Moving abroad to teach can be a life-changing decision and one that can come with a lot of complications, so if you’re thinking about making the leap you’re bound to have lots of questions. One of the biggest things to consider when applying for an international teaching job is whether you have the qualifications necessary for the positions you are interested in. This is a quick guide to what qualifications certain countries and schools might require to give you a better idea of what you need to have in place before you start your international education journey.
What Qualifications Are Valid For Teaching Abroad?
If you want to teach in an international school providing an international compulsory education then you will most likely need to be a fully qualified teacher to be considered for a position. There are a number of different qualifications that might meet the requirements for teaching in a foreign country, depending on the level of education you want to work in and the country in question.
To teach in an international school providing a full high school curriculum you will need a bachelor’s degree either in education or in the subject you want to teach. You must also have completed your teacher training, either as part of a degree in education or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Necessary Experience?
Almost every country will also require a minimum of 2 years teaching experience, for teachers from the UK you may be able to demonstrate this with Qualified Teacher Status, whether gained during your studies or via placements after you gained your teaching qualification. You will have to prove you have passed your probationary year and some countries may require even more experience in order to qualify for a Highly Skilled Worker Visa allowing you to live and teach there.
Obviously, the requirements vary depending on the position and the country where you are applying to work; the Ministry of Education in each country sets out the necessary requirements to qualify for a visa letting you work in its education sector. This can vary a lot from country to country, countries across the Middle East, China and certain states in the UAE expect you to be able to prove a number of years experience teaching before you can be granted a visa, most likely 2 years, however some countries, such as Indonesia, expect even more.
Other Qualifications
Once you are applying for a teaching job internationally you might be facing some stiff competition for positions. Not only must you have the necessary qualifications for a visa but you will want to stand out of the crowd during the application process. There are certain relevant qualifications you can get to help you get your dream job teaching abroad.
A Masters in Teaching
Any further qualifications you have relevant to working in education are going to be a great advantage to any UK teachers hoping to work in international schools. A masters in education shows the dedication and knowledge that prestigious international schools are looking for in their staff.
IBEC
The International Baccalaureate is a diploma taught in many international schools, it provides a comprehensive high school curriculum designed to prepare pupils for higher education and the working world. It is internationally recognised by universities and employers as a full high school diploma.
The IB program offers qualifications under the IBEC, International Baccalaureate Educators Certificate, which can be studied through universities or other private routes. Holding this certificate will make you an ideal candidate when applying to teach abroad, it shows a willingness and drive to adopt international educational principles and makes you highly qualified for the practical elements of your new teaching job.
Qualifications That Don’t Meet Requirements
If you have doubts that your qualifications meet the requirements above then it’s important to make doubly sure you can apply for the positions you might be thinking about taking abroad. Unfortunately, certain teaching qualifications offered in the UK might not be valid internationally, certificates of education and NVQs may fail to meet the necessary experience required for work visas in certain countries. As well as this certain countries require you to be ‘degree’ level qualified to apply for a visa which disqualifies many higher education ‘diplomas’ awarded in the UK.
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Before committing to the decision to work abroad it’s essential to double check you meet the compulsory qualifications for the positions you are applying for, finding work through a UK-based business such as PureTeach can give you the support to be absolutely certain you’re applying for the right job for you.
