FOR TEACHERS WITH FAMILIES

Teach Internationally: Your Guide to Working Abroad

What you need to know about teaching abroad, understanding the sector, and navigating life as an international educator.

Why Teach Internationally?

When you decide to teach internationally, it’s more than a career move — it’s an opportunity to grow professionally, experience new cultures, and expand your global network. But working in an international school can be very different from teaching in your home county.

Making sure you understand what you’re getting into when moving into international education can make all the difference to your (and your family’s) experience.

Curriculum Differences: Many international schools follow IB, American, British, or national curricula. Knowing the curriculum expectations helps you adapt lesson planning and assessment.
Student Diversity: Classrooms are often multicultural (though not always – it depends on the school and location), with students from multiple countries, requiring flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and differentiated teaching strategies.
Contract Structures: International contracts often include relocation packages, flights, housing benefits, medical insurance and even tuition benefits for your kids — benefits that rarely exist in domestic teaching.
Professional Development: Opportunities to attend global conferences, participate in teacher exchange programs, and gain international certifications are common.
Lifestyle Considerations: Teaching abroad often means adjusting to a new culture, language, and local education expectations. Planning ahead for family, housing, and social networks is essential for your transition.

Teach Internationally vs Domestic Teaching

Feature	Domestic Teaching	International Teaching
Salary & Benefits	Usually salary only – including local superannuation/pension	Salary + relocation, housing, flights, medical insurance, tuition discount for your kids
Curriculum	Local state/national curriculum	IB, American, British, or other international curricula
Student Body	Mostly local students	Multicultural, with multiple nationalities
Professional Growth	Local conferences, limited international networking	Global conferences, international certifications, cross-cultural experience
Work-Life Balance	Local norms, sometimes union rules	Can vary widely – depends on school policies and where you’re working (country regulations)

Tip: Researching individual schools is crucial — two international schools in the same city can have very different contracts, expectations, and benefits.

Learn from Real Experiences

Nothing beats hearing from teachers and families who’ve been there. Learn from their successes, challenges, and tips for a smooth transition.

Real Stories

Start Your International Teaching Journey

Teaching abroad can be an incredible adventure for both your career and your family. From finding your first role to understanding contracts and benefits, we’ve gathered everything you need to make your move easier.