| International schools are gaining global recognition as | | | | jobs overseas. Most teachers who do go out to |
| more and more of their students, both expat children | | | | work in international schools fall in love with the |
| and, increasingly, local children achieve places at some | | | | experience and end up staying much longer than they |
| of the most respected universities around the world. | | | | first anticipated. It's not just because of the chance |
| It is partly for this reason that the number of | | | | to travel and to experience life in other countries. It's |
| international schools is growing at a dramatic rate; | | | | also the opportunities for professional enhancement, |
| more than doubling in the past ten years to a | | | | the development of teaching skills, and the |
| present total of 5,374 schools. | | | | experiences gained from working with children and |
| This growth is expected to continue. According to | | | | teachers from many different countries." |
| ISC Research, the organisation that analyses | | | | Here are some of the comments from people who |
| developments in the international schools market, the | | | | have had teaching jobs overseas for a number of |
| number of international schools is anticipated to rise | | | | years: Dominic Crompton taught primary at the |
| to 8,000 within five years. That means a constant | | | | Colegio Anglo Colombiano School in Bogota, Colombia |
| and ever-increasing demand for teaching staff. "The | | | | and is now deputy Headteacher at Skilts special |
| biggest challenge for the whole market is to keep | | | | school in Redditch, England. He says: "Without doubt, |
| finding good calibre teachers," says Andrew Wigford, | | | | it's an experience I would recommend to anyone. It |
| Director of Teachers International Consultancy. | | | | is impossible not to bring something back that is of |
| "The reason why international schools have gained | | | | great value, professionally and personally. |
| such global respect is due to the quality of the | | | | Professionally you are so employable, especially if you |
| teaching they provide," continues Andrew. "Our | | | | return with experience of developing curriculum and |
| challenge is to keep finding experienced, passionate, | | | | with leadership and international links. |
| capable people who are also interested in teaching | | | | |