Teacher beware: the pitfalls of teaching abroad

Right now, schools around the world are actively recruiting new faculty and staff for the next academic year. Teaching overseas can be an exciting opportunity, but unless teachers do their homework, that dream job abroad could become their worst nightmare.

Before celebrating that new contract and packing their bags, teachers should be aware that employment is often subject to projected pupil numbers, and may not be as secure as in the UK. Maths teacher David Getling, from Enfield, accepted a formal job offer from an international school in Germany. He signed his new contract, told his landlord he was leaving and paid for furniture and belongings to be shipped overseas. Just as he was arranging for mail to be redirected to his new address in Munich, the school informed David that, due to unforeseen circumstances, there was no longer a vacancy. He was offered one month’s salary to cover his expenses.

“I didn't accept this, as I felt that, in comparison to the damage done to me, it was somewhat derisory,” David says. “Subsequent communications from myself and my lawyers were simply ignored by the school.” David suspects that his experience was not an isolated incident. “I imagine that what happened to me is more common than people would like to think. But schools get away with it because teachers are terrified of making a fuss for fear of being branded a troublemaker and never getting another job.”

For those who do begin teaching overseas, free housing is often one of the perks. However, it is always advisable to check if this meets basic UK standards, in order to avoid a nasty surprise on arrival. Shabby living conditions, cockroach-infested apartments and rationing of water supplies are not unprecedented on the international teaching circuit. Sam Jeffery, who blogs about his travels, taught English in South Korea. “The promised studio apartment was actually a condemned shack on top of a roof. I lived in substandard housing for an entire year,” he says.

“During the spring and autumn I considered it an artist's loft. During the brutal summer and winter months I suffered immensely.” Having learned from this experience, Sam now insists that schools provide photos of his prospective accommodation in advance. “I do a much more thorough job of investigating future teaching contracts before signing my life away," he says.

Even when the accommodation is as luxurious as promised, the safety of the school location is another consideration. Sarah Cosma from Melrose, Scotland taught at a British school in Venezuela for two years. “Rioting outside my apartment meant I couldn’t get to school some days”, she says.

Sarah was also held up at gunpoint on several occasions. “I was out shopping with some friends from the UK when suddenly we were surrounded by three men with guns," she recalls. Luckily, a local man intervened and the gunmen ran away. Another time, when she was driving to work, Sarah stopped at traffic lights and a gun was pushed through her car window. She was forced to remove her trainers and give them to the gunman. “Even the kids at school had bodyguards to take them home,” she says.

Despite the dangers, Sarah enjoyed teaching in Venezuela and has no regrets. “I would go back in a heartbeat,” she says, “I would just be a little wiser next time. Travel certainly broadens the mind.”

_{Teacher Sarah Cosma in Venezuela visiting a stilt house toilet}

With careful research and planning, teaching overseas can be an amazing opportunity and a fantastic career move. Daniel Baker from Birkenhead is very happy in his job at Jumeira Baccalaureate School in Dubai. “As an international teacher, you must consider yourself an independent consultant,” he says. “There are no unions, and the only person who really, truly has your best interests at heart is yourself.”

Daniel warns UK teachers that organisational priorities may be different overseas. “A significant number of schools operate and run as businesses with boards and shareholders and a distinctly corporate mentality. This is often a difficult paradigm shift for teachers to adjust to. Competition for jobs is intense, and many schools actively seek young, inexperienced teachers precisely because they are cheaper,” he explains.

“Finally, when considering which country or school to move to, do your research very carefully; consult online forums, ask the school lots of questions, even try to email a couple of teachers at the school to ask them questions directly,” Daniel advises. “And remember: if the offer or contract sounds too good to be true, nine times out of ten, it is.”