I want to leave teaching – STOP, there’s an alternative!

Published on 14th March, 2016 by Gemma McSweeney. Published in For Candidates / TIC News

Could international schools offer an exciting new chapter in your teaching career?

Molly Stones - TIC helped Molly find her job at Lanna International School in Thailand

Teaching is stressful. A recent NASUWT teacher survey found that 69% of teachers reported suffering from work-place stress, with 31% of cases resulting in time off work.

UK teachers have said that a severe lack of work-life balance, poor student behaviour and excessive requirements to meet government demands all contribute to stress levels. This would explain why The Telegraph recently revealed that over 50% of all UK teachers plan on leaving the profession in the next two years.

If you’re considering leaving the teaching profession – stop and read on.

There are alternatives

Many teachers have found that moving overseas to teach in an international school has reinvigorated their love for teaching.

International schools are schools that teach in the English language. There are over 8,000 of them in more than 70 countries. Almost half of these schools follow the National Curriculum of England and are British in their orientation. Many others are American-style schools or follow the International Baccalaureate programmes.

Teaching abroad has its perks – amazing and interesting locations, longer holidays and, in some cases, tax-free salaries and subsidised accommodation.

International schools not only attract expatriate children. 80% of all international school students are local children wanting an education in English in order to get into a respected university.

It is the creative approaches to education, and the freedom in the classroom that make teaching overseas an exciting option for many teachers.

Less stress in the classroom

Teaching in an international school is still demanding. Work hours can be long and there are challenges of living and working in a different country. But teachers in international schools do not face extensive lesson planning to meet government targets. Many teachers have found this frees them up to focus on what they love more – the teaching; an opportunity missed by many UK-based teachers.

International school teachers also say they spend much less time dealing with behavioural management. This is because most children attending international schools want to learn in order to get to university.

Find out more about the reality of international school teacher stress in our blog that asks: ‘Is teacher stress as bad overseas as it is in the UK?’

Teaching abroad isn’t plain sailing

While the lifestyle and school experiences are tempting for many, teaching overseas is not for everybody. Moving abroad is a major life step.

Teaching overseas is an incredible opportunity but is not a decision that should be taken lightly.

Speak to TIC Recruitment today

If you’re looking for a change in your career, speak to TIC Recruitment today. We can help you find the right job in the right location. If you have any concerns or questions, we’re here to support you. And of course, it’s absolutely free!

You might also be interested in these informative blogs:
TIC celebrates 10 years of international school recruitment
8 tips to find a good international school
International School Associations

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Gemma McSweeney

Gemma is our Associate Director, having joined TIC in 2009. With over 15 years experience of recruitment and selection methods, she specialises in matching teachers and leaders with our international school partners. She has attended many international education conferences and has visited a number of international schools over the years. She uses this experience to best advise our teachers, leaders and schools and manage our team and UK operations.