"The trend is definitely on the rise," says Eteach International's Colin Bell. "Education is becoming more global. In the UK, many teachers are already teaching an international curriculum and they are starting to see the possibilities of taking their skills abroad."
The advantages of teaching in another country are manifold. "Of course it is an opportunity to understand a new culture and to raise awareness," says Bell. "But in addition to that, it is a great way for a teacher to build up their professional network, something which is so important that it is stressed even at teacher training college. These networks need not only be in the UK. Your teaching qualification is now a passport to the world."
The Middle East, Asia and Europe are the top three destinations for UK teachers, according to Eteach. "Europe tends to be the first foray into teaching abroad for many people. Just hop onto Easyjet or cross the Channel and you are there," says Bell.
"Other teachers who may be saving for their first foot on the property ladder are attracted by the opportunities offered by tax-free jobs in the Middle East. As for Asia, we find that people who have already had experience in this region, whether it be during a gap year, or even just a holiday, are attracted by the opportunity of returning and maintaining their career at the same time," he adds.
But be warned - international schools are not looking for candidates whose sole motivation is a paid holiday to warmer climes. "What we look for in a candidate is professionalism. This must come first. If teachers are talking about the travel more than the teaching in the interview then that does not impress. This is not a backpacking holiday. Applicants need to have a solid curriculum knowledge and a commitment to teaching," warns Bell.
And if you think that teaching abroad would only suit the young, free and single - think again. "Some schools actively seek to recruit couples and those with families. The idea is that a couple teaching together will provide each other with more support and this reduces the risk of the candidate wanting to return home. Most if not all international schools will offer reduced, free or subsidised fees for children of their teachers," says Bell.
Contracts at international schools tend to be for a minimum of two years. Many teachers who have tried it, find they get bitten by the bug. "I have spoken to teachers at conferences who have done a circuit of overseas posts," admits Bell. There are around 5,000 international schools worldwide but the positions on offer can vary and it does pay to do your research. "Many international schools are run like independent schools and some are boarding schools, so candidates must be prepared to take on additional responsibilities," warns Bell.
Will working abroad for a number of years be harmful to your career in the UK? This is a question asked by many prospective candidates, says Bell. And the answer is a resounding "No - not if you don't let it".
"There is a fallacy that teaching abroad for a couple of years can have a detrimental effect on your career back in the UK. Of course there is an onus on the candidate not to let their knowledge of the curriculum slip. It is essential to keep in touch while you are away and there are a wide range of initiatives from bodies such as ECIS and COBIS to keep you up to date," says Bell.
"It is important also to choose a school with a good reputation and that way what you will be teaching will be in line with what is going on in the UK. There are new proposals for inspections of International schools to make sure that they are up to standard and this should help," he adds.
In fact, a period teaching in a foreign school can set you apart from other candidates looking for jobs in the UK. "Those teachers who have spent a stint teaching abroad are often seen as having improved management and people skills," confirms Bell.
So, you still want to work abroad - but have you got what it takes? Here is the Eteach International rough guide to teaching abroad:
- The most sought-after candidates are those that can bring something extra to the post. If you have an extra skill, such as music, drama, languages or sport, you will be an even more valuable asset to many schools.
- Make sure you do your research on the region. Can you cope with the culture or the religion? If you are a woman working in the Middle East - how would you feel about being expected to cover up?
- Do your research on the school itself. It is important to choose a school with a good reputation and that way what you will be teaching will be in line with what is going on in the UK.
- Make sure you are flexible enough to be able to cope with the everyday changes to your lifestyle. You will need to be practical enough to be able to open bank accounts and manage finances in your new country and adaptable enough to cope with changes in your diet and routine.
- Are you able to leave your life at home behind? Consider family, such as elderly relatives, health issues and children's needs.
- Check what visas and immunisations you may need before you travel
The next step to finding a post abroad is to contact a reputable recruitment specialist, like Eteach International. "We can offer schools and candidates the opportunities to contact each other directly or we can work on behalf of the school to interview and shortlist the candidates. For the candidates the service is free and once they subscribe they can gain access to the database and can receive job alerts for the type of posts they are interested in," says Bell.
"We have a friendly support team with relevant experience in the sector. My experience includes teaching in Japan for two years, the Czech Republic for a year, managing recruitment of teachers to Asia, and heading up teacher recruitment for 6 years to a south west London Borough. Commitment to education is big part of my life, I still teach one night a week at a local FE College. We are all happy to offer advice. We attend a variety of international schools and conferences and we have colleagues who represent us around the world. We are cost-effective and run day and night with over 470,000 subscribers."
For more details contact: www.eteach.com
