Unlock Your Dream Job! Questions About Teaching Abroad Answered

We’re here to answer your most burning questions if you’re interested in teaching at an international school. Here, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about teaching abroad that we regularly see. This might be on Reddit (the international teachers sub is a great place for information), on Facebook, or we’re just asked personally. You can also find information about teaching abroad on our page, such as basic requirements to teach abroad, free downloads on specific topics such as recommended recruitment agencies, or our course on how to become an international teacher, designed to help you get ready to search, apply, and accept a job at an international school!

These questions about teaching abroad are not all-encompassing. They are a starting place for YOU to begin your learning journey to a career in international education. These questions about teaching abroad will be updated along the way. We welcome any questions you might have and we’ll evaluate whether we’ll them here, but we will answer either via email or comment, or if you’d prefer, you can schedule a call with us.

Let’s dive into your questions about teaching abroad!

Table of Contents

Is teaching at an international school the same as teaching English?

These types of questions about teaching abroad are incredibly common. Many assume they can teach at an international school simply because they’ve taught English in a foreign country.

The answer, however, is that no, you cannot. When we mention teaching at an international school, we mean this: You are teaching an internationally recognized curriculum in English to students from all over the world. You will almost always teach a Western-style curriculum to students who speak English as a first, second, or third language. Imagine teaching grade 8 math in the US or Year 10 physics in the UK. Same idea, except you’re now in another part of the world.

It is NOT teaching English as a language (though ESL does happen at international schools for students who need that support; however, you need to have a teaching license from a teaching education program to qualify for those; a TEFL certificate won’t do it). Those TEFL or ESL jobs are different in terms of visas you get, degrees you need, packages you’ll receive, and more.

What do I need to teach abroad at an international school?

When people ask questions about teaching abroad, this is one of the most important. For 99% of teaching at international schools (there are always exceptions to be found), you’ll need a teaching license/certificate. This means completing a program whether it’s an undergraduate degree in the US to get a teaching license or a teaching certification program like Moreland, an online program, or getting your QTS (Qualified Teaching Status) via a university in the UK. It can be from any country, but ultimately, you’ll need certification from your country showing you are legally a teacher and have been through the necessary training to be one.

You’ll need, as with all education jobs, background checks. These are in place for child safety. As an educator, you’re there not just to teach but to keep students safe. That starts with making sure you’re qualified to do so. Some recruitment platforms have partnerships with agencies that perform background checks worldwide, so you can streamline the process if you’re using a recruitment platform like Search Associates or ISS.

References are another important part of the necessary items for working and teaching at an international school. Any potential employer, whether it’s in education or not, wants to know what kind of person and professional you are. This can be uncomfortable, especially because in the world of international education, hiring starts early (think October or November), and your current employer might feel blindsided by your announcement and request. If you are teaching in the US, Canada, or the UK, for example, this will also mean asking for references earlier than when you would be required to tell your school

Of course, you’ll also need a resume showcasing your work history, experience, and expertise.

Check out our page, Basic Requirements to Teach Abroad, for more detailed information on what you need to teach abroad.

How do I find jobs?

International teachers generally find jobs via two main methods: recruitment agencies and connections. Cold emailing is another option, but by and large, teachers use different recruitment agencies and their own personal connections. Some international schools require applicants to be registered candidates at their preferred recruitment platform; make sure to check the Careers page at the schools you’re interested in for specific requirements.

There are many recruitment agencies, but the major ones include Search Associates, International School Services (ISS), Schrole, Teacher Horizons, the Global Recruitment Collaborative (GRC), and TES. Some of these are free, some cost, and some cost even more. There are other smaller recruitment agencies, with some being newer or being more specific in the location of schools they specialize in.

These agencies provide a one-stop shop for your resume, background checks, and references. Schools can view your information to gauge your “hireability,” and you can learn about schools from job openings, packages, and often some demographics about the schools. Schools and candidates can also message each other: you can apply for jobs, and schools can request interviews.

Many of these agencies also host job fairs, either in-person or virtual, where you can meet with school hiring officials (usually admin or HR reps) and interview on the spot. These are great ways to get immediate feedback on a position (compared to cold emailing) and to expand your network.

The other main method of obtaining international school jobs is to leverage your connections. Despite including thousands of schools, International teaching is quite a small community. And after a few years, you’ll likely have friends all around the world at a variety of schools and positions. Through this network, you can learn about job openings, often before they’re posted, and possibly have direct access to an administrator who can review your materials either directly or via a recruitment agency (even with connections, many international teachers still use a recruitment agency). The bigger your network, the greater your odds of securing a position without the need to attend a job fair.

Lastly, you can cold email schools, either directly or through a recruitment agency. This simply means contacting a school and telling them you’re interested in a position. Sometimes this works, and oftentimes it doesn’t. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear back at all from a school. Unfortunately, it is rather common

Check out our Free Downloads page, which has detailed information about various recruitment agencies.

What are teaching credentials?

Teaching credentials are specific documentation issued by governing bodies stating that you are legally allowed to teach in that area. For example, you might attend a university in the US and major in education. It might be elementary. It might be high school. At the end of your program, you’ll receive a certificate issued by the state’s education department (each US state has a department of education with different names – ex, Hawaii is the Hawaiian Teacher Standards Board, while Washington State is the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

In the UK, completing a university education program would result in getting your Qualified Teacher Status issued by the government. These are just two examples, but ultimately, teaching credentials show that you are legally allowed to teach and have been through the training and child protection training to ensure you’re a safe adult to have in the classroom. Some countries don’t have teaching certificates as we know them in the US or the UK; education degree graduates are considered licensed to teach.

Teaching credentials are NOT certificates for teaching English as a Language. TEFL, ESOL, ELL, and similar certificates are not credentials that are recognized by international schools and will not allow you to teach in international schools.

What are school “tiers”?

School tiers are an unofficial and informal method of ranking schools that many teachers often use. You’ll often hear teachers talk about these, whether it’s in person or online. There are Tier 1, 2, and 3 schools. Tier 1 is often considered the best of the best, from packages to locations to diversity and much more. The tiers have no set standards or guidelines, but what’s considered a top-tier school doesn’t necessarily mean a great place to work, and a lower-tier school can be wonderful!

For detailed information about school tiers, check out our International School Tiers post.

I am experienced and licensed. What do I need to do to teach internationally?

To teach internationally, you really don’t need to do much! As mentioned in the question: What do I need to teach abroad at an international school? you’ll need to register with a recruiting agency (you don’t have to, but we recommend it), get your background checks, resume, and references in order, and you can start searching via your recruitment agency or places like Facebook, which has several groups dedicated to International Education.

Are some recruiting agencies better than others?

There are several major recruitment agencies that are standard amongst international teachers, as well as many smaller ones that are region-specific (far less frequently used), and which is best is really a matter of opinion. Each major agency brings something different to the table, be it cost, reputation, availability of schools, or something different. Many teachers only ever use a couple throughout their careers, us included, so we cannot speak to the quality of each agency. We recommend you research and read reviews of the different agencies to decide which is best for you.

We have an overview of the major recruitment agencies on our Free Downloads page as well.

Can I apply to just ONE country?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about teaching abroad. The short and simple answer is, of course, you can. The better answer, however, is that you can but shouldn’t. By applying to just one country, you are really limiting yourself to what’s available out there. Simply because you like a city or country doesn’t guarantee you’ll find a job or that that place has quality schools.

You would be surprised how many teachers end up in places they’d never expect and absolutely fall in love, either with the city, the country, the school, or some combination of the three! As educators, we want to teach our students to keep an open mind, and we encourage you to do the same as you look for jobs. You’ll be surprised how much you might like a place you never expected! Conversely, you could end up in a place you really wanted, only to dislike it!

However, if your spouse or partner already has a job in a particular place, then absolutely look for jobs there!

What exactly does “QTS” mean? Who is it for?

QTS, as mentioned above, stands for “Qualified Teacher Status” and is, for all intents and purposes, the UK equivalent to a US teaching license. It allows you to teach in the UK (though you can legally teach in the UK for up to 4 years without one) and work internationally abroad as a teaching credential.

First and foremost, QTS obviously suits those from the UK. However, many teachers from other countries also apply for this as QTS has no expiration date like many US teaching licenses. This means it’s easier for educators to keep it valid.

There are several methods to obtain QTS. Each is dependent on your personal situation. The UK Government has a site dedicated to the different pathways to obtaining QTS. For many non-UK educators who are already credentialed, the assessment-only QTS option is the best choice.

What kind of savings will I find?

One of the questions about teaching abroad that people want answered is whether you will be able to save money. Like any job anywhere in the world, you’ll find different answers from different schools and places. Currently (2024), China and the Middle East offer some of the best salaries in the world for international teachers, but that doesn’t always translate to savings. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for example, are not cheap places to live.

Many schools provide savings information to prospective teachers. Savings potential depends on several factors, including location, cost of living, school tuition, student-body size, package (e.g., housing, tuition for children, etc.), and more. All of these can impact your ability to save money.

The lower cost of living in areas like Southeast Asia can make saving easy. Europe, particularly Western Europe, is notoriously bad for savings potential due to high costs of living, poorer packages, and local taxes. East Asia can be a great place to save, as can the Middle East. Latin America can be highly dependent on the country and school.

Along with schools providing savings potential, many recruitment agencies also include this information (usually provided by the school) in their information about each school registered with their site.

Before deciding on a job (or even applying), ask about the potential for savings at prospective schools. Again, Facebook or Reddit are great places to start or you’re welcome to schedule a call with us.

Can I bring along dependents and/or pets?

These are really two different questions, but both are important as they involve family. Let’s start with dependents.

Can I bring dependents?

Yes, you can, of course, bring dependents! But how many? The norm for most international schools is to offer free tuition for up to 2 children (often one per teacher). Some schools might offer two per teacher, and a few (quite rare) offer tuition for up to three. Occasionally, a school might not offer free tuition at all or only for one child.

Schools are also usually okay with what’s called a “trailing spouse,” which means a spouse who doesn’t teach. We actually started this way. It starts to get tricky, however, if you have a trailing spouse and children. The fewer teachers and more people you bring to the school, the more expensive of a hire you become. This means that you might lose out to a couple with no children and one teaching partner or a single teacher or a couple of whom both are teachers. We still recommend you apply, though!

Can I bring pets?

What about pets? Pets are part of a family and are important to bring along. Many teachers take pets with them, but there are things to consider first. Does the school housing (if they provide it) allow pets? Do they make any exceptions? If you are dead set on bringing your furry family member, you should clarify this before signing a contract.

You’ll also want to check country requirements. Some countries, like Australia, can make it very difficult to bring in animals. Sometimes, that means animals arrive weeks or months after you, and they might also have to undergo long quarantine times before they arrive. If the school is okay with pets, make sure to discuss country requirements with them.

Finally, you’ll need to check out costs. Most schools do not help cover the cost of transporting pets across international borders and it can be very expensive. We have met teachers who have paid nearly US$10,000 to have their pets with them abroad. The average cost is more likely in the $1,000 to $5,000 range. If you are okay with the associated costs, then by all means, go for it! Just know it can be pricey!

Will I have to pay taxes?

Again, you’ll need to discuss this with the school, as each country has its own tax structure and regulations. If taxes are required, many schools pay these for you, and your salary will indicate your take-home pay after taxes, meaning you don’t even realize it’s happening. You do need to be clear on this, though. For example, in Western Europe, schools will not cover your taxes, and taxes are quite high to cover the plethora of public services many of these countries offer, such as healthcare.

When living overseas, you must also check with your home country about tax regulations. Americans must still file taxes even if they don’t need to pay them. Please note that we are not professionals, and our tax advice is based on experience and personal research. You can check out our page about US taxes for a deeper overview of what it’s like for Americans abroad. We recommend, however, speaking to a professional who deals with taxes.

Check back frequently as we are often reading through different sources to add more to our Frequently Asked Questions about teaching abroad page! Or if you have a question about teaching abroad you think should be here, please contact us and let us know!

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