| Teaching abroad is an opportunity to expand your | | | | new school. It's an important consideration if you |
| horizons and enhance your resume with the view | | | | are moving to an IB school because all students |
| to advancing up the career ladder. But, if you | | | | are required to learn a language other than their |
| have a family, making sure you've got all the | | | | mother tongue. In grades 11 and 12 (years 12 and |
| information you can find will help you find the best | | | | 13) this is particularly relevant because your child |
| position for your whole family. | | | | will be expected to sit the Diploma exam which |
| There are many international teachers who love | | | | presumes a prior knowledge of the language. If |
| the lifestyle and are of the opinion that their | | | | you are moving to an IB school and your child has |
| children are the better for getting an international | | | | never studied a foreign language before, ask |
| education. Essentially your children will not only | | | | which languages are offered at the 'ab initio' level. |
| benefit from expanded horizons themselves, but | | | | This is the level that Diploma students can enter a |
| they'll be getting a private education too! Teaching | | | | language for the first time. |
| overseas is not for the faint-hearted, but the | | | | Extra-curricular activities offered |
| risks of making a poor decision can be managed. | | | | Smaller international schools may be a pleasant |
| Here are some items to consider if you're going | | | | change from working in a national public system, |
| to teach abroad with children: | | | | but the downside is that there may be only |
| Tuition as part of the salary package | | | | limited opportunities for your children to take part |
| International schools are fee-paying schools. This | | | | in extra-curricular activities. Again, check schools' |
| means that parents or their employers pay for | | | | websites to see what sports are offered. If there |
| children to attend the school, and it's not cheap. In | | | | is no obvious link, you can always look at the |
| most salary packages you come across you'll find | | | | pictures to see if there are any sports or music |
| that tuition for your children is included. The thing | | | | related ones. If your children are dedicated sports |
| to check is whether it's included for the number | | | | players you can inquire about regional sporting |
| of children you have. Often you'll have to pay | | | | competitions and what sports take part in them. |
| tuition for you third and/or fourth child. | | | | Other activities to find out about, depending on |
| Learning difficulties and learning support | | | | the interests of your children, are Model United |
| If your child has learning difficulties don't try and | | | | Nations, Amnesty International, International Youth |
| hide it from the school because you're worried | | | | Awards (similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award), |
| that the situation will affect your employability. If | | | | orchestra, choir, drama productions, etc. |
| it does, you probably don't want to work there, | | | | Leisure activities in the community |
| and you surely don't want your child going to | | | | What activities do your children take part in when |
| school there! Learning support departments are | | | | they have leisure time? What would they like to |
| becoming more common in the better schools, | | | | try? You can find out about leisure activities in the |
| and as a consequence there's a raised awareness | | | | community you'll be moving two by either asking |
| of special education and supporting children with | | | | the recruiter (at interview, after you've been |
| difficulties. To find out whether learning support is | | | | offered a position), on schools' websites (you can |
| available at a school you're thinking of applying to | | | | often find a page on 'life' in the same area as the |
| work at, check their website for a list of | | | | employment or admissions pages) or by searching |
| departments or a list of staff. If there is no | | | | on the internet. When you're searching on the |
| mention of learning support provision, either ask | | | | internet use city AND activity, for example, |
| the school directly or have a friend email the | | | | Bangkok AND Flamenco dancing. |
| school, pretend to be a prospective parent and | | | | The key to making the right choices is having |
| ask for you. | | | | accurate and complete information at your |
| Languages offered | | | | fingertips. Following these simple tips will ensure |
| Most schools will offer a number of foreign | | | | that you have good quality information on which |
| languages for your child to learn. If your child has | | | | to base this important decision about the lives of |
| already been learning a language, you may want | | | | your children. |
| to find out if they will be able to continue at your | | | | |