The best locations for International teaching jobs in 2020.

Posted 11 Jan 2020, by Alexandra Plummer

The world is your oyster when it comes to international teaching jobs, nowadays. Relocation is easier than it’s ever been and international schools are not going anywhere soon, meaning the demand for teachers in a growing number of countries around the world is constantly increasing. Despite the opportunity, it can be a challenge sorting through the endless options and possibilities.

Searching for international teaching jobs by location

We have done the hard work for you, and selected the three best locations for international teaching jobs in 2020. We have decided on countries that offer a combination of great schools and those which offer a good quality of life. Deciding on location is just one part of the job search process, so we have also shared with you specific reputable international schools Teacherhorizons are partnered with, too.

According to our large community of teachers some criteria remains popular in choosing where to live and work as an international teacher:

Salary
Experience and professional progression as a teacher
Types of teaching opportunities
Safety
Interesting culture

International teaching jobs by country

Our top 3 locations for international school teaching jobs.

All of the following places enable you to have good options to save, enable you to grow as a teacher, offer an exciting new culture and have various options in terms of type of opportunities and experience needed.

China

Why has China made our list for top international teaching jobs?

There are international schools in every major city in China. First and foremost it is a fascinating country, it boasts a wealth of diversity and a rich history. The most known and major cities, known as the “big three” are Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. These cities also have the largest expat communities and enable teachers to find familiar comforts they would at home in terms of international food and shopping options. Don’t be put off from the smaller towns though-this is where you will really get to dive into regional diversity more and learn about their rich cultural heritage. If you opt for the South of China you will be greeted with a pleasant, tropical climate. If colder climes are more your thing head north for some cool and dry.

Read about International teaching jobs in China from a teacher of ours!

Salary packages for international teaching jobs in China

Your saving potential is great in China. There is a vast range of salary offered depending on your experience and the type of school. The average pay is about 2,200 USD per month at the low end for an international teacher. What qualifications and experience you have definitely determine how much this ranges in China.

Expectations & Requirements for international teaching jobs in China.

A common question is “Do I need a Teaching Licence for international teaching in China?” and for international teaching jobs this is the case. A Bachelor’s degree in the subject you will teach is required and a teaching certification like a PGCE, licence or equivalent depending on where you studied. Teaching experience relevant to the subject will teach is expected. Due to the visa regulations 2 years prior experience is required.

Things to consider when searching for international teaching jobs in China

Public healthcare is available in China, although the quality is variable. Most expats choose to use private health insurance. Many international schools offer private health insurance as part of their benefits package. There can be heavy pollution in some cities but do your research. Our advisors know China well and will be able chat to you about this and help you find the best placeome locations might not be as bad as we tend to think as outsiders.

Teacherhorizons endorsed and visited n China:

The British School Guangzhou

Beijing International School

The United Arab Emirates – Dubai.

Why has Dubai made our list for top international teaching jobs?

Dubai is an illustrious city that remains in our list of top locations to teach in. Teachers in our community choose Dubai time and time again for many reasons. The modern lifestyle, no tax on teacher salaries and a wealth of activities outside of the classroom are leading reasons that set it apart from other places.

Dubai is a melting pot of diverse food, culture and people. While the architecture is state-of-the-art, so are other aspects of the city. Known as a business Mecca, it is innovative across domains including its schools and curriculum. Outside of school, teachers can head to the beach, do plenty of the outdoor activities, if that’s your thing, or even head out for some desert activities like camel riding.

Salary packages for international teaching jobs in Dubai

Dubai offers lucrative salary packages to match their high quality international schools. They pay well for good teachers and put value in offering exceptional services in their schools. Of course, like anywhere, quality can vary but Dubai has many in of a high rank. The salary is around $2,400-$4,000 per month.

Expectations & requirements for international teaching jobs in Dubai.

Whatever curriculum you are trained in you will be able to find in Dubai. American, British and IB curriculum are widely taught. All teachers need a teaching qualification and must teach in the subject they are trained in. Usually two years experience is required.

Things to consider when searching for international teaching jobs in Dubai

It is considered illegal to live together unmarried in Dubai, so take this into consideration if you are making the move with your partner. Our advisors will also be able to share their experiences in this matter with you.

Teacherhorizons endorsed and visited schools in Dubai:

Universal American School

Uptown school

Japan

Why has Japan made our list for top international teaching jobs?

Japan is on many people’s bucket list. It is the kind of country that is so unique that going there and experiencing it for yourself is the only way to fully know it, and even then it takes time to get below the surface. Living and working there allows you to immerse yourself in the country, in ways that you cannot do on a short trip. You will discover Japan’s rich history, beautiful scenery and of course, it’s delectable food.

Salary packages for international teaching jobs in Japan

Salary packages for international teaching jobs in Japan start at around 2, 400USD per month in international schools. Benefits are usually pretty good though and many offer housing and cover your relocation costs.

Expectations & Requirements for international teaching jobs in Japan

Most international schools in Japan require two years of teaching experience on top of a Bachelors degree and a teaching licence / PGCE. An additional requirement is the Japanese Alien Registration card along which you get alongside your working visa. The curriculum used is usually either American, British or the International Baccalaureate.

Things to consider when searching for international teaching jobs in Japan

As the culture is very unique and might be far from what you are used to, research etiquette and cultural norms before going to get an idea of some of their customs. The rest you will pick up as you go along, be patient and practice respect first and foremost. The language is incredibly complex with three different alphabets. To scratch the surface you could practice some Katakana before you arrive which is used for foreign words so you can spell your name, and read simple English words on menus. Kanji will take you significantly longer with 2’000 characters!

Teacherhorizons endorsed schools in Japan:

Nagoya International School

Montessori School of Tokyo

Why teacher horizons is the best place to start finding international school teaching jobs.

Our community of teachers get access to hundreds of teaching opportunities in some of the best schools and most exciting countries around the world. We understand balancing your regular life while finding your next job can be hard. Teacherhorizons can help take the chore out of the international school job search by making it simple, transparent, exciting and importantly so… you can Join free!

Written by Alexandra Plummer

Are you ready to teach abroad in 2020?

Posted 4 Jan 2020, by Alexandra Plummer

Are you ready to teach abroad?

A new year often calls for change. And what screams change more than moving country and putting your teaching experience to the test in a new environment? Change can be daunting though, provoking those deep fears and doubts. We are here to turn those fears into excitement. Drawing on the wealth of knowledge our community has, we know what you need to feel confident and prepared for teaching overseas as an international teacher.

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There is more to international teaching abroad than just picking the country alone. Maybe you are asking yourself “what qualifications do I need to teach abroad?” or questioning pay scales & benefits that schools can offer you depending on your experience.

We post opportunities ranging from new teachers to experienced teachers. Whether it is your first foray into international teaching or you are a true veteran, we have you covered. Sign up here.

Why teach abroad?

From country to quality, International schools can be very different from one another so getting clear on what you want in terms of your international teaching career is crucial.

Read some stories from our happy teachers placed around the world

1. There is a high demand for international teachers

As the number of international schools continues to grow so does the need for international school teachers, and thus international school teaching jobs. This growth doesn’t look to change anytime soon and research suggests that it won’t stagnate anytime soon. According to research from ISC Research there are over 10,000 english medium international schools globally, with 5.6 million students enrolled and 503,000 full time staff employed! *2019 figures

2. There is a growing need for quality teachers with relevant experience

Chances are if you are an international teacher you have put in the hard work to get here. Now’s your chance to reap the benefits. Moving abroad is a way to use your valuable experience that you spent great energy retaining and follow the demand! There is a high demand for teachings overseas, especially qualified ones. Do you have experience in a specific curriculum, like IB experience? even better!

3. Teaching abroad is a rewarding job

Whilst the teaching community will all agree that being a teacher is hard work, it can also be incredibly rewarding. While you may have your patience tested, or have to give up some home comforts you are also faced with new experiences, diversity and the opportunity to shape st harley-davidson-56R8TzG7Lzc-unsplash udents lives.

There is a general air of motivation among teachers to live a successful and happy expat life and while this can look different from person to person, career progression, salary, travel and culture all contribute to a well rounded teaching life. Tolerance and curiosity is required, but expanding your horizons is the reward.

I have the qualifications and the will to relocate, now what?

Research International teaching opportunities.

Find out the curriculum and necessary qualifications.

Be aware that some schools require you to teach in the subject your trained in. Also some international schools require teachers to be experienced in their specific curriculum. Overall minimum requirements for teaching internationally is usually:

2 years + experience,
A teaching Licence
Masters in Education.

There are exceptions though which is why doing specific research by school is advised.

Find out the perks and benefits of teaching overseas.

Teaching internationally is full of perks. They may include practical elements such as housing allowing, a relocation package, and a flight to and from your home country at the beginning and the end of your contract to name a few. Another benefit is the opportunity to explore a new country. Maybe your school also enables you to thrive in your career by offering Personal Development. This one is definitely a perk for dedicated teachers with a thrist for continueal learning. Some schools offer a Professional Development (PD) allowance so that you can continue to grow in an area that is of personal interest to you.

Align your motivations with your research.

What has your yearning for pastures new? What do you require in building a career as an international teacher? Having this worked out will help you when navigating the vast seas of international teaching jobs. You will have to gain a good idea of what you are willing to be flexible on and what you absolutely won’t budge on. Consider what countries are of interest and reflect on why you have ruled some out. Preparing for teaching abroad requires a lot of question asking and bravery but will enrich your career and your life.

Put it all into action.

Start researching prospective international schools in the spring or during the summer a year before you plan on moving.
Have a good cover letter, update your CV, and setup an online teaching portfolio. You can do all this as part of your profile with teacherhorizons.
Don’t get your hopes up too much when you are job searching for a position at an international school. It can be a challenge to stand out and be at the top of the list when you are first starting out in this community.
Read our post on three mistakes to avoid during your job search.

Are you an international teacher? Do you have hints and tips on teaching abroad? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us and share your knowledge and views with the community of our readers!

If you are inspired to teach overseas, we have made it really simple for you. Just sign up here and you are on your way to your new job!

Written by Alexandra Plummer

What benefits do teachers get teaching abroad in 2020?

Posted 21 Dec 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

It’s coming to the end of the year, a time for reflection. Even though it is still the midst of school year for some, it might be time to consider your next contract teaching overseas. Looking to boost your salary in 2020? We have you covered with up-to-date information on international teacher salaries and other benefits.

The cost of living when teaching abroad

The cost of living as a teacher abroad varies hugely by country. Not all countries offer high salaries, but that doesn’t mean your potential to save is lost. In fact, it can be quite the contrary. In many countries the cost of living is substantially lower but the benefits you get with an international teacher package will mean that you have opportunities to save. For example, the Middle East and China offer tax-free salaries and substantial other benefits which we have outlined.

Salary benefits for international teachers

International school packages vary greatly, but most offer considerable benefits beyond just the basic teaching salary. Health insurance, relocation allowance, and accommodation are just some of the ways in which international teacher packages can support you living abroad beyond your basic salary. Moving overseas with your family? Some international salary packages also provide an allowance for your spouse, language lessons, pension schemes and a bonus on completion of your contract.

It’s useful to make a table with the average outgoings of your desired country. Once you have a good idea of general averages from rent, food and travel costs you can start to see where your money stretches. www.numbeo.com is a really good resource for this.

Free places for international teachers’ children

A number of international schools do provide free education for your children. However, the majority do not. Most provide a substantial discount between 50% and 90% of the fees. Some offer no discount at all although this is uncommon.

Look on the ‘Salary & Benefits’ section on a school’s profile page to find out if an employee’s child’s education is included in the package. You will have to be a member of Teacherhorizons to access these pages – Join for free!

Free health insurance for international teachers

Broadly speaking, this is true in countries where the local state health care is inadequate. However, international schools in countries with good healthcare systems are unlikely to provide you with completely free healthcare insurance. Remember to check the ‘Salary & Benefits’ section of a school’s profile page for information on opportunities package.

Free Relocation for international teachers

Many international schools will offer some kind of flight allowance. This could be at the begin and end of your contract, yearly or a monetary amount to be used on flights when you wish. A relocation allowance can also be included in an international teaching package. This is an amount of money that is given to help with the initial costs of moving to another country, which soon add up if you have to kit out a kitchen or house.

Free accomodation for for international teachers

Lots of international schools offer their teachers free or cheap accommodation. Often all the teachers will live in the same building in individual flats or apartments and sometimes these will be on or close to the school campus. Some international schools do not include accommodation in their international school teacher’s package but are open to helping you find accommodation and advising on good locations, estate agents and the expected cost of rent.

Paying tax when teaching abroad

This varies country by country but you will most likely pay local taxes in most countries. There are, however, a number of countries that do offer tax-free salaries for foreign residents, many of them, but not exclusively, are in the Middle East.

Although not the most exciting task, doing your research on country-specific pension and tax allowances will be worth it. If you are from the UK you are no longer required to pay National Insurance contributions but this can ultimately alter your state pension in the long run. Outside Europe, it will be up to you to contribute on a voluntary basis. For details on pensions and taxes, your government website should provide links to comprehensive resources for people who live and work abroad. For UK citizens, this is a helpful resource. In regards to taxes, your best bet is to specifically research the country you are considering as each place has different rules in place.

Many schools located in countries with weak currencies pay part of the salary in the local currency (which acts as spending money) and part of the salary in an internationally recognised currency such as the US Dollar, Euro or British Pound. This will mean that you should return home with more savings than you would have done if working at home.

As there is so much to cover about salaries and benefits why don’t you have a look at some of our other posts on the subject? You can search or browse similar blogs directly on the right hand side of our blog page! Just pop in a subject, we have also written on salaries & benefits such as this one, for example.

To view our current opportunities and the benefits and salaries for each, just sign up in 3 simple steps – Sign up, add your CV and become an endorsed teacher today!

Written by Alexandra Plummer

Our 2019 school visits Christmas round-up!

Posted 14 Dec 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

Visiting schools is a vital part of the Teacherhorizons process, and key in helping teachers find international teaching jobs. Our team at Teacherhorizons have a thorough understanding of what makes a school desirable from a teacher’s perspective. All year we travel to our schools and check in with the quality and environment of the place often so that we can share this wealth of information with you. This Christmas we are sharing this gift with you. We know how useful our site visits are for teachers in making decisions about international schools jobs.

Thinking of teaching around the world? We visit the schools for you so you have even more information to help you in your international teaching job search. Below, we have listed 4 international schools we were lucky to have visited in 2019.

1. International School of Cape Town

Earlier this year Jo visited the International School of Cape Town. The journey took her through the beautiful, mountainous, coastal scenery and landed her in the foothills of Table Mountain.

Highlights:

The setting and location is really great.
The principal is very friendly.
As there are just 510 students, it has a homely and close-knit community feel to it, making it a desirable for many international teachers.

Looking for an international school job? You must be signed in to apply to any of our vacancies, so set up a profile here.

2. Fairgreen International School, Dubai

Fairgreen International School is a very small school. There are only 380 kids but the campus has a capacity for 1000 so there are definitely opportunities for growth.

It is situated on a brand new campus which will focus on innovation and sustainability. The building is also a pioneering architectural design concept. Located in Dubai Sustainable City – a very unique location. It also prides itself as a Plastic free campus!

Highlights:

The Headteacher is lovely and takes a strong interest in the personal and professional development of the staff.
There was a strong ethic of care with a great focus on sustainability
A collegial atmosphere with great students in a highly unique location.

Have a read of our Happy Teacher Archives, for happy teachers in our happy schools. We cover teaching overseas in Europe and other locations.

3. The Green School, Bali

The Green School, Bali, is an example of a school that is innovative, creative; they are quite literally taking the walls of education down! In terms of teachers overseas jobs this is a leading one.

Emily, who has visited the school both in 2017 and again more recently in 2019 says: “Not only is the school set in a stunning location, it also offers a forward-thinking, holistic approach to education that enables students to grow and develop into environmentally responsible and community minded individuals.”

Highlights:

The tranquil, lush surroundings of the school make a great environment for learning. The emphasis put on community, creativity, individuality, expression, innovation and growth can surely only lead to success for all involved.
The school’s desire to instill environmental and social responsibility in their students. In order to achieve this, they use a very holistic and student guided approach to learning, which they feel inspires and empowers each child to be a ‘green leader’.

Keep an eye out for more blogs like this one in the future and have a look back over some of our past school visits, too.

4. Western Academy of Beijing

The school is located in the Chaoyang District of Beijing which is one of the largest districts, but the school itself is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main city. The school has an amazing campus and it is incredibly well-resourced. There is a river that runs through the campus and to get from one part of the school to the other, you have to walk over a huge bridge which has a fantastic view. The school was founded in 1994 and has over 1,500 students.

Highlights:

Despite the size of the campus, it still has a friendly feel.
There is an air purification system in the whole school (every class, gym, auditorium, offices, corridors etc) that keep the indoor air very clean and purified.
There are also tranquil areas such as the Chinese Garden, Secret Garden, Peace Park and Duck Lake.

We have over 2000 schools in over 160 countries, so it might take us a while to get around them all, but we endeavour to! We visit new schools every month, for those looking to teach around the world this is a valuable resource.

For the chance to teach abroad in an inspirational school, sign up here. Do you work at another amazing international school which deserves a mention in our blog? Get in touch with editor@teacherhorizons.com to discuss your school with us!

Written by Alexandra Plummer

5 Attributes of an Outstanding School

Posted 7 Dec 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

What makes a school really great? At Teacherhorizons we have been discussing some of the key factors that make schools outstanding. One thing that rings true for us all is that stand-out schools are those that blow you away with the difference they are making to future generations. Luckily these schools are looking for new teachers each year, too!

Here is our pick of the top attributes and the schools we feel exemplify this attribute. Our Top 5 factors that make a school great in 2019 are as follows:

A forward thinking Education Model
Breaking the traditional western economic model
The location
Global and inclusive
Innovative and sustainably driven

A Forward thinking Educational Model. United World Colleges.

Our Advisor, Joana, has voted for United World Colleges as being a prime example of an outstanding education model. Not bound by a particular location, United World Colleges, are located all around the world. A fabulous and forward-thinking educational model that values equality, diversity, compassion, environment etc. Read more here: https://www.uwc.org/educationalmodel. Get this school on your CV and you’ll grow enormously as an educator and will have no problem securing opportunities in the future. UWC educators are highly sought-after!

Breaking the traditional western economic model. The Green School, Bali.

As well as UWC, any school that is breaking the traditional western economic model of what education should look and feel like is key to us. The world recognises that the current model needs to change. Few schools are brave enough to do something about it! We are so lucky to be graced with working with some of these. As Joana states, “The Green School, Bali, is an example of a school trying to be innovative, creative; they are quite literally taking the walls of education down!” Emily, who has visited the school a couple of times says: “Not only is the school set in a stunning location, it also offers a forward-thinking, holistic approach to education that enables students to grow and develop into environmentally responsible and community minded individuals.”

Location. St Julian’s School Lisbon

Especially for teachers looking for an outstanding place to work, location is a key attribute of a great
school. Our CEO, Alex recommends St Julian’s in Lisbon – “it’s a well established school with strong leadership and Lisbon’s the best city to live in the world and sunniest capital in Europe. It’s also by Carcavelos beach so some students can learn to surf in PE.” What’s not to like about that?

Global & Inclusive. UWCSEA

This might seem like no-brainer for an attribute of a great international school. Isn’t it by default? However, having students from allover and enabling this to be so through great scholarships is a key attribute in our eyes. Our CEO Alex says that “a great school is UWCSEA because it has students from all over the world and offers an incredible scholarship program.”

Innovative and sustainably driven. Fairgreen School in Dubai

Our advisor, Laura, especially likes Fairgreen School in Dubai for the following reasons:

1) It is a very small school at present only 380 kids but the campus has a capacity for 1000 so there are growth opportunities.

2) Brand new campus which will focus on innovation and sustainability. The building is also a pioneering architectural design concept. Located in Dubai Sustainable City – a very unique location. It also is a Plastic free campus

3) Facilities are top quality – wood throughout, no plastic – all the usual state of the art classrooms etc but also research and food production labs, a library and learning hub, and arts and music labs, sports facilities

4) Students have access to an Innovation Centre, Junior Innovation Centre, Equestrian Centre, and biking and jogging tracks. One of The Sustainable City’s spacious bio-domes is dedicated to the school and will serve as its Health, Wellness, and Learning Centre.

5) Head is lovely, he was at IS Hague for 7 years and IS Bangkok, very personable and takes a strong interest in personal and professional development of staff.

We just had so many factors and schools come to mind that here are a couple of bonus ones!

In terms of sustainability UN schools are also leading. The UNIS school in Hanoi – a UN school is really impressive.

Warwick Academy – Warwick Academy is the oldest school in Bermuda, established in 1662. As the leading school in Bermuda they offer a dynamic programme covering academic study, sport, music, drama, extensive co-curriculars and community infusion. They are a selective, co-educational, independent school with a strong pastoral and curricular emphasis and their 830 students range from those in Reception through to Year 13.

The Koc School – the school’s results last year were the best they’ve ever been. See here. They had a full 45 points scored in the IB with several others between 40-45 and the university placements include many ‘Ivy League’ successes. It remains one of the best schools to teach in for the calibre of students!

Inspired by this list? We always partner with reputable schools and you can See a list of all Teacherhorizons schools. Why not sign up to Teacherhorizons, while you are at it. Let’s keep this community of supporting great schools alive!

Written by Alexandra Plummer

Ask the Expert: Meet Laurence

Posted 30 Nov 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

Continuing our new series of Ask the Expert posts, we chat with the Teacherhorizons team who share their valuable insight into the world of international teaching. Teacherhorizons staff are often teachers themselves, so they’ve been in your shoes. This week I chatted with Laurence Dobson, Teacherhorizons Operations Assistant about travel, international schools and his love of coaching football to Cambodian youth.

Meet Laurence!

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Laurence has been living in Siem Reap, Cambodia over the last two years and has previously taught at an international school. His partner is a qualified international school teacher, which along with his own experiences, has given him a broad understanding of the challenges and rewards of living and working internationally.

Thinking of being an International School Teacher? Here are 8 reasons to do so!

Aside from work, he would describe himself as a sporty person. Laurence has a passion for football and on his 14th birthday he had a trial for Chelsea FC, and as it would be for anyone, this was a very big achievement! He has been coaching football for Cambodian children over the past year, organising matches and tournaments with other teams. He is also very keen on a variety of different genres of music and has regularly made the trip back to England to attend Glastonbury music festival.

What does your role at TH involve?

My role involves assisting candidates with general enquiries about the recruitment process and international teaching, editing teacher and school profile pages, reviewing CVs, updating or requesting references and a lot more! I also manage TH social media which includes scheduling all content, posting vacancies daily, building our Instagram and keeping track of post reach and engagement levels.

How did you end up living where you are now? What’s your journey?

Before I fell in love with Cambodia, I was living in Tignes, France doing winter seasons in the Alps. I was at home for summer in 2016 when I met my partner at the Glastonbury festival who had already been teaching in Cambodia for 1 year. I made a big decision and moved to Cambodia with her after only knowing her for a short few months. After I had a couple of weeks to settle, I secured a teaching position at an international school in Siem Reap. We stayed in Cambodia for 2 years but my partner and I started to get itchy feet and decided to move to Hanoi, Vietnam. For the first week in Hanoi, we thoroughly enjoyed it but after a couple of months we started to realise that big city life was not the best option for us and we both agreed to move back to Cambodia. After we made our decision to move to Cambodia, I saw a Teacherhorizons position posted on the Siem Reap Expats page and because I already knew a lot about international teaching I thought I would fit the role, and well, the rest is history!

What inspires you?

15056251_10154693758516407_3349942571986420665_n Seeing successful people that have truly worked hard to be in the position that they are in. The children that I used to teach, also inspire me a great deal. The fact that I was able to see how much they progressed from the start of the year to the end and knowing that I have been the one to help them make that progress is wonderful to witness. My partner also inspires me massively! She is always positive, even in difficult situations.

What advice would share with Teacherhorizons candidates looking to start or continue a life abroad?

I think it is important to look at each school on an individual basis. Make sure to complete some thorough research into the position and location you are interested in before applying. Consider what your interests are and look for places and people that reflect those interests. Does it feel like a natural place to make new friends? In Cambodia, for example, I’ve made new friends by watching football at bars and playing it at the local pitches.

In addition, think being open-minded about going to new places is very important to enjoy your new home. You may discover a place that you enjoy alot more than you thought!

Could you share a story with us that has been transformative for you?

15085488_10154693757991407_5932268768585641068_n After living in Cambodia for a few years, I started to feel like I was getting bored of it and wanted a fresh start so I moved to Vietnam which seemed like the right idea at the time. As it turned out, Vietnam was not as well suited to me as I originally thought so I ended up seeing out my 3-month visa but towards the end, I was thinking more and more about life in Cambodia and how much I missed it. I decided to move back to Cambodia, I haven’t looked back. I see this as a lesson because if I had never moved to away from Cambodia, I would never have known how much I appreciate it. You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone!

Are you adventurous about teaching in Asia? Browse our Schools in Asia.

What else do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, my biggest passion is football, I play twice a week and watch the premier league every weekend. In 2018 I was coaching football for Cambodian children and organising matches and tournaments with other teams. I also enjoy travelling with my partner. In the past 3 years, we have been to Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. We also travelled to the United States for a month which was incredible. New York and Las Vegas were the highlights!

Thank you Laurence, for sharing your insights with us and inspiring us to get traveling more, and do more sport!

Has this post inspired you to teach internationally? Sign up to Teacherhorizons to see school profiles and salary packages– it’s free! You can also reach out to us with any comments at editor@teacherhorizons.com

Written by Alexandra Plummer

3 ways technology & VR can enhance your life abroad

Posted 23 Nov 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

Teachers living and working abroad can benefit from the use of technology. Moving to a different country to teach is a challenging process. Whether you speak the language or not, adapting to a new culture, surroundings and students can be difficult. Utilising technology in this situation, however, can make the adaptation process smoother.

Technology is gradually taking a more prominent role in education. Whether it’s the use of ebooks, online resources or even virtual reality (VR), introducing technology into students’ education can improve engagement and accessibility in a number of ways.

This week, Calum from Loxit Limited will talk you through a few ways technology and VR can improve the experience for teachers working abroad. Read on to find out three ways that technology can support you when living abroad.

Help with the language

andrew-neel-ute2XAFQU2I-unsplash If a teacher is teaching foreign students their own language, or if a teacher isn’t fully lingual with the students’ local language, then technology can help with this in a number of ways.

First of all, an effective way of learning a new language is through language immersion. This is where the students or teacher would listen and speak the language they are trying to learn all day, every day, usually in the country of origin.

This is easier for the teacher to do as they are in a new environment and are forced to use the new language in order to communicate. For the students, however, this can be more difficult, as they are still in their local environment. Even speaking with each other in their first language can hinder their learning of the new language.

Virtual reality can allow teachers to immerse students into the language they are trying to teach. If an English speaking teacher is teaching Chinese students, VR headsets can be used to take a virtual trip to London, which would otherwise be expensive and difficult to do. These simulations can trick the brain into thinking the experiences are real, improving how the students process information and learn the new language.

There are also numerous translation and language apps which can assist someone who is teaching abroad, such as Google Translate and iTranslate. These can be used quickly and easily if the teacher is struggling to communicate with students.

Collaboration and communication

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The use of Virtual Reality in classrooms can improve the collaboration between students and teacher, and even between classes from different sides of the world from one another.

Part of the great things about a teacher moving to a new country to teach students is experiencing a new culture and experience. Quite often, the teacher learns just as much from the students. Technology and VR can enable teachers to return the favour.

javier-quesada-qYfwGVNJqSA-unsplash Using Virtual Reality, teachers can design and use collaborative activities to introduce students from different countries to one another. Students can then experience a new language and culture first-hand, just as the teachers working abroad did. This can create a closer bond and understanding between the international teacher and students, as the students can relate to, and respect, the changes the teacher has been willing to make to teach them.

Technology and VR can also help with collaboration inside the classroom, between teacher and student. If there is a language barrier between the two, then technology can use visualisation and images as an alternative to verbal communication.

Read about innovative ways to use technology in the classroom, here.

Reduce homesickness

joshua-sukoff-CVqLWJyEs3s-unsplash Moving abroad to teach is an exciting and eyeopening experience. Teachers get to encounter interesting new people and cultures. However, it can also be a very daunting experience. No matter where they go or how much they’ll enjoy their experience of teaching abroad, it is inevitable that sometimes they will get homesick.

Years ago, before technology was so efficient and accessible, it would have been difficult keeping in touch with friends and family back home, or even just keeping up to date with the news.

Eventually, if a teacher working abroad is homesick and feels excluded from their home, this can have an adverse effect on personal wellbeing and ultimately, their work. We’re big believers that a happy teacher is a better one. A big part of teaching is the human element rather than educating, and if the teacher is able to form a positive bond and relationship with their students, this can improve the effectiveness of their work.

Nowadays teachers working abroad have better access to wifi, there’s also facetime, skype and numerous ways they can get in touch with home, quickly, easily and cheaply. These things may seem minor nowadays however without them teaching abroad would be much more difficult. A quick catch up with a friend or relative can go a long way in relaxing and reassuring a teacher who is working abroad. This can encourage them to enjoy the experience as well as their work. The students will no doubt benefit from this too.
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Callum works for Loxit and has a strong interest in the use of technology in education, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. He believes bringing technology into the classroom can enhance the learning experience for both teachers and students. Technology is a major factor in students’ lives, so utilising this can improve engagement and accessibility.

Did this article resonate with you? Please let us know your comments at editor@teacherhorizons.com

Written by Alexandra Plummer

What is it like to live and teach in Beijing, China?

Posted 16 Nov 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

China is a large and diverse place so asking the question “what is it like to live & teach in Beijing, China?” isn’t so simple to answer! That’s why we called on our teacher, Oscar to share his experiences first hand. Oscar, from Portugal, happily agreed to share his experience of Beijing with us. Read on to find out all about the process of moving to Beijing, including both the frustrations and the joys of what it is like to teach and live in Beijing, China.

Meet Oscar

Oscar

My name is Oscar. I’m from Portugal and I hold a Masters in Science Education. I have lived and worked in Croatia (Zagreb), the United Kingdom (London) and Czech Republic (Brno). China (Beijing) is now my new home and would like to share with you my experience before the move and during the past three months.

Before the move…

Man in China

Start preparing your move with time and get ready to face all kind of problems in order to obtain a Visa. This is a demotivating period. Even with the incredible support offered by the HR in my school it was a nightmare to obtain the Working permit. Aside all the paperwork required for the VISA, I also had to go over the process of obtaining an International police check and an External background check. I started dealing all of this in January and only in July I obtained the necessary stamp on my passport. I strongly do not recommend anyone coming to China on a Tourist Visa.

Know little information about Beijing? Check out our fact page to learn more

Once in China…

In China there are endless places to visit to experience authentic Chinese culture, it is also an opportunity to travel to different locations in Asia and try the amazing food on offer. Beijing’s Peking duck is a must and the most famous, but you’ll be able to experience amazing plates from all regions of China and Asia in general. Western food is also available, but you’ll have to pay extra for it…

Currently, China is developing at an incredible rate, not only in terms of infrastructures but also technologically. The moment you get access to Wechat or Alipay your life changes completely. You do not need to carry your wallet, seriously, you just need your phone and a Powerbank. From your phone you get instant deliveries (goods, groceries, foods, etc) in a very short time. Didis (similar to Uber), bicycles, electrical scooters can all be accessed from your phone. Even transfers to friends can be done with a simple click. It is incredibly handy and makes your life incredibly easy. The only downside is, you need to be able to control your spends otherwise it might get dangerous…

Exploring Asia

Travelling in China is also incredible. You can get from Beijing to Shanghai in less than 5 hours on the bullet train without paying much for it. The moment you get your first salary, book all your holidays. If you wait it can be very expensive to travel, especially during national holidays (Golden week in October and Chinese New Year in February). I strongly do not recommend travelling within China during this holiday, at risk of facing Millions of tourists. Also, some touristic points are closed during this time (e.g. Forbidden City). For more information and guidance about travelling in China I found this blog extremely useful. In here you’ also find valuable tips on weather, people, VPN’s, etc…

Read one of our previous blog posts on China!

The School…

In Beijing, China

YCIS Beijing is a fantastic school. Thanks to Teacherhorizons, I found this opportunity to teach International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, in my opinion the most complete and challenging pre-university course. I am working in a real international environment, surrounded by teachers and students from all over the world, with different backgrounds and ideas, purpose-built, innovative learning spaces (e.g. Learning Community, fully equipped labs, etc…). It’s also in a convenient downtown location. We had a great teacher orientation week. I’ve never seen such amazing organization. 3 months later, it feels like I’ve been living in Beijing and working at YCIS for years. I recieve great support from all staff and extend a special thanks to the HR department, who were great.

Interested in gaining IB experience? You can read more about that, here.

Thank you, Oscar, for your honest and detailed insights into what it’s like to live and teach in Beijing, China. Do you have comments about teaching in China? Do you want to know more? Please get in touch on editor@teacherhorizons.com to tell your story.

Written by Alexandra Plummer

What is it like to teach in Hong Kong right now?

Posted 9 Nov 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

Are you asking yourself what it is like to teach in Hong Kong right now? The recent political protests in the headlines may have raised some concerns for those interested in teaching in Hong Kong. Louise Cosgrove is here to reasure us through an account of her experience working with English Schools Foundation (ESF) and the process that took her to her new life in Hong Kong.

Yellow boat in Hong Kong

TH: What was your interview process like?

Louise: So I applied for the job with ESF and had to, first of all, submit an application form. Once I was long-listed I had to make a 2-minute video about myself (the questions came up on the screen and you had to sit and record yourself- was a bit weird at first!) and then interview when shortlisted.

I applied for the job as ESF have a really good reputation on the international school scene- they have 22 schools and are very well established so I assumed would be very thorough settling into the programme. ESF also organised and paid for the visa.

TH: How has it been for you settling in?

Louise: Most of the settling in stuff was with ESF to start with. I had a few days at the ESF centre where we met all of the new ESF teaching staff. This included some presentations from various people including their CEO. They ran sessions about tax, where to live, help with medical insurance etc. With most contracts, they offer free medical (and dental) care, a housing allowance and a bonus on completion of your contract. They don’t provide accommodation for you (which I think is possibly a good thing and a bad thing depending on how you look at it) as finding an apartment in HK can be quite stressful! On the housing front, it’s very different to anywhere else and it’s very much a landlords market so be prepared to pay a lot in rent. However, your salary with ESF does compensate for this! ESF helped a lot and I had a buddy from my school (arranged by the school) who also sent me recommendations for an estate agent.

We met people from school and had a specific school-led induction on a few days- getting new laptops etc and a tour of the school. It was all very thorough and I felt as ready as I could to start! The settling in programme both at my school (KGV) and through ESF is honestly great- there is support at every step and a real feeling that everyone was once the new person so people are so willing to help- honestly couldn’t have been better!

TH: How comfortable do you feel given the political climate?

Louise: It is a bit of a turbulent time in Hong Kong at the moment but I don’t ever feel particularly unsafe and find it is quite easy to avoid the protests if you need to. I don’t know if I might feel differently if I had children, but I have found it to be fine- there is a curfew on the MTR (the metro) which now closes at 10 pm so sometimes just a little more difficult to get around.

Read a previous post about teaching and living in Hong Kong, here.

TH: Did you experience any challenges?

Island Life in Hong Kong

Louise: Just the same as moving to any place and starting a new job. Hong Kong is such a bustling place and everyone is always super busy so it’s just about finding time to ensure I actually have some time to myself! Hong Kong as a place though is incredible to live. It has everything from a very busy city vibe (loads of great bars and restaurants) to a very outdoorsy, countryside feel with loads of open green space, incredible hikes and some amazing beaches only a stone’s throw away from the city. This is the second time I have lived here and really wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else abroad, I like it that much! Hong Kong is super convenient as well for travelling in Southeast Asia. A bonus is that ESF schools offer October half term, which local schools do not. It is a super place to live a very high quality of life, travel and save money.

I’m actually not even being overly positive- could not recommend ESF more highly for a first international teaching job and this seems to be a similar feeling from the people starting at the same time as me.

Do you have any comments about life in Hong Kong? Do you want to know more? Please get in touch editor@teacherhorizons.com

Written by Alexandra Plummer

Writing a CV for an International Teaching Job

Posted 2 Nov 2019, by Alexandra Plummer

Writing a CV for an international teaching job isn’t the easiest task. It’s essential to adapt your CV depending on where you want to travel to and tailor it to the school and subject you are applying for. We are lucky to have guest writer Kristin Savage share her top tips with us.

Your CV or resume is the document that concisely outlines all your unique personal information – including education and work history. It provides the very first impression for all employers and will have a strong influence on their overall decision. Below are the best tips for writing a CV for international teaching jobs:

Check out our latest Teacherhorizons jobs, here.

Include all the necessary parts

This might seem like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised by how many CVs don’t have the required information.

Make sure that you list your full name (as it appears on all official documents). This should be big and bold at the top of your CV. You should also include all your contact details. This means your address, country, personal email address, and telephone number. Of course, if you have anything else like a personal website or social media platforms – you can consider putting these on your CV, too.

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Include a profile paragraph

Although it’s true that this isn’t required, it is an essential part of a teaching CV.

Your profile paragraph is a nicely written, concise, 3-4 sentences. This just draws attention to your strong points and gives the first impression of you and your CV. We know it’s hard trying to sum up yourself in 3-4 paragraphs. Below are the best ways to write a great profile paragraph:

Keep it very professional and keep it focused/ don’t try to use humor
Use the first person – this is your personal CV after all
Focus on the main facts about yourself. This could be which qualifications you have and what subjects you specialize in
Summarize your experience; where have you previously worked, and for how long? You could also include what you’re looking for and why

joanna-kosinska-1_CMoFsPfso-unsplash There are many services and tools on the internet like Pick The Writer, Grammarly, Studicus, Hemingway, and others that can help you calibrate your style and choose the best tone for your profile paragraph and resume in general.

Educational history

After your profile paragraph, you should list your educational history. The rule of thumb with this is that you should list your most relevant.

Don’t list what primary school you attended – the top should be your teacher training and university education. There’s also no need to detail every grade or qualification you have ever got. Schools want to know what degree you got and where it is from. They’re not interested in what grade you got in your first-year module. You can always list anything a little less relevant at the bottom of your CV, under a subheading called “Other training and education.”

Work history

zera-li-tPpw7WcjNro-unsplash After education, it’s time to list your work history. Of course, relevancy is also incredibly important here, too. Make sure that you list the month and year that you started each job. Don’t contain too many, and don’t list promotions as single entries. Make sure you include all the information – dates, school name, position, responsibilities. How you list your work history is essential. The first on your list should be the most relevant and recent. As a teacher, you should list all the main subjects that you taught, the age ranges, and the levels taught. Don’t list more than 3 topics for each job as it gets too complicated.

What results did you achieve? Class pass rates and other accomplishments that make you stand out like IB experience is also really crucial to include. Read more about gaining IB experience, here.

General tips

Here are some suggestions for writing a great CV that you should consider throughout the process. If emma-matthews-content-production-O_CLjxjzN3M-unsplash you’re newly qualified, list your teaching practices and any work experience you’ve had in classrooms.

Explain any gaps in your resume after you qualified as a teacher. Did you go traveling, or have a child? Gaps are fine, as long as they are explained. International schools are especially interested in the impact and results you had on your classes. Following these tips will ensure that your CV helps you secure your international teaching job.

About the Author: Kristin Savage nourishes, sparks and empowers using the magic of a word. Along with
pursuing her degree in Creative Writing, Kristin was gaining experience in the kristin_savage publishing industry, with expertise in marketing strategy for publishers and authors. Now she works as a freelance writer at TrustMyPaperand GrabMyEssay. Kristin runs her own FlyWriting blog.

What is your experience with CV writing? Any challenges or tips you would like to share with us? We would love to hear from you!

Written by Alexandra Plummer