One year overseas contracts for language graduates

Published on 2nd May, 2018 by Andrew Wigford. Published in For Candidates / TIC News

Are you a language graduate wishing to travel and master your skills? Working in an international school could be your answer.

Language graduates wishing to live and work overseas have a new opportunity available to them. A special programme introduced by the International School Partnership (ISP) offers one year contracts to work as Graduate Language Assistants at international schools.

The role of Graduate Language Assistants (GLAs) is to help EASL children enrolled in the schools to enhance their English language skills and, as a result, support them with their learning, which is delivered in English. A good degree in any modern foreign language is essential but no teaching qualifications or experience are required. Contracts for the 2018-2019 academic year are currently available for GLAs at international schools in Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico and Malaysia.

There are several benefits to language graduates of such an opportunity:

Get paid to master your language, and learn a new one

An international school is a fantastic environment in which to practice the language you’ve been studying while earning.
Living and working amongst native speakers will improve your fluency, and the international school community, which often attracts students and staff from many different countries, will enable you to develop new languages too.

Enhance your CV

Working in an international school overseas is an excellent way to enhance your CV.  Not only does it give you the chance to show that you have been using your language skills to an advanced level, but it also enables you to emphasise additional professional skills and to demonstrate that you can work and apply your language skills with different groups of people including students, parents, staff and the wider school community.
Whatever career you eventually embark upon, international school experience will be excellent for your CV.

Have a go at teaching – before deciding on your career path

If you been considering a career in education, but you’re not quite sure if it’s right for you, working as a GLA offers the chance to work in the sector before making a firm commitment. If you do then decide to go into teaching, this experience will make you a more appealing candidate when applying to a teacher training course or to your first job.
Working in an international school means you will be working alongside highly skilled, experienced teachers from many different countries and supporting the needs of children from a wide range of nationalities. This will be excellent preparation in advance of any teacher training or career.

Live and work in exciting locations

Living and working in a foreign country is very different to simply travelling there for a vacation; you’ll get to properly experience the way of life, the people, culture and environment, and help you develop a deeper sense of international mindedness.

ISP schools are located in a number of very appealing countries including Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain and Malaysia. As well as having the chance to live and explore in-country, many other exciting destinations are in easy access to visit during school breaks.

Develop a global network of colleagues and friends

International schools are dynamic, multi-cultural communities of expatriate staff and families living and learning alongside local families too. Typically, they provide a wide range of out of hours opportunities for their staff and families to get to know each other and socialise. By the end of the year you will have built up a global network of professional contacts and lifelong friends.

If you would like to find out more about ISPs Graduate Language Assistants programme and how to apply, contact Leisha .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Daniella .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

You may also be interested in these informative articles:
Why I will continue to teach internationally until I retire!
Why I’m a British teacher and staying in Thailand
How to prepare your CV for overseas opportunities

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Andrew Wigford

Andrew is Managing Director of TIC. He has been involved in international education both as a teacher and Headteacher for over 25 years and has worked in Germany, Colombia and Austria. He set up TIC recruitment in 2005 to help teachers find great jobs in great international schools.