If you’re making the decision to move abroad and teach it’s important to make sure you know how to present yourself as the ideal candidate. With plenty of competition for jobs, a lengthy application process and long distance interviews via video call, applying for work teaching internationally can be a complicated undertaking so you’ll want to make sure you stand out from the crowd as much as you can. So what makes the perfect applicant for teaching in an International School and how do you make sure your application is given the attention it deserves?
Be Qualified
If you want to teach in an international school that provides a qualifying high school diploma you will have to have achieved the status of fully certified teacher in the country you have studied. For teachers moving from the UK, this means either a Bachelors in Education or a degree in the subject you will be teaching plus the relevant teacher training necessary to qualify you as an educator, either a PGCE or equivalent. Most countries will also require you to have passed your probationary period as a teacher in your home country and may expect a number of years of verifiable experience on top of that, 2 years of full time teaching experience being the standard in certain Middle Eastern countries and Asia.
Be Dedicated and Driven
For obvious reasons applying for work internationally means partaking in remote interviews via video call. This can make it more difficult to make the right first impression, so it is essential to come across with a positive attitude and leave the interviewers a clear idea of what you as a candidate can bring to their institute. The ideal candidate for a position teaching internationally will be driven and forward, showing commitment and adaptability in order to teach effectively in a broad range of scenarios.
The application process for international schools starts earlier and is more extended than looking for work in your home country. Application committees will be looking to see consistency and commitment during the review process, as well as a positive attitude and an intention to prepare yourself to work abroad (ie, working towards international teaching certificates or assuring your visa application is timely and correct).
The kind of schools you might be applying to work in provide a high level of education to prestigious clientele, this means the interviewers will be looking for a professional and dynamic attitude throughout your application. These schools are looking for teaching excellence so make sure you present yourself as an exciting candidate, enthusiastic about education and willing to adapt to make sure your pupils get the standard of education expected in these institutes.
Show Cultural Sensitivity and a High Level of Communication
Teaching abroad means working closely with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, often in multiple languages and in unfamiliar scenarios. The people reviewing your application are going to want to see that you are culturally sensitive, take the time to understand the culture of the country you are applying to and don’t be afraid to show the time you have spent researching during the interview. Patience and an ability to communicate calmly when you are having difficulty being understood are essential for anyone wanting to teach internationally, consider volunteering in a position in your home country that showcases your ability to communicate and work with people from different backgrounds and cultures, this kind of experience shows you are aware of the needs of the position you are applying for and want to improve the skills you’ll need to communicate and educate effectively whilst working internationally.
Be Flexible and Up To Date
International schools make great demands of their staff, you will be expected to take on occasional extra hours, providing a high level of support for students inside and outside the classroom. Prestigious institutes take the provision of extracurricular activities very seriously, showing you are able and willing to train a sports team or take the lead in artistic projects, a school play or an exhibition of student’s work, can show that you’re the kind of dedicated and dynamic educator high-level schools look for globally.
Alongside this the kind of educational institute you will be applying to are likely to expect a high level of competence with modern technology and teaching equipment, classrooms in these schools are fitted with the latest in educational tech and you will be expected to utilise it effectively to deliver the curriculum. Showing you have a modern touch, and are comfortable with up-to-date teaching tech and methodologies will make you a cutting-edge candidate and ensure you have the best chance of getting your dream job teaching abroad.
Consider Additional Qualifications
There are a couple of non-essential qualifications you may want to study for to improve your chances in the international teaching job market. The International Baccalaureate foundation which runs curriculums globally, offers training in the IB Educator’s Certificate, this will show your willingness to learn the educational methodologies used by prestigious international institutes and provides you with the practical knowledge needed to teach in those schools. This is the qualification you want in order to truly stand out during the application process.
A TEFL qualification, or teaching English as a foreign language, is not quite as relevant to the needs of a long-term post in an international school, it is not a qualifying teaching certificate but does show the ability to teach adaptively and work with pupils who don’t speak English as their first language. A TEFL certificate definitely won’t do anything to harm your application to teach abroad.
Be the Best Candidate You Can Be
Outstanding institutions want outstanding educators, schools offering international private education demand the highest levels of teaching and expect the most from their employees. Working in one of these institutes can provide a huge boost to your CV so pushing hard to get an international teaching position can be really worthwhile. Working towards any relevant additional qualifications, volunteering or any extracurricular hobbies, sports training or Duke of Edinburgh instruction, can give your application the extra edge it needs to get you into your dream job and start you off on your international teaching journey.
