TESL Training for the Experienced Educator

Teaching in a broad-curriculum school abroad is a great option if you’re a certified teacher looking for something a little different.

There are many American and international schools in Asia looking for qualified teachers to join their staff either short- or long-term. The three main types of American and international schools abroad are:

Schools Affiliated with the Department of State

These schools are funded in part by the U.S. Department of State. They hire staff on a school-by-school basis, not through government channels. School curricula are usually American-style, but the student body is international. For more information, contact:

    Office of Overseas Schools
    Room 245, SA-29
    Department of State
    Washington, DC 20522-2902
    (703) 875-7800

Educators interested in summer service opportunities should contact the following department:

    Division of Human Resource Management
    Department of Education
    415 12th Street, NW, Room 706
    Washington, DC 20004
    (202) 724-4080

If you are interested in teaching assistantships and fellowships for study and research, contact:

    Institute of International Education
    809 United Nations Plaza
    New York, New York 10017
    (212) 883-8200

Department of Defense Dependents (DoDD) Schools

Teachers in DoDD schools are government employees. These schools are usually located near military bases and predominantly have American students. Teachers adhere to American curricula. For more information, contact the following address and request the booklet called “Overseas Employment for Educators.”

    U.S. Department of Defense
    Office of Dependents Schools
    4040 North Fairfax Drive
    Arlington, VA 22203-1635
    (703) 696-3068

Independent Schools

These schools can be religious, company-related, or just generally private. For more information contact one of the teacher recruitment organizations listed below.

Teacher Recruitment Organizations

Teacher recruitment organizations recruit qualified teachers for overseas schools. They hire for positions in many countries at recruitment fairs held around the country. The application process does take time, so apply at least six months in advance. For more information contact one of the organizations listed below:

    International Educators Cooperative
    212 Alcott Road
    East Falmouth, MA 02536
    (508) 540-8173

    International Schools Services
    P.O. Box 5910
    15 Rozel Road
    Princeton, NJ 08543
    (609) 452-0990

    Ohio State University
    Educational Career Services
    110 Arps Hall
    1945 North High Street
    Columbus, OH 43210-1172
    (614) 292-2741

    Queen’s University
    Placement Office
    Faculty of Education
    Kingston, ON
    Canada K7L 3N6
    (613) 545-6222

    Search Associates
    P.O. Box 636
    Dallas, PA 18612
    (717) 696-5400

    University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
    Overseas Placement Service for Educators
    Student Services #19
    Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0390
    (319) 273-2083

Other Organizations with International Teaching Opportunities

These organizations have information about positions in Asia and other parts of the world:

    Council for International Exchange of Scholars
    3007 Tilden Street NW, Suite 5-M
    Washington, DC 20008
    (202) 686-4000

    Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program
    Office of Academic Programs
    Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs
    U.S. Information Agency, Room 353, E/ASX
    301, 4th Street SW
    Washington, DC 20547
    (202) 619-4555 or (202) 619-4556

    Japan Council of International Schools
    International School of the Sacred Heart
    4-3-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku
    Tokyo 150, Japan

    Korea Council of Overseas Schools
    Liberty Christian School
    P.O. Box 62 S.R.C.O
    Seoul 140-600, Korea

    Peace Corps
    Recruitment Office
    1990 K Street NW, Suite 5400
    Washington, DC 20277-3741
    (800) 424-8580

    The TESOL Placement Service
    1600 Cameron Street, Suite 300
    Alexandria, VA 22314-2751
    (703) 836-0774

    U.S. Information Agency
    Teacher Exchange Branch
    301 4th Street SW
    Washington, DC 20547
    (202) 619-4555

 

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