Teaching Benefits to Look Out For

Teaching abroad isn’t just about salary – it’s also about the teaching benefits available.

The benefits offered by international schools can make or break your experience — especially if you’re moving with a family. From tuition discounts to flights home, understanding what’s included (and what’s missing) is key to working out if a job package is right for you and your family.

Tuition Waivers & Discounts

One of the biggest financial perks for international teaching families is reduced or free tuition for your children. A full tuition waiver can save thousands each year and give your kids access to an amazing, high quality internal education. But with international school fees ranging from affordable to incredibly expensive (think USD $40,000 per year), even a partial discount could see you covering a large bill. Especially if you’ve got more than one child.

👉 Why it matters: Education costs can easily outweigh salary benefits.
👉 Questions to ask: How many children are covered? Is it a full waiver or partial? Is it a taxable benefit?

Read more: Do All International Schools Offer Children’s Tuition as a Benefit?

Housing Support

Schools may offer free staff housing, a rental stipend, or nothing at all. This benefit varies widely and can significantly impact your cost of living.

👉 Why it matters: Housing costs differ by city — what’s generous in Bangkok may not cover basics in Singapore.
👉 Questions to ask: Is housing furnished? Are utilities included? Can you choose your own apartment?

Flights & Relocation Assistance

Many international schools (especially in destinations like the Middle East and Asia) include annual flights home for teachers (and often families), plus relocation assistance when you first move. Some offer flights only at the beginning and end of contracts (usually two years).

👉 Why it matters: Flights for a family of four can cost as much as a month’s salary.
👉 Questions to ask: Are dependents included? Is relocation support cash or reimbursed expenses? Does the school book flights direct?

Read more: Flight Benefits at International Schools

Health Insurance Coverage

International health insurance is a standard part of most packages, but coverage quality and family inclusion vary.

👉 Why it matters: A policy covering only teachers (not dependents) can leave families with big bills.
👉 Questions to ask: Are dental, maternity, and pre-existing conditions covered? Does it include children?

Read more: Why Dental and Vision Coverage Matters When Teaching Abroad

Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing

Some schools have long hours and heavy workloads, while others actively protect teacher wellbeing. For example, if you’re considering a boarding school, expect evening and weekend work on top of class time.

👉 Why it matters: Burnout is common abroad — strong support from your leadership team can make a huge difference in your quality of life and happiness.
👉 Questions to ask: How many contact hours per week? Is prep time built into the schedule? What about meeting times? How many extracurricular activities are required?

Spousal Employment Opportunities

If your partner wants to work, it’s definitely worth checking if local laws and the school support dual-career families.

👉 Why it matters: A second income can change the entire financial picture abroad.
👉 Questions to ask: Does the school help with spousal visas? Are teaching couples prioritised in hiring? Are there employment opportunities at the school for non-teaching spouses? Is remote work possible?

School Culture & Family Friendliness

Contracts don’t always reveal whether a school truly supports families. The culture at each school makes all the difference about how you’ll settle in as a family and how happy and adjusted your kids will be.

👉 Why it matters: A supportive community helps families settle quickly.
👉 Questions to ask: What family events are held? How many staff have children at the school? How do you support integration at the school for new children? Is the school student body diverse?

Language Support for Children

Moving countries often means language transitions for many families. International schools may offer support for kids who don’t speak the language of instruction. Or if you’re moving to a country with a large local population (e.g. Peru or Jeju Island in South Korea) additional local language lessons may be offered to help your child integrate socially and make friends.

👉 Why it matters: Without strong support, transitions can be stressful for children.
👉 Questions to ask: How much language support is included in tuition? Are extra fees charged?

Childcare & Early Years Access

If you’ve got young kids and you’ll both be working, it’s important to find out how well the school supports teaching parents with child care. Some schools offer on-site childcare or early years places, making life easier for teaching parents. But others offer very little – which means you can be left scrambling on arrival to find a full-time nanny.

👉 Why it matters: Affordable childcare abroad can be hard to find and you’ll want to be as organised as possible for when you arrive (where you’ll likely be thrown straight into induction week).
👉 Questions to ask: Are nursery/early years programs discounted or included? Is space guaranteed for teaching families? Are there other options available that are easy and affordable?

Diversity & Inclusion Practices

A school’s commitment to diversity can have a huge affect on both staff and families. Representation matters in classrooms and communities.

👉 Why it matters: Inclusive schools tend to offer stronger support networks for international families.
👉 Questions to ask: How diverse is the leadership team? What policies exist for inclusion? What nationalities make up the student body (and teaching team)?

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