Job Discussion Forums

Mbarbetta1 · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 17

Hello Everyone,
I am a New York State certified adolescent Social Science teacher and have been told by some people who seem to know the market to consider an international school. I have a few questions.
1-What are some of the differences between international schools and other schools you can teach at in South America?
2-How do I go about finding these international schools and contacting them?

I am looking at Chile, Montevideo (uruguay), and Argentina. Thanks for the help everyone!
Mike

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

Aside from the obvious (you will most likely be teaching your specialism rather then English), the differences are usually pay and conditions. International schools usually pay better, and offer more perks (paid holidays, fixed hours, medical insurance, visas). That's not always the case, and like any business there are good and bad international schools out there, but as a general rule, the good int. schools are better than then good language institutes.

You are also more likely to be able to arrange an overseas hire with an International school. In fact you usually need to, if you want to negotiate a good package. Local hires generally get a worse deal, be aware that that can be a source of some resentment among existing staff.

I'm afraid I can't help you with specifics in the countries you are considering, but hopefully someone else will be along soon.

In the meantime there are directories you can search such as
http://www.cobis.org.uk/other-british-schools/argentina.html
http://www.cobis.org.uk/other-british-schools/uruguay.html

Those are for British schools, but I would imagine you can find similar directories for American international schools.

Mbarbetta1 · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 17

Thank you so much for the reply! the international teaching market can be hard to navigate sometimes.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Mbarbetta1 · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 17

Everyone, Thanks for the help! Naturegirl your advice is all over these forums and it has been a huge help with my research, your knowledge is a great source!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

From what I can tell most of the colegio's are really "private" schools with some international teachers...... I guess that makes them international, I dunno. I am sure there are some schools with both international staff and students (which is what I always thought of as an international school).

But yeah anyway you should be able to get a job. Go to the job fairs. I think that works best. You can get a job without doing that, but I think that most of the schools that pay the best hire at the fairs or through mouth.