The International Schools Review Forum

Hey guys

So to begin with I'd like to clarify that I'm totally aware that most IS require some form of teaching cert. I've been teaching in Beirut for 8 years but I never had time to get certified (not a great move, I know). I did apply for some cert programs in the fall, but I'd like the option of working while I get certified.

If any of you know of/have worked at schools who don't necessarily throw out CV's if you're not certified, I'd appreciate the names.

There is no shortage of these schools in China many of which pay reasonably well too. Not the top tier ones of course but if you don’t mind working with a 100% Chinese student population this is an option. The pandemic is making everything uncertain and particularly when it comes to China, but it still would be a big step up from where Lebanon seems to be heading now.

I think the bigger issue is whether or not a particular country requires a person to have a teaching credential to get a work visa. Some years back Singapore started requiring everyone to have a teaching credential to get a work permit, and some people who had been there a long time no longer had valid credentials.

While my school normally only hires people with teaching credentials, a teaching credential and/or a MA degree count as steps on our 3 column pay scale. So the base is a bachelor's degree. Column 2 is having a MA or a credential. Column 3 is having a MA and a teaching credential. If you have years of successful teaching under your belt, and the country doesn't require a credential I'd be surprised to see many schools pass up a candidate they wanted. I worked at a private middle & high school in the US for several years before heading overseas, and almost none of those teachers had credentials.

You may be better off seeing which countries require teacher credentials. I don't know that myself, but I suspect you could find that information somewhere. But I do think you're right that getting a credential would be useful.

Eion

You could probably find something in Thailand or Cambodia without much trouble. But the schools there that will hire without a cert tend to be low paying and poorly managed, with zero PD options. I don't think school names are allowed on this forum, but the reviews on the paid side of this site would be a place to start looking.

I also so top tier schools with poor management or micro-management and the poorest PD options. In the end, there are no rules. Let's say it is generally true. Keep your eyes opened.

There are many lower third tier ISs, in and out of China, mostly in Asia and the ME, that will hire ITs without a credential. They are essentially independent/private DSs that cater to the local host population.

As to regional immigration/labor restrictions it really depends what your ISs classification is. Some would require you to have certain qualifications, credentials and experience to qualify for a certain visa/permit to work in a particular category of ISs. However, to work in ESOL for example most regional visa/permit requirements only mandate a bachelors/first degree and maybe some form of TESOL certificate.