Teaching K-12
Department of Defense Schools
Located at military bases in 19 countries around the world, some 200 DOD schools employ around 13,000 U.S. citizens. The teaching environment is roughly similar to that of U.S. public schools. Contact with host-country nationals is relatively limited. Contact: 4040 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington VA 22203-1634; (703) 696-3269; www.state.gov. Publishes free brochure Overseas Employment Opportunities for Educators. Available from Department of Defense, Office of Dependent Educational Activity, Office of Personnel, Dependents Schools, 4040 N Fairfax Drive, Alexandria, VA, 22203; 703-696-1352. Includes application.
The U.S. Dept. of State publishes the free brochure Overseas American-Sponsored Elementary Schools Assisted by the U.S. Department of State. Order from Office of Overseas Schools, U.S. Dept. of State, Rm. 245, SA-29, Washington, DC, 20522; 703-875-7800, fax 703-875-7979. Information on 192 private schools.
Friends of World Teaching (P.O. Box 301994, Escondido, CA 92030-1994; 760-233-0073; e-mail: grof@fowt.com, web site: www.fowt.com). Lists English-language K-12 schools in over 100 countries. Teacher usually pays airfare; housing, stipend and/or health insurance may be provided depending on country. Most positions are salaried. Applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree and be able to demonstrate teaching ability. For $20, you receive school listings for three countries (choose countries when submitting request). Application deadlines vary. Of approx. 500 people requesting information per month, an estimated 10 to 25 percent get offers. For a descriptive brochure, please send self-addressed, stamped envelope to Friends of World Teaching, PO Box 301994, Escondido CA 92030-1994.
Private International Schools
Located worldwide, nearly 1,000 private English-language K-12 schools educate the children of diplomats and businesspeople and of wealthy host country nationals. The teaching environment is similar to that of elite U.S. private schools. Although one can apply directly, the most efficient way to apply is through recruitment fairs in the U.S. (see below), most of which take place in February (apply early since some fill up by December).
NSW Dept. of Ed. & Training: Teaching Opportunity. NSW Teaching opportunity for overseas-trained teachers travelling to New South Wales, Australia. Casual or temporary work available for those with appropriate working holiday visas (WHVs) in more than 2240 public schools located in coastal and country areas. Earn up to AUS$266/day. Apply online: www.teach.nsw.edu.au/apply. Contact: teachAussie@det.nsw.edu.au, www.teach.nsw.edu.au.
Volunteer Organizations
Despite the name, most volunteer placements, if long term (two years), usually cover expenses and provide a stipend. Options range from the government-sponsored Peace Corps to religious organizations (from non-proselytizing to traditional missionaries).
Unlike private schools, pupils in these schools will be the children of ordinary people from the host country. Contact: Peace Corps, Rm. 8500, 1990 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20526; 800-424-8580; www.peacecorps.gov. Contact religious organizations directly; some recruit at the teaching abroad fairs already mentioned.
World Library Partnership. WLP has a variety of volunteer programs for library professionals, teachers, college students and anyone who loves books and children worldwide. Our volunteers promote reading, teach information literacy, mentor youth leaders, train librarians and engage in cross-cultural dialog. Academic credit available for some programs. Contact: wlp@worldlibraries.org, www.worldlibraries.org.
Fulbright Teacher Exchange (K-12 and Community Colleges)
This program is unique in two respects: it is a one-for-one exchange of teachers between schools, and teachers are fully integrated into regular host-country schools. Applicants must currently have a full-time teaching or administrative position. Application deadline is in October for the following academic year. Contact: Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, U.S. Information Agency, 600 Maryland Ave. SW, Room 235, Washington, DC 20024-2520; 800-726-0479.
University Teaching
Nearly all university positions require a PhD (or at least “ABD”) or other terminal professional degree.
Teaching for Study Abroad Programs
This is generally a tough market since U.S.-sponsored programs tend to use home-campus faculty or hire local professors. One organization sometimes hires resident directors (802-258-3114) and also publishes two-page resource lists on teaching and internship opportunities abroad ($2 each): Professional Development Resource Center, School for International Training, Box 676, Kipling Rd., Brattleboro, VT 05302-0676; 802-258-3397, fax 802-258-3248; www.sit.edu.
Fulbrights
Information on Fulbright grants to support an academic year of teaching in an overseas university is available from the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), 3007 Tilden St. NW, Suite 5M, Washington, DC 20008-3009; 202-686-4000; info@ciesnet.cies.org, www.cies.org. Grants also available for international education administrators.
Special Placement Programs
Colorado China Council, 4556 Apple Way, Boulder, CO 80301; 303-443-1108; www.asiacouncil.org. Graduates and others from the U.S. are placed as teachers at institutes throughout China, including Mongolia, for six or 11 months. Administrative fee for recent graduates is $2,850. CCC offers placements in universities in the People’s Republic of China, especially in English, TESL, journalism, business, sciences, and engineering.
Regular Faculty Positions
See such standard academic job listings as those in the Chronicle of Higher Education (U.S. 800-347-6969 or www.chronicle.com/jobs) the Times Higher Education Supplement (U.K. www.thes.co.uk) or the Guardian (U.K.), found in most university libraries.
