6 Things That Make a Good International School

A decade ago, international schools were something unheard of. There were two kinds of schools, the ones that were run by the government and the ones that were privately owned and managed. They were either residential or were regular schools functional for 6-8 hours a day.

But now, there is a third variety of school, the international school, which is different although a privately owned and managed school is different from other private schools. There are many aspects that give international schools an edge over other privately owned schools. If you are looking for an international school for your child, you may want to make sure that you have chosen an international school that has the caliber to meet world class standards. Here are few tips that are characteristic of international schools:

* Curriculum:you should check if the school’s curriculum adheres to international standards. Implementation of IB (International Baccalaureate) program is a must.
* Faculty:check if the faculty at the school is internationally qualified. It is not enough if they know the subject well, they should be able to deliver it to the students in a way that makes them develop interest in the subject. You can check with the students and parents of students who are studying in the school. Read the rest of this entry »

Teaching English Abroad In International Schools

There are many opportunities for teaching English abroad that are open to anybody who is able to speak English fluently. Whether you have a teaching degree or a certificate in English language teaching you can find work almost anywhere in the world.

This article looks at two options for people who want to teach English abroad including private language schools and teaching English abroad in International Schools.

International Schools

International schools are elementary, middle and high schools for expatriate children whose families live abroad. There are international schools that offer an American curriculum, those that offer a British curriculum and many more. The language of instruction in most international schools is English but many of the students have English as a second or third language, and so most international schools have teachers who support these students by teaching them English language.

Teaching English abroad in international schools can be done with the same qualifications that are required for teaching in a private language school however you will be competing with people who have teaching diplomas. With over 4000 international schools worldwide, there are many positions vacant every year.

Teaching in an international school often offers better pay and more benefits than teaching in a private language school. Some benefits you are likely to receive teaching in an international school are annual flights, accommodation allowance, medical insurance and, free tuition for your children in the school. Read the rest of this entry »

5 Tips for Surviving International School Job Fairs

Attending international school job fairs can be a harrowing experience, but are an efficient strategy to incorporate into your hunt for a teaching job abroad. All international teachers have a few stories to tell about their experiences at these job fairs.

I was sharing job fair stories with a colleague today and I was surprised at his take on the whole process. He nearly made a choice that would have cost him the job that he is currently enjoying here in Thailand.

We were talking about the initial job fair session – the sign up. During the sign up session schools are set up with a desk in one or two rooms at the venue. Teachers then come along and sign up for interviews with the schools that interest them. Depending on which job fair you attend, this can be a real cattle market of pushing and shoving. At the very least it’s going to involve standing in line.

My colleague didn’t want to wait in any lines, so he initially approached only schools with short ones. The line for our current employer was one of the longest in the room and put him off. Finally he decided to join the line after reading some of the literature the school had with them for prospective teachers. During the 25 minute wait he nearly gave up and left several times, but didn’t. Which is just as well because the position he currently holds is one that really suits him and he’s enjoying living and working here in Thailand.

I approach the sign up session with a plan. I have several copies of my application pack already prepared and spend the time waiting in line talking to the teachers around me to get insider information on schools and positions. Read the rest of this entry »