Psyguy, this is excellent information. Thank you very much! I will take your advice, and pursue appropriate professional development over the summer.

Thank you very much for your experience shadowjack!

One more shiner; will doing this for several years potentially inhibit a transition back to Elementary teaching later on?

I have a burning question, and really need insight from experienced international teachers!

Say I have a job offer which is in every aspect ideal, except that it is outside of my qualifications. Specifically, I am a certified generalist Elementary Teacher. I have prior experience teaching business, and good exposure to business studies through my undergraduate degree which, however, was not in business. The offer is for a job teaching grade 11-12 business courses - something which I would be very confident, capable, and comfortable doing.


I am a few undergraduate credits shy of being able to take the additional certification courses which would qualify me to teach grade 11-12 business in my home country. I could obtain these credits, but the courses would cost me ~$1500 USD. The qualification course for senior level business would run another $700 for a total of $2200.

My job offer is [b]not[/b] contingent upon obtaining these qualifications. For the future, as long-term career planning, would it be wise for me to obtain qualifications to match the work? Or, does it not matter given I intend to continue teaching abroad? Will accepting this job create a detrimental gap in my experience, should I wish to teach Elementary later on?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!