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?

[lambada]

I don't believe that. You need a B ED, Dip Ed ie PGCE or PGDE (whatever) to teach in an international school. M Eds vary so much in content. I specialised in Tech Ed and Linguistics ie IBLI / Web Design but had the choice of calling it MTESOL, M ED or Masters in Applied Linguistics. Go figure:-) You could be specialising in Life Time Learning, Adult Education or Educational Leadership. What direct use would that be in an International School? The M Ed is for furthur Post Graduate specialisation.

[door3344]

Right. And in most countries you already need to hold teaching qualifications (B ED, Dip Ed, PGDE, GDipTchLn, PGCE) before you can enter an M.Ed. program.

If what you are talking about is an MA in TESOL or applied linguistics this probably won't help you get a job at an international school because they are not professional programs in education leading to teacher certification.

Basically, international schools want candidates who have teaching qualifications (like the ones mentioned above) and are certified/licenced to teach in the school systems of their home countries. In the case of Hong Kong they also generally require several (2-5) years experience either at another international school or as a classroom teacher in your home country.

[Hoosier]

I can tell you that unless you have a Bachelor of Education, BA + Diploma in Education or PGDE and two years of classroom teaching experience, meaning you teach just about every subject in the class except for art, PE, music and other languages, there is pretty much not a chance of getting considered in an international school. Unless you want to be an ESL teacher, which then means that you should have TESOL/TEFL qualifications in addition to teaching qualifications and 2 years of ESL teaching experience. It's not easy to get in. I have friends who have the PGDE from HKU but are not considered by international schools in their applications to be classroom teachers because the PGDE is subject specialized. As for M. Ed, it's only useful when you have already obtained teaching qualifications and you are planning to apply for leadership positions.

[lanceevan1]

You do not really need a MA ED to teach at most international schools, what they are really looking for is experience, preferably in like-minded international schools. A lot of schools right now prefer candidates to have IB (International Bachloriate) experience (IB Dip for High School/MYP Middle Years Program OR PYP Primary Years Program).

Also consider signing up for the job fairs through Seach Associates or ISS (international school services) Many schools wont even look at you unless you have a file on record with them.