by Kelly Blackwell

International schools come in many different shapes and sizes. There are American schools, British schools, IB schools, Department of Defence schools, privately run schools and non-profit schools, to name a few.

One distinction teachers looking for a job overseas should be aware of is that of locally run versus foreign run schools. Being aware of this one difference can ensure that you sign an overseas teaching contract with your eyes wide-open.

Locally run schools are more likely to be a cultural shock to teachers from abroad, depending on the culture of the incoming teacher and the culture of the host country and/or owners.

A locally run international school may have some 'quirks' that can make life difficult for an international teacher. These quirks may include an old-fashioned approach to teaching assignments (sexism), an unwillingness to assign failing grades to students who haven't succeeded in mock exams or tests, and many more.

International schools run by a foreign director, however, are more likely to be operated in a manner more in keeping with schools you are used to.

Using simple guidelines to evaluate potential employing schools can ensure that you land yourself in a teaching job abroad that you can be happy with.

* Does the school have a director from a 'western' country? Or a director with experience in 'western' educational practices?

The former is going to be more use to you because a western director will presumably have experienced a western education as well.

Also check whether the director interviewing you is remaining with the school for the following academic year. I've known teachers who have been interviewed by a British or American director and accepted contracts only to find out on arrival that the 'foreign' director has been replaced with a local one.

* Rather than talk to the recruiter about your teaching philosophy, ask them about the teaching and learning philosophy and practice of the school.

Some teachers have been excited about their new job abroad until they have tuned up at the school to discover that there was a vast difference between what the recruiter told them about the school's educational philosophy at the interview and what was happening in practice.

Asking the recruiter about the teaching and learning philosophy of the school, rather than discussing your own is more likely to elicit the truth about the school. If you are a hot prospect, it's quite likely that the recruiter will agree that your teaching style will be a perfect fit for the school simply to get you to sign the contract.

* Check the school's reputation using online resources and by talking to teachers.

This is especially easy if you are attending a job fair because you will be surrounded by experienced international teachers. Ask other teachers what they think of the school that's attempting to recruit you. The international school teaching community is a small one, everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows something...

Go online and join the International Schools Review website to check what other teachers have to say about the school you are interested in.

When finding information about schools, make sure the information is timely. When the teaching and administration staff are signing two year contracts, there can me a lot of staff turnover; resulting in a lot of rapid changes in a school!

Remember, no school is going to be a perfect fit, so try and find the school that looks like it is going to be the best fit. If you get to your new job and it is not exactly what you expected, try and look at the positives, they will almost certainly outweigh the negatives...

* a lot more money left at the end of the month * a better climate * more opportunities to travel * a shorter school year * more time to pursue hobbies or professional development.

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