS benefits.

that's the reason I moved on. Unfair pay scales. And annoying parents, and stress, and I could go on, but. . .

Yes, less demand for ESL teachers
Secondary school subjects, maths and science
Yes, most have ESL programmes.
But again, lots are native speakers.
Very competitive for good schools
Exp, quals, and connections are important.

I prefer university jobs to be honest: less stress, no annoying parents, and more vacation!

[naturegirl321]

[brian1972]

I teach at an American school in Mexico. Pay is on average... around 1000 dollars per month plus housing, bonus, travel stipend and medical. I think some international schools require a teaching certificate or at the very least a BA plus teaching experience. At all the schools I have applied to, including my own, you can teach in any subject you want. Regardless of your certification or degree. So if you are a certified Science teacher, you could teach second grade if you so desire. In other words, you can apply for any opening.

Hope that helps.

[BocaNY]

[naturegirl321]