Could you restore your love of teaching… overseas?
The last year of teaching has been one of the toughest yet, so maybe it’s time to explore options a little further afield…
Do you:
- Want to experience living in different cultures?
- Want to earn more?
- Want to travel the world?
- Want to save more?
- Want more freedom in your teaching methods?
- Want to escape from your current school or system?
- Want to try alternative curricula/educational philosophies?
- Want more time for yourself?
All of these are great reasons to take the plunge and teach overseas.
You may have some reservations or concerns:
What if… I don’t speak another language?
- In most international schools the instructional language is English, and although having another language can be beneficial, it is by no means required.
What if… I have dependents?
- Many schools offer free or discounted tuition for up to two children per staff member, and in many countries, particularly in Asia, childcare is cheaper or more affordable than in western countries.
What if… I have debts?
- Many international teaching jobs can offer a higher savings potential, which means that you can keep up your debt repayments, or even pay them back more quickly.
Take action: Create a mission statement to clarify why you want to teach overseas.
Think about the top one or two reasons why international teaching appeals to you and combine them to make your own mission statement. e.g. I want to [first reason] while [second reason].
For example:
I want to explore the world while still making some savings.
I want to repay my student loans, while also feeling that my teaching is making a difference.
I want to enjoy teaching while expanding on my K-pop obsession.
Put this mission statement up on your wall, add it to your vision board, and use it to help you to stay focused and drive you forward on your next steps.
Check out the next articles to help you to decide where you want to teach, how to find an international teaching job, how to smash your application, and what to do next!
