| Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) may be preventing | | | | realize that they may end up employing someone with |
| themselves from beginning their international teaching | | | | fewer qualifications. |
| career as soon as they qualify because they are | | | | How can NQTs enhance their resume? |
| finding misleading information on the internet. | | | | There can be no argument that NQTs don't have two |
| How does this happen? When NQTs search the | | | | years of teaching experience... But they can make |
| internet for teaching jobs overseas, the companies | | | | sure that their resume shines with additional |
| that host international teaching recruitment fairs usually | | | | qualifications and experience that will cause |
| show up on the first page of results. And so, the first | | | | international school recruiters to overlook their lack of |
| information they are exposed to contains the selection | | | | practical teaching experience. This may take some |
| criteria for candidates to be invited to attend one of | | | | time and effort on the part of the NQT, but the payoff |
| these recruitment fairs which is that candidates have | | | | will far out weigh the cost: |
| at least two years practical teaching experience. | | | | 1. NQTs can get a TEFL qualification which can be |
| These organizations pre-screen candidates for | | | | done online or face-to-face at a TEFL teacher training |
| international school recruiters. While this can save time | | | | provider. A TEFL course will provide the NQT with |
| for the recruiters it can cut them off from a number of | | | | techniques and tactics to support second language |
| exemplary candidates who have recently gained their | | | | learners that they will encounter in an international |
| credentials, NQTs. | | | | school. It can also count as experience with multi-lingual |
| NQTs are mistaken if they think their lack of | | | | and multi-cultural students. |
| experience means they are not an attractive | | | | 2. NQTs can volunteer to spend time (or get a |
| candidate for many international schools. | | | | part-time job) tutoring students who have English as an |
| NQTs are attractive employment prospects for many | | | | additional language. A recommendation letter from the |
| reasons: | | | | parents can provide evidence that the NQT has |
| 1. NQTs are cheap, if a school operates a salary scale | | | | sought opportunities to interact in multi-lingual situations |
| based on qualifications and years of teaching | | | | and has had practice with the needs of a learner who |
| experience. | | | | is trying to learn a subject in a language they aren't |
| 2. NQTs have up-to-date teaching pedagogy and | | | | familiar with. |
| methodology that will bring a fresh perspective to the | | | | 3. NQTs can volunteer to coach or act as assistant |
| experienced teachers already employed by the school. | | | | coach for a multi-cultural sports team. The head coach |
| 3. In an educational environment that is utilizing | | | | can then write a recommendation letter that can show |
| information technology more and more, NQTs bring | | | | the candidate's willingness to get involved in |
| cutting-edge techniques for utilizing cutting-edge | | | | extra-curricular activities as well as experience in |
| technologies. | | | | coping in multi-cultural situations. |
| 4. NQTs that are applying for overseas teaching jobs | | | | 4. Completing a teaching practice in an international |
| are determined and passionate about teaching abroad. | | | | school is an excellent step in the right direction for an |
| They have to be to find positions in spite of the wealth | | | | NQT, if the situation arises. Whether the international |
| of information that says they can't. Therefore they are | | | | school is local to the teaching college the NQT is |
| more likely to adapt quickly to the challenges of living in | | | | attending, or if the NQT is able to travel abroad, a |
| another country. | | | | recommendation letter from the principal at a |
| So, how does an NQT find a job teaching abroad? | | | | prominent international school can't be beaten in value. |
| They do it by using job-hunting strategies that bypass | | | | If attending an international school to complete a |
| attending recruiting fairs. One of the best places to find | | | | teaching practicum is not possible, then the candidate |
| teaching vacancies in international schools is the TES | | | | should consider making arrangements to visit one while |
| Jobs website. While the website is affiliated with a | | | | on vacation abroad. |
| newspaper in the UK, it is the #1 resource for teachers | | | | Teaching abroad is not only for the experienced |
| of any nationality searching for teaching vacancies | | | | teacher, there are plenty of vacancies suitable for |
| abroad. | | | | NQTs. If you're not sure you are going to get a job |
| The TES Jobs website has vacancies listed that say | | | | teaching overseas then by all means, apply for |
| 'NQTs welcome.' These are the schools that newly | | | | domestic jobs at the same time... But don't cut yourself |
| qualified teachers should be applying to in the first | | | | off from the opportunity to make more money for less |
| instance. But not exclusively, as many international | | | | stress and to truly enjoy your first experience as a |
| recruiters include a 'wish list' of qualifications and | | | | professional educator simply because you have |
| experience in their advertised vacancies, but often | | | | received incorrect or incomplete information! |