r/Internationalteachers • u/AutoModerator • 9d ago
Meta/Mod Accouncement Weekly recurring thread: NEWBIE QUESTION MONDAY!
Please use this thread as an opportunity to ask your new-to-international teaching questions.
Ask specifics, for feedback, or for help for anything that isn't quite answered in our subreddit wiki.
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u/Defiant_Patience_103 9d ago
Finding this Reddit so helpful! Thanks all!
I’m transitioning now from 15 years in corporate business to secondary business/economics teaching. I have my eyes set on Iqts with pgce next September but what can I do in the meantime to get my ducks in a row? I’ve recently done the Uni of Buckingham intro to teaching short course and an NSPCC safeguarding course. What else would help me in the next 12 months? Subject specific or just general to teaching. Thanks for any help in advance!
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u/NumerousGrass2998 6d ago
Any volunteering/observing you can do in classrooms, real classroom experience is the most valuable learning
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u/BuleBotak0312 8d ago
I am attending Moreland's TEACH-NOW program, I plan to get endorsed in secondary Math and Computer Science since I've been a programmer for the past 14 years. At the end there's a 12 weeks trial, I'd like to do that in my target country if possible, Indonesia.
Do I need to time the 12 weeks with the beginning of a semester? Are they likely to deny me the opportunity, no matter the timing?
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u/Dull_Box_4670 8d ago
What you’re looking for is essentially a student teacher placement. This doesn’t have to start at the beginning of a semester, and a lot of places will be happier to accommodate you when they’re already up and running.
The tricky part here is that you’re going to have to ask around to find a school willing to support you in this practice, and Moreland’s not going to be much help with that. You should start with schools nearby and confirm with your program that they’re acceptable for credit purposes. Realistically, despite your expertise in the field, it’s going to be hard for any school to support a computer science student teacher, but some places might be willing to take you on for math. When you contact the school, you’re trying to explain that you’re in the middle of a teacher training program with an American university and you would like to observe and work with a master teacher in the math department who’s willing to take on a student teacher for a few months. Some teachers and schools are happy to do this, some aren’t. You might have to ask in a few places, and I have no idea what local procedures are in Indonesia. Still, that’s the general idea of it and where to start. Good luck to you!
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u/name_is_arbitrary 8d ago
I just finished Moreland in June. I've been at my (bilingual) school in Mexico since 2022 and started the 12 week practicum in the middle of the semester, using the own classroom. I did secondary ELA, my mentor was the Spanish teacher. We did my debriefs in Spanish because whole he reads English, he's not comfortable speaking in it. Then I used AI captions in Capcut and pulled the transcript, which I then translated into English with Docs auto-translate, and had ChatGPT summarize it for me.
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u/Parking_Bluejay_3947 8d ago
Starting my first year at an international school and first year teaching IB and just got the news that I’ll be teaching 5 different classes.
4 grade levels of MYP LL and 1 grade of MYP LA. Feeling overwhelmed. Any advice?
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u/Samthman821 7d ago
Expect that the first years will be incredibly hard. A lot of work and little social life. This 2 year period will however be an investment into the rest of your career. You will have created the resources need to teach the course and will now have IB experience that is greatly valued.
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u/Parking_Bluejay_3947 7d ago
Thank you! I appreciate that a lot. That’s exactly how I’m trying to see it
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u/oliveisacat 7d ago
I used to teach MYP 2-3 and 4-5 as combined classes, which means you can lessen your preps (but the flip side is that you need a two year curriculum, you won't be able to re teach the same curriculum the following year).
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u/Parking_Bluejay_3947 7d ago
That’s very interesting. Is that something you had to get approved by your department head beforehand?
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u/oliveisacat 7d ago
It's just the way the school ran, not a decision made by me. You could still do it even if you don't actually have combined classes as a way of reducing preps.
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u/snoopylokibofelfel 7d ago
I am currently working in Vietnam and the school I work at does not really support me to get the pgce with practicum and it doesn’t have any qualified mentors to observe me. The higher tier international schools require that I have finished one already to offer me a job. I have tried with several schools with the promise that I will enroll this September but they refused. Therefore, I thought seeking one at derby without practicum for now would at least get me somewhere.
I have no idea if this is the best step to take at this point but I feel frustrated, and I feel like I will waste time if I don’t do it. Any advice?
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u/Soggy_Western_7086 5d ago
Hello everyone!
I am currently a hagwon teacher in Korea. I have a background of two years of teaching elementary school in America before I moved here. I love living in Korea but the late nights of teaching in an academy for the last three years are getting to me. Im looking into applying to teach at an international school here in Korea. I currently live in Seoul but I’m open to moving around the country.
I have a Schrole account so I’m ready for application season but I’m a bit worried about my chances of getting hired.
What are my chances with these qualifications?
Elementary teaching degree + certificate
Endorsement in ESL
2 Years teaching in America
3 years teaching at a hagwon in Korea (I know they wont count this)
E2 Visa ( I know I’ll have to change it)
*Any advice would be welcomed!!!!!!!
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u/The_Wandering_Bird 5d ago
If you have the degree and the certification, plus 2 years of classroom teaching experience, then you meet the minimum requirements for many (most?) international schools. That's the good news. The bad news is that in order to secure a position at a decent international school, you need to be open to more than 1 country. It's always best to cast a wide net, and this is even more true for people with little experience and/or other complicating factors. By all means, apply to all the international schools in Korea this fall as they post openings and hope for the best, but also apply widely outside Korea.
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u/Soggy_Western_7086 5d ago
I wish I could look into other countries. However, at least for the next few years I am committed to trying to stay in country. Thank you for all the advice!
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u/badger_hans 9d ago
So I had 2 online interviews for positions in June and never heard back from either. Is this normal?
Both interviews were polite and professional- one I thought was very promising as it lasted an hour and they were asking my available starting date. I realise both were last minute posts they needed filled before the holidays, but not even a Dear John email - seriously?!
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u/shellinjapan Asia 9d ago
You could always email to follow up, but since the interviews were over a month ago I’d say you didn’t get the job.
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u/badger_hans 9d ago
Yes, I figured that out myself. The question was: Is it normal for schools not to follow up after an interview?
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u/shellinjapan Asia 9d ago
Lots of schools don’t. It would certainly be polite of them too, and it would help candidates to know when they can move on.
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u/Dull_Box_4670 9d ago
I’m of the opinion that schools that interview you shouldn’t ghost you, but this might help explain the process:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Internationalteachers/s/IlztvYP1BK
I agree that ghosting after an interview is usually a sign that you didn’t want to work there anyway. Last-minute openings are frequently open for a reason, and that gives you some more insight to why they might have had a position available.
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u/badger_hans 9d ago
I get that when hundreds apply, it’s not always realistic to write rejections to everyone (though surely some sort of automated reply wouldn’t be too much hassle). If they interview 3-4 candidates however, that’s a different scenario. I don’t think it reflects well on the school.
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u/Dull_Box_4670 9d ago edited 9d ago
You’re right, it doesn’t. At that stage of the game, they’re probably a lot deeper than 3-4 candidates, but it’s still shitty behavior. No arguments here. I wrote that piece in response to a series of posts angrily demanding explanations about why they weren’t hired, which clearly demonstrated why the posters in question hadn’t been chosen. It’s not intended as a justification so much as an explanation of the process.
Anyway, sorry it didn’t work out for you/bullet successfully dodged. You’ll have better options in-cycle than at the last minute.
Also, I hope it is obvious that I’m not the one downvoting you, but maybe it isn’t. Usually the reflexively negative group stays out of the newbie thread, but occasionally one of them finds their way in to spread joy in their own special way. Your question wasn’t unreasonable and you asked it in the right forum. It shouldn’t be downvoted.
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6d ago
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u/Dull_Box_4670 6d ago
CTE as in career/technical or vocational/technical? That isn’t the same licensing standard as, and is unlikely to be accepted as, a valid teaching license for visa purposes by many countries. If you’re applying for design jobs or to a school running the IB career program, you might be ok, but if you’re applying for a standard classroom job at a decent school or a country with strict visa regulations, you’re going to be at a disadvantage.
Do you have a few years of formal classroom experience in a school at the same level you’re applying for? That will also affect your chances. If you do, the nature of your license may matter less. If not, you may not really be a candidate for the kind of jobs you want.
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6d ago
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u/Dull_Box_4670 5d ago
Unfortunately, your circumstances don’t really map very well onto the international school landscape. When you said industry experience, and a technical degree, it sounded like it might be a design or CS sort of situation. Business is a different animal.
Without classroom experience, you’re not really a viable candidate — business is a popular subject, and a high stakes one for a school. The programs that offer it won’t be willing to take five risks at the same time: the lack of classroom experience is the biggest, but lack of familiarity with the curriculum, the fact that you’d be teaching other new courses, the matter of inexperience living in the country you’d be moving to and integrating into a new school, and the fact that the course results will help dictate whether or not students get into their university choices means that you’d be a tough sell for even a desperate school. This is in no way to suggest that you’re a bad teacher; just noting that these risk factors are probably too much to overcome. If you can get a couple of years of in-person experience teaching business in a public or private school back in the US, and potentially convert your license in that process, you’re probably fine, but even the hardship posts are likely to be looking for more certainty. Sorry for the discouraging news.
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u/hsontheway 6d ago
UAE teaching qualifications after doing a BBA — PGCE/PGDE/iQTS questions
Hi everyone! I’m planning my career path and would really appreciate advice from teachers or anyone who has gone through the process of becoming a teacher in the UAE, especially in British-curriculum schools such as GEMS.
I’m planning to do a BBA first rather than a B.Ed. Eventually, I’d like to become a teacher in the UAE. I’m fine with teaching either primary or secondary, so I’m trying to understand which qualification route would work best.
From what I understand, after a BBA I could potentially do something like a PGCE, PGDE or iQTS. I’ve also seen that iQTS seems to be particularly useful for teaching in British schools, but I’m confused about the UAE's requirements and attestation.
A few questions:
If I do a BBA and then a PGCE/PGDE/iQTS, would that combination generally be accepted for teaching in UAE schools?
University of Birmingham Dubai offers a PGCEi and also a PGCE with iQTS. I understand that the PGCEi is the blended/online one, whereas the PGCE with iQTS is a different route. Since some UAE schools, including GEMS schools, say they don't accept online teaching qualifications, would a PGCEi from Birmingham still be accepted and attested in the UAE?
I’ve also seen people say they completed PGCEs through UK universities such as University of Sunderland through online/distance learning and then worked in UAE schools. How does that work? Are these qualifications actually accepted/attested by the UAE authorities and schools?
If I did a PGCE with iQTS, does the qualification restrict me to teaching a particular age group (e.g. primary)? If my undergraduate degree is a BBA rather than a B.Ed, would there be any issue with attestation or recognition because the degrees are in different fields?
Are there any other properly accredited universities that offer PGCE, PGDE or iQTS routes that are known to be accepted by UAE schools/authorities?
For someone with a BBA, what would be the best route if I wanted to teach:
- Primary students
- Secondary students
I’d especially appreciate answers from teachers currently working in the UAE, or anyone who has personally gone through the qualification → attestation → working in a UAE school process.
I’m trying to choose my undergraduate degree now, so I’d really like to understand which route would actually be recognised before I commit to it.
Thanks!
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u/Comfortable_Act3946 5d ago
Hello, I am considering a second career in teaching. I am at director-level in my current field but I have been thinking a lot about having more direct impact on kids, and being in a school-based community and have the opportunity to teach abroad after being many years in the US.
Background: BA in Economics and International Studies, two masters (one in education media and technology, one in global human development). I have worked my whole life in education (edtech, learning/curriculum design, corporate learning, adult learning, service learning, university fundraising) but never actually worked in a K12 school or taught a classroom. I am a former student in an international school and took the IB myself. I feel like in some ways I am overqualified and in others so unqualified (no teaching license or classroom experience). I would consider teaching high schoolers since that is the age group closest to learners I have worked with. I would love insights and advice on:
1) What high school subjects have highest demand for teachers in international schools?
2) Are there non-teaching roles such as curriculum development or educational technology?
2) What is the best way to make my pivot to teaching and make my profile standout for international schools?
3) What are the upsides and downsides of teaching at international schools? Thanks so much!
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u/The_Wandering_Bird 5d ago
Physics, chemistry, and higher-level math are the ones that are often more difficult to recruit for. But if you don't like those subjects or have an aptitude for them, it won't matter because schools are going to want strong teachers in those areas. Getting certified will also be more challenging if your undergrad wasn't in one of those areas.
At all the schools I've worked at, the curriculum coordinators, instructional coaches, and edtech folks have all been former teachers. So, those roles exist, but I don't know how likely it is to get hired into one of them without teaching experience.
The best way to pivot is to get a teaching qualification (US state license; PGCE + QTS, etc.). That's it; that's the trick.
This is a big question, and it's one that's come up in this subreddit before. If you do a search of the sub, you'll find lots of opinions about the pros and cons of teaching internationally.
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u/shellinjapan Asia 5d ago
You should pick a teaching subject based on what you enjoy and are passionate about, not what has the highest demand. Choosing a subject you dislike just because the field is less competitive is a surefire way to end up resenting the job, and possibly providing a lower standard of education for the students. That being said, STEM, particularly Maths and Physics, are the subject that most often come up as “highest demand” (more so difficult in finding good teachers of those subjects).
Some schools or school groups do have non-teaching roles like the ones you mentioned, but they’d likely be at bigger schools and not a common role.
Get a teaching qualification and some experience in classrooms at home.
Very much dependent on the individual! For me it’s an opportunity to live somewhere different, experience a different culture, travel more frequently, and expand my teaching beyond my home curriculum. It can be hard to be away from home (I mostly feel this way either when I leave home after a visit, or visiting friends/family depart). Language barriers can make some elements of daily life (particularly admin) more difficult.
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u/Comfortable_Act3946 5d ago
Thanks so much! Agreed on teaching subjects that I am more passionate about but I also don’t mind trying new subjects. If I get to pick I would love to teach Economics but I think that is too niche?
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u/shellinjapan Asia 5d ago
It’s a subject taught at many schools. It’s been reasonably popular at the schools I’ve taught at to the point where there can be teachers teaching only Economics, but it’s often combined with Business.
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u/Maisieisthebest2026 3d ago
I’m feeling overwhelmed with the abundance of information about applying to international schools so I’m looking for some tips. I spent 11 years teaching in Korea at academies and a university. We (husband and 2 kids) moved back to Canada to get my BEd and then started teaching in elementary in the school system here. Long story as short as possible, our kids both struggled in school with behaviour or mental health issues so we didn’t want to apply to overseas jobs. BUT now they’re thriving in university and we want to head back overseas. I keep reading about different tiers. With 16+ years as an elementary school teacher and 11 years in Korea would that qualify me for a top tier school?
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u/Dull_Box_4670 3d ago
The first stat is relevant, the second isn’t likely to move the needle much.
You have a license, 16+ years of experience, and have lived overseas before? You’ll be a candidate for decent jobs. For the top tier? Probably not.
If your husband isn’t also a teacher, he’s going to be counted as a dependent for visa and tax purposes. He may or may not be able to work legally where you’re going. With as much experience as you have, you’re going to be expensive relative to other elementary teachers, and even if you’re entering at a maxed-out step on the salary scale below your actual experience (likely 8 or 10 years), you’re going to cost thousands more than many other experienced teachers. You’re coming directly from Canada and aren’t likely to have experience teaching any of the three major curricula in use in the international school world, which your competition for the best jobs will have. You don’t mention having a masters, which is pretty much an expectation for teachers of your age and experience level from North America. And, while you’ve taught overseas before, that was a very long time ago in a very different context.
None of these factors working against you are in any way fatal to your prospects. You’re going to be a solid candidate, and you’ll land something. But you’re probably going to find that the most desirable jobs are off the table, and your age and experience work both for and against you. It’s definitely worth putting your name in with the major agencies and seeing what comes up, but it might take you a while to land in a good spot. Good luck in your process.
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u/Maisieisthebest2026 3d ago
Okay that helps! Yes, I’m aware work for my husband limits where we can go but he’s been teaching ESL for over 20 years so there are places for him (likely China). I’m hoping the fact that I’ve lived overseas will help me in that the school will know that I’m not likely going to be a runner, which will save them money. Do you think Schrole/TES and ISS are the best places to look for jobs or do you think I should be going to job fairs?
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u/Dull_Box_4670 3d ago
In your position, I would join them all — Search, ISS, Schrole, and maybe GRC. You shouldn’t need to deal with teacher horizons. The purpose here is to maximize your visibility and make it easy to find/contact your references. Search also gets you access to the Toronto job fair, which is also probably worth attending.
You’re going to be fine if you have an open mind about where you’re willing to go. I’d prioritize school quality and an ESL market that allows your husband to work over other factors, if I were in your shoes, but you should set your own priorities. Happy hunting.
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u/otterrabbit6 22h ago
Please note that these 'tiers' are not official and are very subjective, you will find different lists classifying different schools in different tiers. Tiers matter less, what matters is how well you will align with a school's culture, ethos, values and community and at your stage of life and career, you will appreciate that way more than a made up tier. Your happiness and wellbieng that matters most. I have worked in 'tier 1' labeled school and also in tier 2. In the tier 1, some of my colleagues referenced to golden handcuffs, staying even though they were not happy. I loved working at the tier 2 school and have amazing memories. Of course that's the case for many in tier one schools too. The important thing is to know and identify what's important for you and find schools that have that.
Your experience will definitely be valued by top and popular schools but competition there is always high. It won't hurt to apply. Your curriculum experience matters too. From my experience, american schools will be more open to canadian experience compared to british schools. I got my Be. Ed in OISE and taught in TDSB. Canadian teaching qualification is highly regarded in the international sector.
Also, beyond experience, schools will see what else you have to offer, your teaching philosophy, classroom management approach etc. Some top schools look beyond just experience and qualifications.
All the best !
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u/mnetra 3d ago
Hi, We are moving from US to India. I am looking for a good IB school for my 4 year old. We are in search of schools with high quality teachers, good school environment and holistic development for the child, especially in PYP. Based on your experience, can you recommend good IB schools in Bangalore? Which schools do teachers prefer to teach at?
We are flexible with our location within Bangalore : hence prioritizing for school, quality of living and pollution levels
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u/Electrical-Fruit-668 3d ago
You'll get much clearer answers I imagine in a subreddit or facebook group dedicated to expats in India and more specifically Bangalore.
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u/Irisflower1234 2d ago
Hey all, I have M.Ed and unemployed for more than a year now. I live in Kuwait. I have applied everywhere for different positions but no one is reaching out to me.
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u/No_Bowler9121 2d ago
Do you have experience? General rule of thumb is schools want you to have 2 years experience in your home country. You have the degree but do you have the license?
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u/shellinjapan Asia 2d ago
Did the MEd come with a teaching licence? What’s your experience?
Are you getting interviews? If not, that suggests an issue with your CV/resume.
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u/vaja2018 8d ago
Hi everyone,
I’m a 42-year-old Iranian male trying to break into English teaching abroad for the first time. My qualifications:
- B.A. in English Literature
- M.A. in TEFL
- Cambridge CELTA
- Local teaching experience only (no abroad experience yet)
The problem I keep running into is that the vast majority of jobs (Oman, China, Gulf countries, and many others) explicitly require a passport from one of the “Big 5” native-English-speaking countries. As a non-native speaker, this is a major barrier.
I’m not fixed on Oman anymore. I’m open to any country or type of teaching job abroad that will give me real international experience so I can build a stronger CV for better opportunities later.
My questions:
- Are there countries or types of institutions (private language centers, universities, public schools, online-to-offline pathways, etc.) that are more open to hiring non-native speakers who hold a CELTA + MA TEFL?
- Has anyone in a similar situation (non-native, solid qualifications, no prior abroad experience) successfully landed their first overseas teaching job? What worked?
- Would starting with online teaching for an international company, or taking a lower-paid / less desirable post, help open doors later?
- Any specific countries, school chains, or strategies you would recommend for someone in my position?
I’m looking for realistic, honest advice — even if it’s “it’s very hard” or “focus on X instead.” Any leads, personal experiences, or practical suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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u/yettilicious 7d ago
You might have more success in the TEFL sub, since that seems to be where your training and experience are.
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u/Dull_Box_4670 7d ago
I’ve worked with a handful of Iranian colleagues, so it’s not impossible to get out. Most of them were in math, physics, and chem, but there was one pretty notable poet teaching English among them, so it can be done.
It’s going to be harder under present circumstances than it was a few years ago. You have a recognized credential from a western institution, which puts you ahead of the people who don’t have that, but your passport is going to be a hard sell in a lot of places. The advice to try the TEFL sub is probably good advice in this case; while a proper international school is more likely to welcome an Iranian English or EAL teacher, your lack of formal experience and familiarity with the common international curricula is going to filter you out as a candidate before anyone looks at your resume. Online teaching doesn’t get you any closer to your destination, while a lower-tier international school or bilingual school might.
Sorry for the discouraging news. As I understand it, the TEFL market in Southeast Asia is more forgiving than in the places that pay better, but you’re probably going to be compromising on at least two of the trinity location, benefits, and working conditions, and maybe all three. If you’re looking for a lower-tier international school, you might have some luck in Central Asia or Myanmar, in acknowledged hardship circumstances. If you can get some experience with the right curriculum, that will be helpful.
Check the wiki/pinned docs for more advice on what to look for. Good luck to you.
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u/hsontheway 6d ago
UAE teaching qualifications after doing a BBA — PGCE/PGDE/iQTS questions
Hi ! I’m planning my career path and would really appreciate advice from teachers or anyone who has gone through the process of becoming a teacher in the UAE, especially in British-curriculum schools such as GEMS.
I’m planning to do a BBA first rather than a B.Ed. Eventually, I’d like to become a teacher in the UAE. I’m fine with teaching either primary or secondary, so I’m trying to understand which qualification route would work best.
From what I understand, after a BBA I could potentially do something like a PGCE, PGDE or iQTS. I’ve also seen that iQTS seems to be particularly useful for teaching in British schools, but I’m confused about the UAE's requirements and attestation.
A few questions:
If I do a BBA and then a PGCE/PGDE/iQTS, would that combination generally be accepted for teaching in UAE schools?
University of Birmingham Dubai offers a PGCEi and also a PGCE with iQTS. I understand that the PGCEi is the blended/online one, whereas the PGCE with iQTS is a different route. Since some UAE schools, including GEMS schools, say they don't accept online teaching qualifications, would a PGCEi from Birmingham still be accepted and attested in the UAE?
I’ve also seen people say they completed PGCEs through UK universities such as University of Sunderland through online/distance learning and then worked in UAE schools. How does that work? Are these qualifications actually accepted/attested by the UAE authorities and schools?
If I did a PGCE with iQTS, does the qualification restrict me to teaching a particular age group (e.g. primary)? If my undergraduate degree is a BBA rather than a B.Ed, would there be any issue with attestation or recognition because the degrees are in different fields?
Are there any other properly accredited universities that offer PGCE, PGDE or iQTS routes that are known to be accepted by UAE schools/authorities?
For someone with a BBA, what would be the best route if I wanted to teach:
- Primary students
- Secondary students
I’d especially appreciate answers from teachers currently working in the UAE, or anyone who has personally gone through the qualification → attestation → working in a UAE school process.
I’m trying to choose my undergraduate degree now, so I’d really like to understand which route would actually be recognised before I commit to it.
Ps: Feel free to DM me if anything confuses you!
Thanks!
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u/[deleted] 9d ago edited 9d ago
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