Making the decision to teach abroad is no simple matter – it’s the project of a lifetime. The first question to ask is: what is the reason for this mobility? It’s vital to have a good reason in mind for leaving, as insufficient motivation will lead you to return as quickly as you left.
For your stay abroad, you’ll need to take out international health insurance to ensure that you enjoy your experience with complete peace of mind. International health insurance is also often required to obtain your visa or teaching position.
What are the advantages of teaching abroad?
In the course of a teaching career, mobility abroad enables you to enrich your professional skills and acquire new teaching methods. You’ll also benefit personally from the experience of discovering a new culture and language. It will broaden your worldview and cultural skills, which you can then put to good use for your future students.
Teaching abroad as an expatriate
To qualify for the expatriate contract, you must :
– Be a Ministry of Education employee
– Proof of at least two years’ effective service in the position as a permanent employee
Recruitment is based on a proposal from the head of the school and the advice of the local joint consultative committee.
If your application is accepted, your teaching salary will be the gross amount at the time of your departure. It will be supplemented by various allowances, including a monthly expatriation allowance. The amount of this allowance varies from country to country. In addition to these allowances, you will receive other benefits, such as a return trip to your home country every 1, 2 or 3 years. As an expatriate, your rights to promotion and retirement remain unaffected.
Teaching abroad as a resident
The resident contract is for candidates who have already been living abroad for at least three months. In addition, the remuneration of a resident is less advantageous than that of an expatriate. In addition to teaching duties, expatriate positions include specific pedagogical consulting missions. This is not the case for resident positions.
To be a resident, you need to:
– Hold a teaching diploma recognized by the French Ministry of Education and Youth
– Have at least 3 years’ actual service in the position as a permanent teacher.
The procedure, which may differ depending on the recruiting organization, involves compiling an application file. This generally includes a handwritten covering letter, a detailed CV and administrative documents. As well as anything that can prove and highlight personal and professional skills relevant to the position in question.
Teaching abroad with a local contract
With a local contract, you are recruited by the school of your choice, to which you apply directly. Remuneration, social security coverage and contract conditions are governed by local law. They are therefore specific to each country, and generally less advantageous than for expatriate or resident status. You will therefore need to take into account the cost of living in the country in which you have chosen to live.
This type of contract can also help a teacher who cannot find a resident contract at first, as it is quicker and easier to access. It’s an entry point for 1 or 2 years, after which priority is given to a resident position.
Teachers recruited on a local contract by a school will be placed on availability.
Teaching abroad as a volunteer
Unlike volunteers, volunteers make a formal commitment: they sign a contract to carry out a mission in the service of others, as part of one of the schemes specifically set up for voluntary work.
Aimed at everyone, the purpose of the Volontariat de Solidarité Internationale (VSI) is “the full-time accomplishment of a mission of general interest”. Lasting from 12 to 24 months, it requires teachers to request unpaid leave.
Volunteers sign a contract with an approved association, which undertakes to prepare them for their departure and return, and to support them during their assignment. The association also guarantees full health and social protection, as well as a monthly allowance of at least 100 euros. This does not include board and lodging, or travel expenses to and from the assignment site.
What kind of health insurance do I need to teach abroad?
This makes it all the more important to take out an international health insurance policy. In some countries, healthcare costs can quickly reach very high levels. With international health insurance from Mondassur, you’re covered every day in the event of an accident or health problem. You can also benefit from repatriation assistance and legal coverage abroad.
