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The benefits of international teaching
01-Apr-09
Those teachers who have committed their careers to teaching abroad find it is hard to understand why every teacher would not try to spend at least one term of teaching in an international school outside of their own country. The reasons for doing so are legion; and yet fewer than 2 percent of US, UK and Canadian teachers are even aware of our network of quality international schools. The practical reasons for trying to teach overseas are in themselves compelling. Outside of Western Europe, most salaries are tax free and the exchange rate these days is very favorable for the dollar. Cost of living varies enormously, but in most countries teachers can save anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 annually. At the same time, most international schools provide housing or an allowance (outside Western Europe), health care programs, travel costs, home leave and in some cases pensions. Career opportunities are also much more prominent than in national schools. All international schools conduct extensive after-school activity programs, so chances to coach sports, drama, music and special interest programs abound. More importantly, the majority of new principals in international schools come from experienced international teachers. And more professional development for those seeking to gain leadership skills is provided in the international school network than in any other school system. More importantly, teaching in an international school is far more likely to entail ideal conditions in terms of class size, the families and backgrounds of students, material and curriculum support, and collegiality practiced in a variety of ways. These schools all represent strong communities of families with common interests, and many establish a strong culture and social life that includes staff at every level. Wherever one’s career may take them, a term of teaching a culturally and ethnically diverse group of students, from a wide array of nations, forces international teachers to expand their sense of the world and their basic competencies. One cannot help but emerge a stronger teacher and a more developed individual from the overseas teaching experience. The opportunity does come with some costs. Contact with extended family members is usually reduced, and culture shock can take its toll. And you may learn fast that you want to spend your life back in your native country; but you will know why. Emotionally and psychologically you will emerge from teaching internationally a stronger and more confident person. And you will gain a network of friends that retain their connections long after they have moved on. This set of beliefs is distilled from the experience and reports of hundreds of international teachers. In the future, TIE will be bringing to its readers more testimony and information from those personally experiencing the joys of teaching abroad in an international school.
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Comments
06/07/2021 - Priya Dharshini
Great post! The best part about international school is all about the diversity. Students can get exposed to different region, ethnicity and language, helping them to understand and respect the cultural differences.
07/01/2011 - Gloriane
What a joy to find such clear thinking. Thanks for psoitng!
