MartElla wrote:
"American teachers are not preferred over British teachers. Nor, on the whole, is it the case vice versa. It's all about the individual."

This is absolutely untrue. Should it be about the individual? Of course. Is it? In the case of EU schools - NO! What is it about? Which passport you hold. Period. I do not wish to get into the whole discussion of who is 'better' at teaching, such generalizations don't work at all - I've worked with great British, N. American, and down under teachers who were liked very much by their students (and colleagues) ... and I've worked with freaks from the same places too, who were repulsive to all. In that sense it is about the individual, not his/her nationality.

However, the hiring inequality based on the teacher's country of origin is too prominent not to bring up, and your statement about there being no preference given is entirely untrue. The preference in Europe is for the British passport, not for the quality of the individual. Two months ago I was the top candidate for a job in an EU country. I had the contract sent over and everything. When I filled in the required forms and sent them back I got the response ... "Oops, we thought you had an EU passport? If not, we're very sorry, but we have to withdraw the offer." Fifth time this has happened to me. Not to mention all of the job ads I can't even apply to, as they outright list having an EU passport as a 'requirement', right alongside teaching experience, etc. Total BS, not to mention it is in violation of a number of international human rights laws.

I honestly hope that Brexit will help us even out the playing field, end social inequality in IS in EU, and bring back the spirit of liberté, égalité, fraternité to the IS hiring process in Europe.

I would also bet that if that does happen a number of teachers currently privileged by the system will end up surprised that they may not actually be the cat's meow and the number one hiring choice for the schools they apply to ... once it is all about the individual, and not the preferential treatment. Here's hoping!