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

New School, New Wallet: Prepare for Surprising Purchases

Are you moving to a new international school? You may be excited to start your new adventure, but don’t forget about the essentials. It can be overwhelming to arrive in a new city and not know where to buy things. You don’t want to end up paying more than you should have because you don’t know where to go to get the best prices.

Ideally, you would arrive at the airport, and someone from the school would pick you up and take you straight to your new fully-furnished home with groceries waiting for you. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. There will be things that you need to buy, and some are more important than others. If they are small things, it’s not a big deal to walk down the street to pick them up. It’s a great way to explore your new neighborhood.

However, if you need to buy many small items or a few big ones, it can be stressful. Depending on your living situation, you may need to make emergency purchases. You may need to go to a store like IKEA, which some schools may take you to in their van. Don’t forget that your new school may also require you to bring or buy some items for the classroom.

Living abroad is different from living in your home country. You need to be adaptable and open-minded. Don’t expect everything to be perfect when you arrive. Be prepared for a few surprises, such as surprise purchases, in your first few months.

Luckily, International School Community has a comment topic on our school profile pages related to figuring out which things you might need to buy once you arrive in your new host country, so you can stay the most informed as possible. It is called: “What are some things that you need to buy/pay for when you first arrive at the school that you didn’t know about beforehand?“

Our veteran international school teachers have submitted a total of 403 comments in this comment topic (May 2023).  Here are a few that have been submitted:

“You WILL need a car, although some teachers rent one. If you get a nanny (not on the school’s nanny visa) you will need to pay for their visa which is usually about 850 OMR for two years but must be paid up front. You will also need to pay for their healthcare (about 150 OMR for a year)…” – American British Academy (Muscat, Oman) – 65 Total Comments

“You need to come with a lot of money! This was a shock for us. We needed money for a car rental and eventual purchase (hard to finance a car as a foreigner) and first and last months rent plus damage deposit for housing…” – St. Andrews I.S Green Valley (Pattaya, Thailand) – 31 Total Comments

“The school provides a limited amount of textbooks or resources. As a new teacher, this is often a challenge as you develop or buy the resources needed for your daily lessons. The school has expectations on what will be taught but the teacher is responsible for providing the materials used in class. The school pays for one Twinkle subscription that teachers can use in school. The school also provides a color copier, lamination tools, some manipulatives, Google /SeeSaw classroom, and a class supplies list (glue, storage containers, notebooks, etc) from the teacher list given the prior year…” – International School of Brno (Brno, Czech Republic) – 99 Total Comments

“The school offers the help of a real state agent. He can help you to find your places and manage internet and utilities, at a cost. Other than that, you will have to buy everything else. Furnished apartments can be a good way to go if you do not want to spend much just landing…” – Benjamin Franklin International School (Barcelona, Spain) – 125 Comments

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