Teaching is a profession of many dimensions. It’s a job that is equally rewarding and taxing. It’s easy to slip into a mindset of “schools are schools are schools” when there can be significant differences in the systems you’re working at. Today’s article explores this idea of “US vs International Schools” and looks at ten ways teaching in the US differs from teaching abroad. While this article comes from our experiences teaching in the US and abroad, we’d love to hear from you about which fits your experience in other countries.
- 1. Special education requirements may be less structured
- 2. More readily available resources
- 3. Greater language and cultural diversity
- 4. Less standardized testing
- 5. Fewer labor protections, including unions
- 6. Better benefits, resulting in fewer out-of-pocket expenses
- 7. More emphasis on teacher collaboration
- 8. More expansive facilities
- 9. Smaller class sizes
- 10. Less stigma about moving on
- Final thoughts
1. Special education requirements may be less structured
The Americans with Disabilities Act and other education legislation structuring how schools must provide services for students with special needs are some of the most robust legislation worldwide. However, not all countries have such protections or need to follow the exact legal requirements. It’s up to the schools to follow best practices and put services in place. Many international schools will state in their admissions policies that they do not have support for severe needs and disabilities.
In contrast, others, and this is the prevailing trend, are consciously building up their student support services. You may notice that the ongoing paperwork requirements you may be used to in the US are not present to the same extent in international schools. Requiring a documented diagnosis is still the norm (students need a diagnosis to receive services), and testing services may not be as readily available in some locations.
2. More readily available resources
Having to buy something for your classroom is an exception in most places. Most international schools will have set processes for the procurement of materials; usually, consumables are available throughout the year at school for you to get as needed (either through an office staff member or at a supply warehouse). More extensive materials like equipment, furniture, and subscriptions to platforms such as IXL or Newsela are typically included in a school’s annual order. Annual orders are also an opportunity to collaborate with other faculty, as you can check with people in your division what would be most helpful to the most significant number of students.
3. Greater language and cultural diversity
True international schools host students from a variety of countries; you may have host country students or even students from other countries with multiple passports. Likely, though, the majority of students will identify with a different country, ethnicity, and/or culture. This helps bring a new dimension to your classroom. The diversity of the student body makes it imperative to prioritize inclusion, respect, and kindness at school to ensure everyone feels safe.
4. Less standardized testing
For starters, school funding doesn’t depend on test scores in international schools! That in itself is a massive weight off your shoulders. The most common standardized tests in international schools are MAP (Measures of Academic Progress by NWEA), WIDA’s Access for ELLs to assess English language proficiency, and college preparedness/aptitude tests such as the PSAT, ACT, and the SAT. MAP and WIDA Access are essentially diagnostic and used to inform instructional decisions such as differentiation, assessment of effectiveness, and further need for higher tiers of Response to Intervention, etc.
5. Fewer labor protections, including unions
This gives you as an employee less power to negotiate things like salaries and benefits (you take it or leave it), early termination, legal protection in case of an allegation of misconduct or breach of contract, access to resolution tools like arbitration, etc. The best you can do is read your contract closely and make sure that you understand every stipulation before you sign. Breaking your contract could have financial implications (losing your repatriation allowance or having to pay a fine). It could even have future employment implications, like not being able to get a (positive) reference from your employer. This may be difficult to explain in future job interviews. It might also mean not being able to work with recruitment agencies.
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6. Better benefits, resulting in fewer out-of-pocket expenses
International schools’ compensation packages cover many things that would typically be in your fixed costs from your take-home page (housing, taxes, and at least part of your healthcare being major ones). This gives you more disposable income at the end of each month. Thanks to how international schools structure pay and benefits, you may be able to nurture your financial goals and accelerate reaching financial milestones in a way that your limited teaching salary may not allow you to do back home.
In addition, international school compensation packages often include significant expenses. These are often things such as buying technology necessary for your job (like a laptop), flying back home at the end of each school year (which, depending on location, can add up to thousands of dollars), supporting you with a settling-in allowance to give you some cushion. At the same time, you usually get paid when you first arrive (sometimes in cash), and some schools offer interest-free car loans. Knowing that you will have this kind of financial support can completely overhaul your finances and adjust your financial planning to fit your goals better. Our favorite planning tool is Ramit Sethi’s Conscious Spending Plan.
7. More emphasis on teacher collaboration
People in international schools are often more used to or willing to collaborate/work in teams; many have multiple years of experience in collaborative teams. Some international schools take multi-age approaches in Early Years and Elementary. This is where teachers combine forces to teach groups across age levels. It can also mean an elementary classroom of students of different ages. In addition, the transient nature of international schools and the fact that, in some places, teams get new members every couple of years makes collaboration a necessity for making your job easier.
Curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary and Middle Years Programmes are also designed for collaborative lesson planning and implementation. They approach instruction from a multidisciplinary standpoint. This means to develop well-rounded Programs of Inquiry, teachers with various areas of strength and specialization must collaborate.
8. More expansive facilities
Many international schools are located on campuses outside the city center to take advantage of the nature around the school. This gives students great opportunities for outdoor play (depending on the weather) and teachers the space to use the outdoors for teaching when it may be relevant. While it may mean that many students have a commute, it also means that the school experience is much more enriching. The school will likely have the facilities to offer more well-rounded programs, with literal space for academics, performing arts, athletics, and exploratory disciplines. Some examples of outstanding facilities in select international schools include Makerspace labs with multiple 3D printers, serving arts centers with all the stage equipment a theater production could need, Olympic-size pools, hiking trails near the school campus, and more.
9. Smaller class sizes
Most international schools will cap class sizes; the standard size is 25. It is common for early years/elementary school teachers to have teaching assistants. Most international schools will publish their student-to-teacher ratio on their websites, especially for Early Years and Elementary/Primary. Smaller class sizes help you build closer rapport with your students, improving communication and allowing you to assess student needs better and adjust instruction accordingly. Smaller class sizes also allow you to create more intentional student learning experiences.
10. Less stigma about moving on
In the international education space, the expectation is that, eventually, you will leave your school, and that may happen for some reasons that most people don’t expect you to explain. It also may occur for reasons utterly unrelated to the school. Maybe it’s just a matter of “it’s time”. That could mean time to take on a new professional challenge or simply time for a change of scenery. The pressure and guilt that teachers often feel about leaving their district are mostly absent in the international school space: People will be genuinely happy for you when they hear about your next post and look forward to visiting you (especially if you are moving to a place they may visit during a break!).
Final thoughts
While we maintain our perspective that no one school is perfect, in your home country or otherwise, in our experience, the differences between US vs international schools can be significant. From smaller class sizes to less paperwork (sometimes) to more generous and competitive compensation packages, international teaching can be a tremendous professional landscape for building a better work-life balance and getting closer to your life, career, and financial goals.
For a more detailed perspective on why we believe you should move overseas to teach, check out our post: Why Teach Internationally.
All your questions about how to get an international school job answered
Our self-paced course, Getting Started Teaching Abroad, explains step by step the ins and outs of setting yourself up for success to take the leap and secure a position at an international school. From clear goal-setting to the timelines of the global recruitment process to the pros and cons of the top recruitment agencies in the game, our course will give you the knowledge to navigate your first international school recruitment cycle. Whether you take the leap now or wait until next school year, Getting Started Teaching Abroad gives you the knowledge of a seasoned international school educator on your first round of applications! Get the course today!