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Teaching Jobs Overseas

Have you thought about teaching jobs overseas? Here is need-to-know information on international teaching jobs.

International teaching positions are available anywhere you could want to go. You can teach English overseas, join one of many teaching abroad programs...the possibilities are endless.

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One of my first international teaching jobs was in Kuwait. They actually called me for an interview in Indiana, so I didn't go to a recruitment fair.

I had really never thought about going to the Middle East, but when it was offered to me, I couldn't resist.

It was the best two years of my life. I had a ball living in the Middle East, I loved the people and the lifestyle, the school was wonderful, I made some dear friends and snagged my husband!

However, after I got married, I lost some of my benefits, so we made the decision to leave. I then went to a recruitment fair for teaching jobs overseas.

teaching jobs oversease

I took a job in Israel and signed a two-year contract. I only stayed for one. There were many differences I just was not prepared for after living in the Gulf, so I broke my contract (and probably blacklisted myself from teaching jobs overseas again for at least a while!).

However, I am so glad I had these international teaching jobs. I gained a depth of understanding of my students, other cultures, political issues, history and geography that I would not have otherwise.

If I could go back overseas now, I would in an instant. If you are in a place in your life where you can take on these types of world travel jobs, by all means do it.

How about international teaching jobs in Japan? Get the straight story on getting a teaching position in this exotic country from How To Teach English in Japan.

Have you taught overseas? Share your story with Primary Education Oasis fans at World Travel Jobs and Experiences.

i-to-i is a world leader in TEFL courses and jobs abroad. Why is it so good? It gives people like you the opportunity to do something completely different with their lives, just like I did. If you are wanting to teach overseas or need more training before going, you need i-to-i Travel.

Just wondering about it? You can click for a free i-to-i brochure request.

Placement Services and International Teaching Job Fairs

i-to-i Travel - TEFL certification, placement services and volunteer teaching opportunities galore (Zanzibar, India, Goa, Uganda, Japan...)
Search Associates - recruitment fairs
TIE:I would highly recommend subscribing to the TIE newspaper - it is a wealth of information
Transitions Abroad
University of Northern Iowa Overseas Placement Service
International Schools Services - job fair - placement services/recruitment fairs
Guardian Jobs: from The Guardian newspaper in the U.K. - hundreds of international jobs posted here.

Before You Sign On for International Teaching Jobs

Before you sign on for any international teaching opportunities, be sure to think through the items below:

international english teaching jobs

Benefits of Teaching Jobs Overseas

Multiple opportunities: 900+ American, British and International schools

Tax-free salaries (most locations)

Smaller class sizes

International experience - experience the world!

Annual International Teaching Conferences in exotic locations

Multicultural student body

Complete immersion in another language and culture

Hash House Harriers

Expats galore - be with other people who love the international experience

Housing or housing allowance is provided (some better than others)

Pension funds

Annual or semi-annual home leave

Travel and relocation allowance

Consider This

If you don't love it, you may be stuck for the year or have to pay your own way home

Cultural differences can be difficult - be prepared to blend in to the culture you are going to

All housing is not the same - know before you go what you are getting into

You must be a creative teacher - needs and curriculum are very diverse

Your friends will be your fellow teachers (you need to be able to "play well" with others)

Be prepared to leave the country immediately if war breaks out or acts of terrorism threaten your school

Never, ever give your passport to the school. You might not be able to get it back when you need it

Know where your embassy is and register there

Many schools do not run like American schools, even though they may say "American"

If you go through an organization to find teaching jobs overseas, be aware that there may be fees the school who hires you will have to pay. If you don't honor your contract, you will have to pay. So be sure before you accept any position (either verbally or in writing)

Singles and teachers with teaching spouses generally have more opportunities (although I was hired with a non-teaching spouse)

You won't have a union to turn to - you're on your own

Degrees and Necessary Experience

There are three main types of teaching jobs overseas:

Teaching English

K-12 Teaching

University Level Teaching

Go to the University of Michigan International Center for more information - a terrific resource.

What You Need at the Minimum

Bachelor's Degree

Masters Degree is even better (although I worked on mine whilst in Kuwait)

At least one year of successful teaching experience, but some schools require 3 or more

Have some strong references to back you up

Be able to show how you use the latest teaching models/modalites - they will ask!

Helpful: willingness and experience to do extra-curricular activities is a must for teaching jobs overseas

There are international online teaching positions that you could look into as well. One site to look at is Best Online Schools. If you are interested in teaching online, you can complete your information/resume and it will be loaded onto their server for employers to view.

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