International Schools 101
True or False:
International schools are always private schools for wealthy families.
False.
There are: Public or government-supported international schools, Non-profit international schools, Low-cost international schools, and International-curriculum programs inside public schools (e.g., IB programs offered in public systems), which are not private at all.
True or False:
A 120-hour TEFL certificate from an accredited provider is generally required for many English-teaching jobs abroad.
True
True or False:
Most international schools provide free or subsidized housing for teachers.
True.
90–95% of schools offer housing or a housing allowance.
True or false:
All TEFL jobs include free airfare and free housing.
False.
Benefits vary widely by country and employer.
Which TWO groups most commonly attend international schools?
a) Expats
B) Local families
C) Refugee families
D) Tourists
A) Expats
B) Local families
Many international schools were created for expatriate families. Today, large numbers of local families also enroll their children to access global curricula, English-medium instruction, and international university pathways.
Which curriculum is MOST commonly found in international schools worldwide?
A) IB
B) Canadian Provincial
C) Montessori
D) German National Curriculum
A) IB (International Baccalaureate)
Which region is famous for tax-free salaries, generous housing allowances, and annual flights home?
A) Europe
B) East Africa
C) The Middle East/UAE
D) South America
C
The Middle East/UAE.
Which teaching-abroad pathway is known for placing you in public schools across Japan while assisting local English teachers?
A) EPIK
B) CETP
C) JET Program
D) Fulbright ETA
C
JET Program.
What makes a school international?: the curriculum, the students, or the country it's in?
The Curriculum
For full-time teaching at K–12 international schools, which qualification is typically required (beyond a TEFL)?
A) A Master’s in Linguistics
B) A Teaching License/Bachelor of Education
C) A CELTA certification only
D) Volunteer teaching experience
A Teaching License/Bachelor of Education.
True or False:
International schools typically do not offer health insurance to foreign hires.
False.
Most reputable international schools do offer health insurance (sometimes local, sometimes international coverage) as part of their benefits package for foreign teachers.
True or False:
Some countries allow teachers without a university degree to teach English if they have a TEFL certification.
True.
In certain countries—often in parts of Southeast Asia or Latin America—schools or language centers may hire TEFL-certified teachers even without a bachelor’s degree. However, many countries (especially those requiring work visas) still require a degree, so it varies widely by location.