The International Schools Review Forum

I'm worrying myself sick over this, so feedback would be greatly appreciated and very helpful.

By the time I'm finished with my grad school program, I will have a BA in Communications, 30 undergrad credits in English literature and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education with an endorsement to teach English literature k-12.

But according to many of the international school websites I've looked at, this *still* doesn't make me a good teaching candidate, because they all seem to want a BA in English literature. Is this true? Even though I have a BA, a Master's, 30 English credits and an endorsement, will I still not be able to get a job?

Please just tell it to me straight. My husband and I want very badly to go back overseas and if this is a hindrance, I need to take care of it. He has a BA in Theater and one in Math, with endorsements in both, by the way.

Although I am not an English teacher, I have a lot of experience in international schools. It is my opinion that you will be fine with those fantastic credentials. I have known NUMEROUS teachers and even specialists who have filled positions with different degrees or certifications than was posted on the job description. I've seen ESL teachers hired with no ESL endorsements, P.E. teachers without a PE endorsement, Learning Resource teachers with only general K-8 endorsements, School Counselors who have School Psychologist certifications, etc. And that is just off the top of my head. These were all at some of the top schools in the world. This is not to say that these people were unqualified (in fact, without exception they all did a fantastic job), it is just that international schools tend to be more flexible when filling positions (due to a variety of reasons).

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Is 30 undergrad credits equivalent to a major?

I agree with the previous posters that you are definitely employable - however, some schools need a teacher to have a major in the area for which they are being employed (this is in order to get a visa, I think).

Having said all that, I'd get out there and get a job (and if you want to take some extra courses to build up your english credits, do it online while you're working - your employer may even pay the bills out of your PD allowance).

[quote]Is 30 undergrad credits equivalent to a major? [/quote]

In my state (NJ), in order to be certified in a subject area, you either need a Bachelor's degree in the subject OR a Bachelor's degree in a different subject, PLUS 30 credits in the subject you wish to teach. So it's not quite a major, but it's enough to get subject endorsement.

So... how will international schools view that? Would I be able to get a visa that way?

Echoing Ichiro, you won't have a problem based on your credentials. Good luck with your search.

[quote="sevarem"]

So it's not quite a major, but it's enough to get subject endorsement.

[/quote]

I don't think anyone will care much that it's not your major. I have a secondary English endorsement and got a good job with it.

Stop worrying, you're in good shape!

[quote="sevarem"]

So it's not quite a major, but it's enough to get subject endorsement.

[/quote]

I don't think anyone will care much that it's not your major. I have a secondary English endorsement and got a good job with it.

Stop worrying, you're in good shape!