The International Schools Review Forum

My husband and I are planning on teaching abroad starting September 2014. We are itching to go (this has always been our plan) but we’re waiting to make sure we both have that essential 2 years of teaching behind us first.

I have a BA in English and History, PGCE for primary 5-11, CELTA and by that point I will have finished my MA in education and have 3 years of experience post-certification.

My husband has a BA in Economics (mathematics focus), PGCE for ages 7-15 (ks2 and KS3 Mathematics), CELTA and by then he will have 2 years of experience post-certification teaching primary. His teaching certification is for Secondary maths as well as primary and he has placement teaching experience up to A-Level.

We both have ESL teaching experience in Thailand, Sweden and France pre-certification. I also have a music specialism with qualifications and run the school choir/recorder clubs etc.
We have no dependents.

We would be happy to go anywhere though ideally we would like to save a salary and have a nice quality of life. We are prepared to work very hard for it!

I would really appreciate any opinions on our chances, where we should be aiming and what we can be doing in the next year to make ourselves more competitive. My husband is more than happy to teach maths up to IB or A-Level if he could get hired for that. We have been talking about applying to schools that would be willing to train us in IB PYP/ MYP as a priority.

Thank you so much!
:D

Forget your hubby focusing on ESL or primary. Get out and highlight his math skills. Don't be afraid to take a two year position at a weaker school if he can teach IB maths. One thing you could BOTH do is take the IB II course (subject specific). You both have a decent understanding of moderation, band marking, exemplars, etc through the British System. Being trained in IB, although with no experience, makes you more marketable to IB schools.

Aren't you supposed to be on a plane, Shadowjack?

IB training isnt worth very much, no amount of IB training equals any amount of IB experience.

You will be very marketable for entry level teachers. Being a teaching couple, with no dependents and a strong front candidates with your husbands math experience and qualifications (forget primary for hubby). You would easily get offers from tier 2 schools and possibly even candidates for tier 1 schools somewhere in Asia.

If saving are your priority look for regions with low cost of living an housing (either provided or an allowance).

Using the PsyGuy Candidates scoring system (Below) you have scores of:

You:
3 years experience = 1.5
Masters = 1
Cross Certified = 1
Curriculum = .5
Logistics = 1
Extra Curricular = .5
Special populations = .25
Total = 5.75

Husband:
2 years experience = 1
Cross Certified (Business/Economics & Math) = 1
Curriculum Experience = 1
Logistics = 1
Special populations = .25
Total = 4.25

For entry level ITs those are very impressive scores.


PsyGuy Applicant Scoring System:
1) 1 pt / 2 years Experience (Max 10 Years)
2) 1 pt - Advance Degree (Masters)
3) 1 pt - Cross Certified (Must be schedule-able)
4) 1 pt - Curriculum Experience (IB, AP, IGCSE)
5) 1pt - Logistical Hire (Single +.5 pt, Couple +1 pt)
6) .5 pt - Previous International School Experience (standard 2 year contract)
7) .5 pt - Leadership Experience/Role (+.25 HOD, +.5 Coordinator)
8) .5 pt - Extra Curricular (Must be schedule-able)
9) .25 pt - Special Populations (Must be qualified)
10) .25 pt - Special Skill Set (Must be documentable AND marketable)
You