Job Discussion Forums

krisrauc · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 4

Hello,

I am a recent college graduate. I have an elementary education degree and a professional teaching certificate. I also have a TESOL/TEFL certification through the Oxford Seminars. I have volunteered teaching ESL to adults at a community organization for about 6 months. I have started my job search; however, it seems as though all international schools in Latin America require at least 2 years of classroom experience. Would it be easier for me to secure a job if I apply in person or should I just abandon the idea of me getting a job in an international school due to my lack of experience? Can anyone recommend reputable language institutes? I originally wanted to teach in Argentina, but now am open to explore my options in any country in Latin America.

I know this is alot.......Thank you!

krisrauc

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

Yep, most international schools require two years at least, anywhere in the world. try a bilingual school, look at www.ibo.org

Just apply, you-ve got nothing to lose, I was at an internatinoal school and towards the end of the hiring season, they get desperate trying to fill jobs and hire poeple with no teaching license or experinece. But then, they did have life experience, adn they were teaching Business, law, etc.

DON_T apply in person.l Apply online, you-ll get better benefits if you-re an overseas hire. try to get into schools. If you-re not picky about the country, or city, you should find something. Larger cities mean more competition.

Another place to try is www.tes.co.uk

good luck

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

Try to find a teaching job locally for those 2 years. Time runs fast, and after a year you might be experienced enough to go abroad.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

....i agree with Guy -- go to one of the intl recruiting fairs in NY, Miami, Atlanta, or wherever you are (you didn't say). they'll probably take you with 6 months....if not, be a sub, long term replacement, or maybe Adult Ed classes for a couple years??

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

There are different kinds of international schools, just as there are different types of language institutes.

Here in Peru for example, I know of an international school that won't even look at your CV unless you have 5 years teaching experience, preferably with IB. I also know of international schools that take people with teaching degrees and little experience. Don't be put off by the requirements of the major schools in the capital cities of Latin America. There are always other options.

Check out the LAHC website. This is an association of British schools in Latin America (Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico mainly). This is the time of year to be applying as the new school year generally starts around February/March time.

I am a Head of English at one of the many international schools in LA. I look for enthusiasm and joy of teaching as much as paper qualifications. Of course the qualifications are important but think back to your own school days: every one of your teachers had an education degree and probably some higher qualification too. I bet some of them bored you stupid and were incapable of managing a class or getting their point across. Teachers aren't defined only by pieces of paper.

If I were in your shoes, I would do some research into which countries you would like to teach in and then find the names of schools there. Send them your resume with a covering letter which tells them who you are, what you offer their school and why you are interested in teaching. Make it clear that you are interested in THEIR school - I almost always bin the letters that begin 'To whom it may concern... I would love to teach at your fantastic institue which has such a wonderful reputation...' If the person can't even be bothered to find out the name of my school, I can't be bothered to find out more about them.

Good luck with the job search - don't give up thinking you lack the experience. We all had to start somewhere and there are places out there who are willing to give a newbie a chance.

krisrauc · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 4

Thank you everyone for your advise and encouragement.

Keepwalking, could you please post a link to the LAHC website. I am having difficulty finding it.

Thanks again,

krisrauc

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

www.lahc.net

atimeforeverything · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Busan, South Korea

does anyone know where I can find information about international school job fairs? in the US?

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

If you�ve a valid teaching license and at least two years teaching experience, preferably in a school, then teaching at an international school might be fore you. You generally get paid summers, longer holidays, and better hours than working at language institutes. Working at an international school is usually a bit more stressful though as you have more lesson planning, meetings, and grading to do. But it might be worth it.

There are two ways to get jobs at international schools: recruitment fairs or applying directly.

International Recruitment Fairs
Many positions are filled at recruitment fairs. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a small fee in order to register with an agency. Below is a calendar to keep in mind when looking for international school positions.

September: Register with a recruitment agency.
October/November: Submit references and dossier.
December: You will be notified if you are accepted.
February: Interview at the recruitment fairs.
March/April: Contracts are made.
May/June: a few more recruiting fairs open for schools to fill last minute vacancies.
July/August: recruitment agencies fill final vacancies

Here are the most popular recruiting agencies.
Search Associates: 2618 Fuller Avenue Minden, NV 89423 http://www.search-associates.com

International Schools Services, PO Box 5910, Princeton, NJ 08543. www.iss.edu A non-profit organization with a wide range of services for international schools, ISS annually operates two large fairs each February: one on the east coast (Washington, DC in 1998), one on the west coast (San Francisco, 1998) plus a late one in Philadelphia each June. They place over 500 candidates.

European Council of International Schools, 21 Lavant Street Petersfield GU32 3EL. www.ecis.edu UK ECIS hosts a major recruitment fair in London early each February and a later one in April. A mix of American and British based schools attend.

University of Northern Iowa University of Northern Iowa Career Services, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0390. www.uni.edu/placement/overseas

Applying Directly
You can apply directly to a school either by answering adverts or simply sending a letter of introduction to the schools of your choice.

Lists of schools
www.nics.org/openings.php Network of Christian Schools Int'l
www.cobisec.org/ Council of British Independent Schools in the EC
www.state.gov/m/a/os List of American International schools
www.bisw.org/ British International Schools Worldwide
www.acsi.org Association of Christian Schools International
www.ibo.org International Baccalaureate Organisation
www.isbi.com/ Independent Schools of the British Isle
www.aassa.com/htm/schools.htm Association of Am Schools in SA
http://aoshs.wichita.edu/SchoolsByCountry.html Am Overseas Schools
www.iie.org Institute of International Education

Advertised jobs
http://www.joyjobs.com JoyJobs.com (Fee required)
http://tieonline.com TIE Online
http://www.tes.co.uk TES