ISC is Back! All Members Get Premium Membership Access in July ’23 + Discount Code Offer

Dear ISC members,

June has been a tough month for ISC. We had to do a major upgrade to our website’s code which brought along with it many bugs to fix! I sincerely apologize for the downtime of our website. It took a long time to fix these things, but now most if not all functions are back working at 100% again. But please contact us here if you notice anything off or not correctly functioning, and we can try our best to get it fixed ASAP. 

ISC would like to offer free premium membership access to all members for the time our website was down/not fully functioning – around two weeks. So from 1-14 July 2023, all members can just log in to their ISC account and enjoy unlimited access to all the unique features on our website.

We encourage our members to use this time wisely and submit comments on the international schools they know about because we also have another offer. For every 10 comments you submit, your ISC account will be updated with 1 free month of premium membership! There is no limit to how many free months you can earn, so submit as many comments as your fingers are able to (remember each submitted comments needs to be at least 1-2 complete sentences long…the more details, the better informed our members will be). * Email us here if your account isn’t automatically updated with the free months as we are still making sure this correctly functions as before.

And there is more…

In addition to the free premium membership access for all ISC members, we would like to offer an astounding 50% off coupon code on all premium membership subscriptions. Select the type of subscription you’d like and then enter this coupon code: JU23LY50 on our payment page to receive 50% off of any of the 3 subscription offers. This coupon code will expire on 14 June at 23:59 GMT.

In the meantime, here is an overview of some of the unique ISC features that require premium membership access:

Keyword Search Feature

Let’s say that you want to read some comments related to the topic of “teaching couples“. Simply enter the keyword/s in the Search Bar at the top of our homepage (or at the top of any page of our website) or go directly to the Comments Search page on our website to search your keyword directly there.

School Comparison: School vs. School

On this page we place two schools’ submitted comments side by side so that our members can make an easy comparison. It is a common request to know “which school is better?”, especially if you are considering two job offers at two, sometimes very different, schools.

The School Comparison page does just that. It places two schools “against” each other to see which one comes out on top. We are not aware of another website that does this!

Compare School Salaries

Yes, we have 1000s of comments about the salary details of 100s of international schools on the ISC website. However, we took it further and made a unique page so that our members can compare these school salary details side by side with other schools. If you are considering working in Shanghai, China, you can now easily search for only schools in Shanghai on this page and quickly compare which school has a better salary package for you.

Job Vacancy Page

Our Job Vacancies feature was launched just over three years ago, but its popularity already exceeds all our expectations. With our members submitting these job vacancies, each of their submissions helps another teacher find new and interesting positions at international schools worldwide. Every job vacancy submission helps schools around the globe reach new people who might just be the perfect fit for the position.

So tell your friends to log in (or join if they are not already members of ISC) so that they can enjoy the
• Two weeks of free premium membership from 1-14 July, 2023
• The submitting comments promotion (10 comments = 1 free month of premium membership)
• And the 50% coupon code: JU23LY50

We appreciate our 26000+ members, and we can’t wait to welcome even more!

We are so happy that ISC is back!

Tips for African Teachers Looking to Teach Abroad

If you’re an African teacher who is considering the idea of teaching abroad, I’ve gathered some valuable tips based on my own experience of studying, qualifying, and working overseas. These tips can help you navigate the process and increase your chances of securing a teaching position in a foreign country.

1. Teach English (TEFL/TESOL)

Interestingly, one of the easiest ways to teach abroad, particularly online, is to teach English. English is in high demand globally, especially in countries like Asia and the Middle East. You might be surprised at the opportunities available and the competitive compensation offered for teaching English.

Required Qualifications:

a) Bachelor’s Degree: Most employers require a bachelor’s degree in any subject.

b) TEFL/TESOL Certification: This certification demonstrates your ability to teach English. Many employers prefer a 120-hour TEFL certificate.

Tip: Be cautious when selecting an online TEFL certification. While there are numerous inexpensive options available, it’s advisable to invest in a reputable course that costs at least $100. Research the course thoroughly before enrolling.

2. Obtain a Teaching Qualification

While this may seem obvious, it’s important for individuals like myself who don’t come from a teaching background to acquire a teaching qualification. This could be a Teaching Methodology Course, a PGCE/PGDE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education), or an equivalent certification. These courses typically span one year.

Tip: If possible, consider completing your teaching qualification in South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia. Having a certification from one of these countries can be advantageous, as I will explain later.

3. Be a Registered Teacher

Ensure that you are a fully recognized teacher in your home country according to the requirements set by your national teaching council or relevant authorities. Other countries will likely request proof of your teaching credentials from your home country.

4. Embrace the South African Advantage (with a Twist of Humor)

On a more lighthearted note, it’s worth mentioning that, for some reason, South Africa is often favored by many prominent international schools compared to other African countries. Being trained in South Africa can provide you with a significant advantage in the job market abroad.

5. Teach an International Curriculum

Most international schools follow international curricula rather than local ones. Therefore, they prefer candidates who have experience teaching an international curriculum.

The most popular international curricula include Cambridge, International Baccalaureate (IB), Edexcel, and Advanced Placement (AP). Most international schools seek teachers with at least two years of experience teaching an international curriculum.

Tip: Seek employment at schools in your home country that offer these international curricula. While the pay might not be as high, gaining experience and achieving excellent IGCSE or IB results will significantly enhance your chances of securing a teaching position abroad.

6. Register on International Job Boards

Sign up for international job boards that cater to teachers seeking opportunities abroad. These platforms can serve as valuable resources for finding teaching positions in foreign countries.

Two popular websites you can explore are tes.com and teacherhorizons.com, which have been instrumental in my own job search.

In conclusion, venturing into teaching abroad can be an exciting and rewarding experience for African teachers. By following these tips and conducting thorough research, you can increase your chances of finding suitable teaching opportunities in different parts of the world. Best of luck with your journey!

This article was submitted by a guest author and ISC member,
Chimwemwe Shaba
Email: chimwemweshaba@outlook.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chimwemweshaba

Chimwemwe Shaba is a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Computing. He is a Cambridge, Google and Microsoft certified ICT/Computer Science teacher with over five years of experience teaching international curricula at both primary and secondary school levels in multicultural learning institutions.

Embracing New Directions: Nurturing International Teachers’ Growth and Transition

It’s hard to keep up to date with the comings and goings in education at the moment. In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, many teachers find themselves seeking new directions and exploring alternative career paths. The desire for personal growth, fresh challenges, and purposeful opportunities is prompting educators to go on a journey of self-discovery and re-evaluation. With a whole world to discover, the possibilities are almost limitless in international education. You may be reading this as an international educator. You’re settled into life in a new country, a new school, and thinking about career advancement. Maybe you’ve never worked in another country, and you are wondering if working in an international school is just the challenge you need. In this article, we will delve into the importance of discovering and nurturing your innate talents, growing them into strengths, and leveraging them to support a transition into new ventures.

The Desire for New Directions

Teachers, like professionals in any field, yearn for personal and professional fulfillment. The need for growth and the pursuit of passion are universal drivers that can lead educators to seek new directions. Left unexamined, continuing to work in any environment that is not fulfilling or stimulating can lead to stress and burnout. With more than 50% growth in the international schools market (based on the numbers of schools, students and staff) in the last 10 years, international movement within the teaching profession is a growing trend.  Seeking opportunities in a new part of the world means that many professionals are immersing themselves in diverse experiences and cultural exchanges while still working in the field they are familiar with. There are opportunities globally, with every international school having its own unique characteristics.  The question is, which one fits you?

Unleashing Talents

At the heart of every successful transition lies self-discovery and understanding one’s innate talents. Teachers should engage in self-reflection, assessments, or coaching to discover unique abilities and passions. Identifying these talents serves as a compass, guiding educators toward these new avenues, schools that may be aligned with their core strengths, values and interests. It is this self-awareness that forms the foundation for exploring new directions and finding purpose in your professional life.  Having a clear idea of what makes you stand out from the crowd – your unique talent DNA – grows confidence when thinking about changing roles, schools, country or a complete career pivot.

Growing Strengths and Skillsets

Once teachers have identified their innate talents, the next step is to cultivate them into strengths. A talent becomes a strength when we invest time in nurturing it. Professional development opportunities, networking with like-minded educators, and taking on additional responsibilities within current roles are just a few ways in which teachers can nurture their talents. Feedback from others helps hone this development. Embracing a growth mindset and adopting a continuous learning approach empowers educators to adapt to new directions and seize emerging opportunities with more confidence and resilience.

Leveraging Strengths in New Ventures

As teachers venture into new career paths or even consider roles beyond the traditional classroom, leveraging their strengths becomes paramount. Their expertise, honed through years of dedication and experience, serves as a solid foundation upon which to build their new ventures. By effectively communicating their transferable skills, updating their resumes or CVs, and showcasing their strengths, educators can confidently navigate the transition and unlock doors to diverse opportunities in and outside the education sector.

In a rapidly changing world, teachers must embrace evolution, take risks, and forge new paths to fulfil their personal and professional aspirations. By embarking on a journey of self-discovery, nurturing their innate talents, and growing them into strengths, educators can unlock their untapped potential and find new purpose in their careers. Whilst we may believe the ‘grass is greener’ somewhere else, it is important to remember that true fulfilment lies not only in exploring these new directions but also in deeply understanding ourselves. There’s a world to discover, and fantastic tools, resources and support are available to support the discovery to make the change both a personal and professional highlight.

This article was submitted by guest author, Alison Mitchell, Founder and lead coach at A Coaching Culture.

I’m Alison Mitchell, a certified coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation. With over 30 years of experience in teaching and leadership roles in UK and international schools, my leadership and transformational coaching is centred around schools and all the people who make up any amazing school community. My signature PRIME Strengths Programme is a researched-based coaching programme, helping educators to discover their unique talents, cultivate strengths, and unlock their full potential.

Follow me on LinkedIn
Email for more information hello@acoachingculture.com

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