{"id":3374,"date":"2021-03-21T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-21T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teacherhorizons.com\/advice\/?p=3374"},"modified":"2024-07-26T22:52:35","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T21:52:35","slug":"how-to-get-ib-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teacherhorizons.com\/advice\/how-to-get-ib-experience","title":{"rendered":"How to get International Baccalaureate (IB) experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many teachers getting to teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is a career goal, but gaining experience can feel like a \u201ccatch 22\u201d situation. IB schools require teachers with previous IB experience, but that requires already being hired by an IB accredited school. Of course, IB teachers, like any other teacher, all started somewhere. It\u2019s possible! All it takes is some planning, prioritisation and flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Baccalaureate teaching jobs abroad.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot of potential within IB to find a job. There are options to grow as an educator and find leadership positions too, such as a programme coordinator or CAS supervisor\u2014though you will likely need some prior IB experience for these leadership roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many schools will ask for two years of IB teaching experience there are ways to build towards this goal. If IB experience is the top on your list of priorities for a new job, you may have to be flexible with locations, packages and ability to save. If you prioritise IB experience above all the other factors you\u2019ll be sure to get a break into IB teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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United World College Thailand is an established IB school that offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong>What is the IB system of teaching? <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are here, there\u2019s a pretty large likelihood that you are already familiar with what the system of IB is. For those of you less familiar, according to the official website the International Baccalaureate curriculum aims to,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect…These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.<\/p>\n

International Baccalaureate Mission<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The catch 22 of becoming an IB teacher. <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a classic scenario we hear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I\u2019m teaching at an international school which doesn\u2019t deliver IB. I would love for my career to go in the direction of IB, and want to start preparations. All IB schools state that they would prefer previous IB experience in their vacancies. To get experience I need the training, but also found out the training requires already being in an IB school. Where does this leave me?<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sound familiar? Not all is lost. We have drawn on our experienced community to give you the low down on gaining IB teacher experience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The IB learner profile works to develop students who are communicators, inquirers, and open-minded.
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5 ways to get IB experience. <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to get into teaching the IB Diploma Programme it is almost essential to have experience of teaching 16-18 years old, so A Level or the equivalent is the best. From there you can build on the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how the IB system works.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You should be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge and understanding of the IB programme you plan to teach (PYP, MYP and\/or DP), despite not having taught it. Get familiar with the language used in the course syllabus and assessment styles. Taking the exam or reading through sample papers is a good strategy when wrapping your head around the curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IB tutoring can help you familiarise yourself with the style of the courses. Joining Facebook groups<\/a> related to your subject group can connect you to support networks and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Learn the IB learner profile. <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Familiarise yourself with the true nature of IB and what is expected.  <\/span>There is no reason why you can\u2019t adopt the values from the IB learner profile in the way you teach and within your students’ learning. Alexis Toye\u2019s post on the IB learner profiles<\/a> outlines some ideas on how to work the general principles into your classroom. Introducing these in your teaching will allow you to see how your students\u2019 learning enhances and how your craft develops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This reflection can then be used to develop your understanding of the IB programme. <\/span>If you facilitate extra-curricular activities, that will sit perfectly within the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) component of the IB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Become a great international teacher. <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Being able to demonstrate you are a good forward-thinking and progressive teacher will stand you in good stead when applying for an IB international teaching job. International-mindedness is a key component of IB education and should take a central focus of your teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do your research and find similarities in your own curriculum and explain how your teaching style will suit it well. For example, how do you encourage students to become independent learners?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Get experience in your home country first. <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you are in the UK or US and know you want to teach IB internationally, you can try to get experience in your home country with the IB curriculum before jetting off overseas. A growing number of private and state schools in the UK and the US offer IB, so you might want to seek employment at one of these schools to gain IB experience before taking the next step of teaching abroad. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Get some training.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of workshops<\/a> that you can attend, either face-to-face or online. The IB Educator Certificate is also offered by various universities around the world; some offer a distance learning option. This alone won’t be enough so use it as a way to compliment your experience and demonstration of IB knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Chose a location wisely.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pick a country and school that are willing to take less experienced IB teachers. Apparently, China is easier than in other parts of the world. Middle-level schools in South-East Asia are also a good bet. With all schools, they are looking for strong teachers who can adapt to the IB. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try getting your foot in the door at a less desirable location for a few years before applying for your first choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a newly qualified teacher (NQT) you can still get experience in an international school, too.  There are a growing number of COBIS schools around the world that deliver NQT induction<\/a>. This will allow you to gain your initial IB experience in an international setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diploma students engage in several demanding research-based assignments known as Internal Assessments and Extended Essay,<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How do you transition from UK or US curricula to an IB one?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you been teaching levels or AP courses and want to transition over to IB? Having an understanding of how they differ from a learner’s perspective can help you decide if it is for you. It will also enable you to figure out what steps you will need to take make in the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between A levels, AP courses and the IB Diploma?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n