Moving Your Teaching Career Overseas - Driving

I'm sure you're addicted to your car and the convenience of driving everywhere. You shouldn't take for granted that you'll be able to drive legally where ever you end up moving to... or that you'll need to drive at all!

6. International Driver’s License

An international driver’s license is not a new license and doesn’t require you to take a driving test. It’s a document that you use abroad to make your national driver’s license acceptable to foreign officials. An international driver’s license is a little booklet that you hand over with your license when it’s requested.

An international driver's license is a translation of your license into a number of prominent world languages so that officials in other countries can figure out what vehicles your driver’s license permits you to drive.

Even if you don’t intend driving overseas, it’s a good document to have because you never know what the future holds.

Little known and harmless 'sneaky' trick: many tourist places will accept it as deposit ID so you can keep a hold of your passport!

Moving your Teaching Career Overseas - international driver's license

Moving Your Teaching Career Overseas - What if there's an emergency?

It's probably safe to say that you have all your important numbers on-hand, and could easily find them in an emergency. This is something we tend to take for granted in our lives. But when we move our whole life abroad, we can lose sight of the important stuff in among all the minutae of details.

5. Emergency numbers

You probably won't be taking your whole filing cabinet with you when you move overseas, so plan ahead and make a record of the numbers you think you'll need.

You need to take these contact numbers with you, at least:

* A responsible member of your family
* Your bank
* Your credit card company
* Your insurance company
* Your Doctor
* Your travel agent

Now, you can probably find most if not all of this on the internet. But in an emergency, like your wallet being stolen, do you really want the hassle?

Moving Your Teaching Career Overseas - emergency contact details

Moving your teaching career overseas - vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!

If you've been living in a developed country all your life, you have probably been innoculated against TB, Polio, Tetanus, etc. But are your vaccinations up-to-date? When was the last time you had, say, an Oral Polio Booster?

4. Vaccinations and a vaccination certificate

You are going to be living and working abroad, which means that you’ll be exposed to all sorts of new organisms. Check with your doctor or with a travel clinic to see what vaccinations are recommended for the country to which you’re moving and be sure to let them know that you’ll be living there long term rather than just going on holiday for a week or two. If you’re traveling to Thailand for a holiday the recommended vaccinations are different to the ones recommended if you’re staying here a while.

Get a vaccination certificate to prove what vaccinations you’ve had and ask your health professional to make a note of when you’ll need to get any booster shots. Many vaccinations are good for a number of years, but some need a series of shots before you are covered for any appreciable length of time.

If you've got kids and you're moving to Asia, think about getting them vaccinated against Rabies. There are a huge number of dogs and cats living on the streets and I know of two children that have been bitten and had to be innoculated later (not that the animals are rabid, but you never know when you'll come across a carrier!)

Moving your teaching career overseas - vaccinations

You can't afford to leave your medical records at home when you are moving your teaching career overseas

Even if you're as healthy as a horse, you still need to take your medical records with you when you take up your teaching post overseas.

Why? Because it gives any physician treating you for the first time a head start... Be prepared as Sir Baden Powell would say:

3. Medical records and adequate supplies of medications

Anyone in your family that has an ongoing medical condition should request a copy of their medical records. For your children you should have or get a copy of their vaccination record.

Additionally, take a two month supply, at least, of your regular medications with you. This will give you plenty of time to check out the provision of medical services in your new country and to find and register with a new doctor.

FYI...

Some medications are sold under alternative brand names in different countries. It took me ages to figure out that Tylenol was the American brand name for paracetamol. Ask your doctor for alternative names for your regular medications before you leave home.

Moving your teaching career overseas - doctors and nurses

There are some things that you can't afford to leave at home when you are moving your teaching career overseas

Going abroad is exciting, but when you're moving your whole life abroad for a considerable number of months, there are some things you can't afford to leave at home, under any circumstances.

This is the second installment of my 'Moving On Out – Top Ten Things To Take With You When You Move To Your New Teaching Job Abroad' series.

2. Original documents that prove who you are and what you know

Government departments don’t tend to accept copies of foreign identification or certification documents. Ensure that you take all your original documentation. If you don’t have it, then get it.

It’s always good to leave a copy at home with someone responsible too, either with a family member, a lawyer or in a safety deposit box, so if you can, get duplicate originals. An extra set is insurance against theft, fire or natural disaster and makes good sense.

My parents have a file in their filing cabinet with all my important documents, including my will.

You’ll need:
* Birth certificate
* Marriage certificate
* Police clearance certificate
* Degree certificates
* Your will
* Teacher certification
* Recommendation letters

Moving your teaching career overseas

Moving On Out – Top Ten Things To Take With You When You Move To Your New Teaching Job Abroad.

Once you’ve secured your new teaching job abroad, you’ll probably have several months to get yourself organized before taking up the post. Here are the top ten things you need to take with you when you move overseas. Read this now as some of these can take time to prepare properly!

1. Passport (valid for at least the length of your contract)

You may think this is an obvious one considering we’re talking about relocating your whole life to another country. Tell me, do you know when your passport expires? Mine expires in 2015.

Depending on where you’re living, a new passport may take up to 6 months to get. It’s not wise to rely on the ‘estimated turn around’ time on the form as in the past both the UK and the USA have had extremely long delays in issuing new passports to their citizens. Of course, if you’re running short of time you can usually apply for an express service, at a ridiculously inflated cost.

So, go now and check when your passport expires.

It’s better for you to have a passport that’s valid for the length of your contract because it’s a real pain to have to get a new one issued from a consulate or embassy abroad. Trust me; I’ve had to do it!

Moving your teaching job overseas

A Quick and Dirty Guide To International Schools For Teachers Seeking Overseas Employment #4

Private Board-Run International Schools

Let’s face it, most international schools are going to be private. What reason would any country’s government have to run a special school for foreign children? I can think of a few and none of them are particularly good!

And so, you’re going to be stuck with a private school. But this doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Private board-run international schools are generally the best of the lot. These schools are run on a not-for-profit basis where any and all profits are usually ploughed back into the school in order to fund future improvements.

The board is often made up of a mixture of local business people and officials (to ease the school’s relationship with officials), parents and teachers. The primary goal of these schools is more likely to be to provide an excellent education for students because you’ve got educators and parents on the decision making body.

The good, the bad and the ugly of Private Board-Run International Schools…

The Good is that quality education is the number one priority of the people with the decision making power.

The Bad isn't really that bad... it's just that when board members include people who are not trained educators, sometimes they have some trouble prioritising issues the way education administrators would. And if the terms of office are restricted, then they may only think in the short-term rather than the long term.

The Ugly is that sometimes cultural differences can affect the good of the school. In some countries, maintaining or enhancing the 'status' of the school can take precedence over good education for the students. Or even good hiring decisions.

Still, if possible, this is the kind of school you really want to be working for!

Teaching Overseas in Private Board-Run International Schools

"Create Your Own Professional-Looking Letterhead Using Microsoft Word"

I started using this very easy to learn technique to create a letterhead several years ago when I couldn't remember whose address went at the top of a business letter I was writing!

Now I simply create a letterhead with my name and contact details. It gets over the problem of remembering the correct formatting rules, and it looks really professional. Also, it's a great way to brand yourself and ensure that your resume is easy to find if it's stuck in a pile of other resumes.

I made a short, step-by-step instructional video so that you can create a professional-looking letterhead of your own, in under 10 minutes!


View my "Create Your Own Professional-Looking Letterhead Using Microsoft Word" Video Now!



To get the best resolution for watching this video, click on the down arrow at the bottom right hand side of the viewer and select 'original size' from the list that pops up.

Teaching Overseas Can Make Prank Day a Pleasure...

Today is the last day for the seniors who graduate this year. They have negotiated the pranks they are allowed to play with the senior management and here's a picture of the one that has directly affected me...

They are spot on in what they've accused me of, it looks like they really have been listening to me!

They are also announcing a 'joke of the hour' over the public announcement system, which is a little disruptive and the jokes so far have been really bad!

The students also covered the whole campus in cling film and it was challenging to get into school this morning because they'd strung it between the buildings!

All in all, the pranks are a bit of fun and not the least bit disrespectful to either the staff or the other students. Prank Day was nothing like this in my previous school in the UK where it was always something to be firmly controlled in case of damage.

Teaching Overseas = Pleasurable Prank Days

Don't miss your golden opportunity through lack of preparation

When securing a teaching job overseas is your goal, the competition will be high. There are many teachers out there who want to join the international school teaching circuit.

You need to be one cut ahead of the rest in order to succeed in your goal. Learn more about how to secure that dream position from someone who has been there and done that...

ME!

Learn more...

The Complete Guide to Teaching Overseas

Are you ready to go out and Get That Job!

If you want to be really prepared for your job interview and ensure that you land your dream job Download the Complete Interview Guide Now

10 Years Later...

I am sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Singapore right now, across from my parents.

Finally, after 10 years of living and teaching overseas I have managed to meet up with my parents for a holiday together abroad.

In fact, this year I'm going to be spoiled because they are coming over to Thailand in a month to spend some time with me.

So, this post is short, I just wanted you to know what I was up to...

Teaching Couple?

Many teaching couples don't teach in the same school for personal reasons. If you're a teaching couple who would like to move your teaching careers overseas, then don't be put off by the thought of having to teach in the same school as your partner.

If you teach different levels, for example one of you is elementary trained and one high school, then you have very little to worry about as most international schools run the two levels separately (even when they share a campus).

Many international schools are so large that they have more than one school. Check out the Singapore American School which has more than 3700 students spread over 4 schools situated on one huge campus.

Finally if you are a teaching couple who want to teach overseas, then move to a city that has a number of international schools. If you choose to attend an international teacher recruitment fair, this strategy would be easier to put into practice because of the number of schools represented.

Teaching Overseas as a Teaching Couple

The World is Full of Opportunities... Especially if you're living my life!

Does that sound arrogant? I certainly didn't mean to be, but I am teaching overseas and think everyone else who has teaching credentials should be doing the same. Even if that does mean increased competition for my next international teaching position!

It's Easter this weekend, and I've got the next 10 days off. Yep, that's right! No going into school for me until Tuesday 17th! I'm spending 5 days of my vacation learning traditional Thai massage at a school here in Bangkok. It's a fantastic experience that I probably wouldn't have if I wasn't living and teaching here in Bangkok.

I was talking to my colleague and massage classmate, Maggie while we were having lunch today and it occurred to me just how many opportunities have come my way because I'm an global nomad.

Since I've been teaching overseas I've had the opportunity to:

act in open university television programmes
act in a commercial
escort groups to ski resorts - and ski for free!
escort groups on excursions around the UK and see more of the country - and get paid!
travel to Paris for a weekend for a jolly
visit Cadbury World for 'professional development'

These were just the things I thought of while I was sitting having lunch with Maggie. When I think of the opportunities I've had and taken advantage of during my career teaching abroad, I am reminded what a good move it was for me to make.

Is a move you're thinking of making? Stop thinking and start doing!

Teach Overseas

A Quick and Dirty Guide To International Schools For Teachers Seeking Overseas Employment #3

Military Schools

A US Department of Defense school is a school that is attached to a military base abroad. The Department of Defense is responsible for providing education for school aged dependents of all military and civilian employees who are required to live abroad in order to carry out their jobs.

There are over 100 US Department of Defense schools in Europe, and at when I was researching this post there are 210 schools located around the world in 12 countries. The children of military personnel can also be found in American schools abroad in countries where there is no Department of Defense school available.

The British Equivalent is Service Children’s Education (SCE) Schools which number only 27 schools world wide with the majority of them situated in Cyprus and Germany. SCE schools are designed to give the students the same kind of education they would receive if living in the UK and attending school there. So teachers in these schools will be governed by the National Curriculum and examination boards of the UK.

The good, the bad and the ugly of taking on a teaching job abroad in a Military School…

The Good, well it's easy to evaluate the package being offered because you will be employed on a contract similar to one offered to teachers from either the US or the UK, it's a national job so you'll get a national contract. And you're salary is going to be pegged to a value in either US dollars or Sterling. If you are working for the SCE you will be employed on a British teaching contract, with a few extras.

The Bad is that you're going to have to pay TAX! You will have to pay national taxes. One of the benefits that comes with teaching at an international school is that you can pay less tax or work in a tax free environment. When you work for a overseas military school you will be employed ‘in’ the country whose military the school serves.

The Ugly is that you're going to miss out of the best things about teaching overseas. You’ll be teaching American or British students the relevant curriculum. You will miss out on experiencing a true multi-cultural classroom and all the benefits of teaching international children.

Teaching Overseas

A Quick and Dirty Guide To International Schools For Teachers Seeking Overseas Employment #2

English Speaking ‘International’ Schools

Some schools do not do a very good job of being an international school, rather they should be called English Speaking Schools. In fact, many schools springing up in the Middle East do call themselves just that because most of the students are local, for example the Dubai English Speaking School.

The majority of the student body at an international school should hold passports from outside the school’s host country. If the majority of the student body is local to the host country, then surely that negates it being an ‘international’ school?

Many international schools put a limit on the proportion of students that can come from the host country. These schools often have a waiting list for local students because wealthy local parents want their children to have a superior education.

The good, the bad and the ugly of teaching overseas at an English Speaking ‘International’ School…

The Good is that, as with privately owned and operated international schools, there are a lot of them around, all looking for teachers who want to teach overseas.

The Bad is that instead of enjoying a multi-cultural classroom with students that are enthusiastic and all have different experiences to bring to class discussions. You will probably be teaching wealthy children who possibly have no concept of what it is like to have to do things like chores and who may not have any concept of the real world.

The Ugly is that you will be teaching a class full of students who will share a common language that you don’t understand, mono-lingual classes being taught subject specific content in a language that isn’t their own can be a real struggle. You are not going moving your teaching career overseas to work harder than you do at home!

Teaching Overseas

A Quick and Dirty Guide To International Schools For Teachers Seeking Overseas Employment #1

Private International Schools

Private international schools are essentially businesses with directors who are focussed on making a profit. There is a considerable amount of money to be made in providing private education in areas where the supply is less than demanded. This is the Economic law of supply and demand. For teachers wanting to teach overseas, private international schools can be a mixed bag of good and bad features.

Many wealthy parents are demanding English language education for their children, and that has lead to the propagation of international schools. This is a particular feature of the Middle East and Asia, where new schools are starting up each year. The year I was looking for my current position teaching abroad there were a total of 5 new schools starting up in Dubai.

The good, the bad and the ugly of teaching overseas at private international schools…

The Good is that they are plentiful. There are a large number of private international schools for teachers to choose from.

The Bad is that while it is possible to balance good educational practice with the desire to make substantial profits, it is unlikely that in a knock down fight between the two that the goal of educating the students well will win. Teaching overseas should not involve you being required to ignore or go against your teaching philosophy.

The Ugly is that you know when a school’s continued survival, and consequently profit making potential, is dependent upon tuition money from students, how likely do you think it is that the school will expel students that are negatively affecting the learning of others?

Teaching Overseas

April's Newsletter is Ready to Go to Press!

This month's newsletter has information to assist you in choosing a school that will offer your children an excellent education, as well as a being a good professional move for yourself.

It also has my second installment on Podcasting to Enhance Teaching and Learning, along with some other great advice about keeping your personal information secure on the internet.

As I've been talking about making podcasts to enhance your teaching and learning, I decided to make one to promote this month's newsletter. It's the most basic kind you can make, it hasn't got any bells and whistles, and it shows you how easy it is to do. This one took me less than 20 minutes to record, edit and upload!

April's TeachOverseas.info Newsletter