Things You'll Need:
- State teaching certificate
- Internet access
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Step 1
Gain some teaching experience. Most international schools with an American curriculum will not hire inexperienced teachers, with the exception of Christian missionary schools, which often pay very little, or even no pay at all. These missionary schools, however, are a good way to get your foot into the door if you would like to teach overseas. NICS is a very reputable network of international Christian schools, with schools in more 20 countries.
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Step 2
Teach ESL. Take some summer or online classes on English as a Second Language, teach a summer program, or even volunteer to host an exchange student. International schools love teachers with experience working with ESL students.
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Step 3
Consider investing in a recruitment company. The American (and British, for that matter) international schools pool of teachers is a close, tight-knit circle that can be hard to break in to. Search Associates is a large recruitment company that holds job fairs all over the world for teachers looking to work internationally. TIE online is another reputable company that can help you get a job. See the Resources section for a link below.
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Step 4
Stay away from English teaching jobs. If you are a K-12 state certified teacher with teaching experience, you will want to avoid schools that exist to teach English to locals. You can get a much better job at a licensed international American school. There is a big difference.
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Step 5
Do your homework. Even among licensed American international schools, there is a wide range of good and bad. Sites like TIE online and International Schools Review are invaluable at finding out the inside scoop at what it's like to work at specific schools in specific companies.
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Step 6
Start small. The best thing you can do is just get that first job overseas. Once you have gained overseas experience, the world is your oyster. That first job may not be in your dream country, but it will give you that invaluable overseas experience that so many international schools are looking for. Good luck, and enjoy the adventure.
