Teaching Abroad Is a Viable Option for Qualified Teachers
“Teaching abroad is not a new idea or career option, but with the growing demand for western teachers in developing countries, combined with a difficult job market in western economies, it is easy to understand why so many qualified teachers are now seeking teaching jobs abroad.
This trend is due to continue with the growing developments of international schools and education campuses in the Middle East, as well as ongoing investment in language centres and international schools throughout East Asia.
Inexperienced university graduates still have the option to travel the world and teach English – mainly in South Korea, parts of South East Asia and central America – but the international market for qualified, experienced school-teachers now makes it possible for those qualified teachers to earn a good salary and live a great quality of life in a foreign country.
It’s not just private organisations that are trying to tap into the education boom in developing countries. Governments from Saudi Arabia to Singapore understand the importance of educating their young populations for the changing future economies. The investment in education in these countries is resulting in new schools being built, new curriculums being implemented, and new teachers being hired.
“A quick glance at the increase in numbers of schools in China pays testament to this boom in education”
In addition to government investment in education, the increase in the global mobility of international companies and their workforces is also resulting in new schools and higher student numbers enrolled in already established schools. A quick glance at the increase in numbers of schools in China and other parts of East Asia in the past 10 years pays testament to this boom in education.
The goal of TeacherPort is to make it easy for teachers and new graduates to find out about these international opportunities. We feel that teachers should be able to understand what opportunities are available to them outside of their home country, and especially in the current teaching job market. Whether you want to teach primary school in the UAE or teach English in South Korea, we hope TeacherPort will have the right teaching job for you.
If you are interested in learning more about your teaching abroad options, head over to TeacherPort’s free Teaching Abroad Guides. Once you have narrowed down the type of position you would like to pursue, you can find a number of recommended positions found on our Teaching Jobs Abroad section.”
Greg Rogan works for TeacherPort, a free online resource for qualified teachers and new university graduates to find suitable teaching jobs abroad. Connect on Twitter @TeacherPort
To Greg Rogan from TeacherPort
Most of the opportunities in your posts are for teachers for the US equivalent of K-12. What do you see as opportunities for teaching at community college or university equivalents, as well as career development and life long learning?
There are growing numbers high tech experts, like myself, who are looking for a bridge after retirement or a purpose to retire. We have the knowledge and skills to make a difference in educational settings and in service to community and non-profit organizations, both at home and abroad. Many of my high tech colleagues had not thought of their education in this light, and are intrigued.
What recommendations would you make to this swelling pool of available talent? What could we be doing to better prepare ourselves for a stint in foreign education or volunteer service? Personally, I am pursuing an EdD. degree as a way to open up volunteer opportunities after retirement. I am encouraging my peers to do something similar. They should be acquiring additional education, both formal and informal, to improve themselves and open opportunities for that late career change that makes a difference. I welcome your insights here.
Many skilled workers in high tech industries retire between the ages of 55 and 60, and then look for an alternate career to bridge the gap. Education is a wonderful alternative.
High tech companies like Intel Corporation are recognizing this trend, and are beginning to offer benefits to their knowledge workers, such as reimbursement for educational training to help them prepare for an alternate career.
What recommendations would you make to this swelling pool of available talent? Many have advanced degrees in engineering, would a degree in mathematics help? Perhaps additional certification in education such as a teaching certificate. What education could we pursue while still on our first career to better prepare ourselves for a stint in foreign education or volunteer service?
High tech workers, increasingly, have the ability to prepare for that second career and for volunteer service. We can acquire additional education, both formal and informal, to improve ourselves and open opportunities for that late career change that makes a difference. I welcome your recommendations.