I’ll say it once; I’ll say it a million times. Moving to teach abroad in London is one of the best decisions I have ever made. This post is being written as I just get back from a fantastic trip to Romania during school midterm break. I cannot stress how much I love this lifestyle. I love being able to explore on the weekends. Being a train ride away from new places and under an hour flight away from mainland Europe. It’s great! I love getting to teach abroad in London, to teach in a multicultural classroom, experiencing a new education system, getting new opportunities both in my personal life and in my career that just wouldn’t have come to me if I had stayed home. I love travelling and teaching abroad and I am only just getting started.
If you’re reading this, my guess is that being an international teacher is something that interests you too. Perhaps you are a new graduate teacher, wondering about all that you can do. Maybe you’re a preservice teacher dreaming about making the most of your degree when you’re done, or even an early-career or a seasoned teacher looking for opportunities abroad to broaden your professional development.
If this is you, Get the Teaching Abroad in London Guide to get everything you need to get started all in one place!
Do you want to teach abroad in London (or anywhere else in the world)? Let me tell you it is a game-changer!
Do you still need convincing? Are you standing on the edge of a decision that could enrich your life and propel your career? Or are you just looking for the lingo to convince your loved ones of the move? Either way, here are the top 10 reasons to move abroad this year.
1. You’re looking for something new
Are your getting itchy feet in your job? Causal teaching? or only securing yearly contracts? Feeling like you are craving something new is a great reason to teach abroad in London. It doesn’t have to be forever. In fact, I know a couple of people who put their positions in Australia on hold (took leave without pay for a year) and decided to experience new adventures abroad.
I also know people who started their teaching abroad journey straight out of university. This was me. After returning from my study abroad year in Sweden, I settled back into life finishing off my bachelor’s degree. Though, I constantly craved a little something more, something different. I had the travel bug and I wasn’t ready to let that go. Yet, I also wasn’t that young. I started my degree at 23 and when I graduated I definitely felt like it was now or never. Which now, I looked back and see that’s crazy. I also acknowledge that I was in a good position to start fresh. I didn’t own a home, I didn’t have a partner and I didn’t have a permanent job yet. It’s not to say that you can’t teach abroad with these things, that just isn’t my story.
Living and teaching in London has definitely provided that sense of newness. A new city to explore (and perhaps a continent). New friends to make, new favourite places to be made, and new students to teach.
2. You want to see more of the world
Ever seen the Northern Lights dance across the sky? The snow fall endlessly from inside a cosy cafe? Seen the skyline of London from the London eye? Walked through the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland? Spent time in a rural village in Java, Indonesia? Scuba dived in the Mediterranean sea? Because I have.
And I’m only just getting started. Teaching as an expat has offered me so many opportunities to travel and explore. Best of all, many of these experiences I wouldn’t have gotten from just going on holidays once a year if I stayed in Australia.
International teaching offers you a chance to explore the world. Coming from Australia, it’s just not really an option to do a cheeky weekend trip or even a week-long trip. You need 2 to 3 weeks to make the most out of the 10-24 hour flights it takes to get anywhere. Living in Europe, you can be in another country within an hour. Or from Asia or South America, or pretty much anywhere! And teaching abroad can take you there.
3. You want to experience a new Education System
Have you ever wondered what it is like to teach another curriculum? I know I did. You hear about the amazing education system in Scandinavia or about how in the UK there is a Teachers Assistant in every classroom or how they are more creative through themes and you just want to check it out.
Teaching in another education system really opens your eyes up to how education systems run. It also opens your eyes to what is researched-based pedagogy in one country is not valued in another. Moving to teach abroad in London provides you with a variety of ways to teach the same thing. You realise how much culture and society influence an education system for both better and worse. You also discover the truth in the rumours, the good and the bad.
I both value the Australian Education System and the British Education System more than I did before I moved. But I am also a lot more critical of both as well. Experiencing another education system gives you the opportunity to really understand the good and bad parts of both and take both of them with you. Something I really value in the UK Education System is its early years and phonics education. But I also love the flexibility afforded through the Australian Education System. Soon, I will be moving on to teach another curriculum. I am excited to see what I can glean from it while keeping the best parts of the UK and Australian Education Systems.
4. You want to uplevel your CV
Are you looking to make your cv stand out? To make yourself stand out? Teaching abroad can provide you with a little something to do this. I know heaps of teachers who secured themselves work back home or even at another international school abroad before they left from their time abroad.
One of the extra benefits of being a primary teacher abroad is that moving up the teaching ladder is significantly easier. Many international schools, due to the nature of turnover, offer positions of leadership earlier than if you had to wait for the opportunity at home.
In British schools, middle leadership is much more common and easier to get. Middle leadership can look like anything from being head of a subject to being on the wellbeing team. Getting a foot in the door overseas can be a great way to give you the experience and help you secure the position you want back home.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like you’re immediately going to be drowning in job offers when you get home, but with a little bit more experience under your belt, and an interesting talking point, you’ve definitely got something to use.
5. You want to uplevel your teaching skills
Are you looking to learn and develop further as a teacher? To stretch yourself in a new environment? Moving to teach abroad in London (or anywhere else in the world) is definitely a way to do this. With a different curriculum, or a different cultural influence, you will adapt the way you teach and with this adaption, your teaching skills will further develop. In the UK, there is a heavier focus on content knowledge of the curriculum areas and less of a focus on skills and attitudes. Over my two years here, I have developed an in depth knowledge of the content areas that I have taught across the grades, as well as indicators in students’ work to match to standards. There is a stronger focus on evidence and students being able to demonstrate what they know in their books.
This in depth knowledge has significantly developed me as a teacher. There have also been content areas in which I have developed my pedagogy, specifically in English and Phonics. Coming out of university in Australia, I had 30 minutes of phonics education in only one of my classes. Though, I was lucky enough to have done a teaching placement with a teacher who had taught phonics in the UK teaching. So I got to observe great phonic lessons on introductory sounds (phase 2), but that was it!
That was my background knowledge. Then within my first week teaching abroad in London, I was expected to teach phonics for twenty minutes a day focusing on alternate sounds of Phase 5 (etc. the sh sound of ch in machine). This was a huge learning curve (which I actually took professional development on provided by my teaching agency). But now, it is a huge strength of mine. I taught across a lot of grades in my time in London and now have a very good working knowledge of phonics, which is how I ended up securing a role as a short term intervention teacher for year 5 students. This then helped me secure a long term role as an EAL intervention teacher, which then, I used as examples of how I supported my low student’s in the interview for my new job in an International School abroad.
Being a teacher in the UK, or anywhere abroad, is a great way to further develop as a teacher.
It also gives you professional development opportunities that might not be available at home. There are so many different professional development opportunities that haven’t made it’s way to Australia yet. Just like how there are so many great Australian programs that are unknown in the rest of the world. From my short time supplying (casual/relief teaching) and talking to other staff members, I have seen many different programs and approaches being taught that I would love to develop further. Without having seen them first, I would not have known that they existed. And without living in the UK, I would not even have the opportunity to attend.
6. You want to learn about yourself and broaden your horizons
Have you ever heard that your twenties are a time to find yourself? I heard this on repeat, alongside that x would be the best time of your life, whether it be summer camp in the USA ✅ Doing once in a lifetime experiences such as sailing the Young Endeavour ✅ University Exchange ✅ Language Exchanges ✅ I did it all and I think this whole mentality is rubbish tbh. But I did learn a lot about myself on all of these trips.
I remember sitting inside the auditorium in far northern Sweden on my first day of university being told that this was an opportunity to be whoever I wanted to be. At this point, I was 24 and I understood how this could be appealing to those who were 19-21 but honestly, I didn’t think that was something I would be going through. Call me crazy but I did. I found myself in a position where no one knew me nor my past (which coming from a small tight-knit community in Southern Sydney this was quite refreshing).
There in Northern Sweden, I had the opportunity to build the life that I wanted. I could be my complete self and find people who vibe with me. It was honestly so freeing and changed me, that I lulled myself into the same foolish position of thinking that teaching internationally in London wouldn’t change me.
Yet the older I get, the more I realise how different I am from my younger self. In all the best kinds of ways. It’s not that I think this personal growth wouldn’t have happened back home, but living abroad provided a fresh start to do it. I got to really think about what life I wanted to live and then create that. To think what kind of person I want to be, and then build her bit by bit.
Living as a primary teacher in London, even as a 27-29 year old has fundamentally changed me. It was here where I started to work full-time for the first time, had money to spare for the first time and I think best of all, it was a fresh start. London is a big enough city that no matter who you want to be, there are people here who will match your vibes. In such a metropolitan city you will always find company with like-minded souls. A fresh start in a new country is a catalyst to this.
7. You’re not ready to settle down
Are you in the life stage between two clear phases? Finished university, but not ready to save for a house? Have a steady job but not quite ready for the next step? Want to travel while you still have time? This was me. I was in a stagnate place between things. I didn’t want to settle in Sydney, not then anyway. Instead, I wanted to see the world, to spend my money frivolously without having to factor in a home loan or kids. This isn’t to say that you can’t teach abroad with these things, but the move definitely takes more consideration.
I was finishing university and I felt like I was in a transitional place. It felt like at 27 people I knew had houses, babies (or were well on their way) and I wanted something a little bit different. I don’t see myself settling anywhere permanently for too long, but I didn’t know this at the time, I just wanted to travel and teach while I only had to think about myself.
Now that I have been on this journey for a while, I want a house and babies but not in the white picket fence kind of way. I want to travel the world and teach anywhere I can while raising global children. This is my dream. But being an international teacher doesn’t have to lead to this, it can be an amazing couple of years away before going home and settling. It doesn’t have to be forever. In fact, most people I know do it for a short amount of time gleaning all the other benefits listed.
8. You want more experience
Are you applying to jobs but feel like you are always being won out against people with more experience? I know this was something I had heard time and time again. Jobs at good schools are hard to come by where I am from, where people are either selected as graduates or work for years as a causal/supply/relief teacher before getting noticed.
The experience paradox (you need experience to get a job but without a job, you can’t get expereince) is a soul killer. Moving to teach abroad in London is a great solution to this. There is a significant teacher shortage in London which means that there is definitely a job for you. Even just supply work from London, in regards to behaviour management, is well regarded in the Australian teaching circle (and elsewhere too!). Having just that little bit more experience under your belt and scenarios to refer to can be the difference between getting an interview or not, and between getting the job or not.
And of course, getting more experience and moving up the ladder is also an added bonus.
9. You want a healthier work-life balance
Have you ever heard that teaching internationally provides you with a better work/life balance? Many international teachers would call this a myth, however, I think there is some truth to it. Not in the sense that there is less work to do. In fact, I find it the opposite, there is more work to do. However, there are many international schools that provide you with more time out of the classroom to support this. This isn’t really the case teaching in London. Though, I do think, inherently work/life balance is better for international teachers. International teachers come abroad not just to teach but to build a new life. I think we are much more mindful of creating the life we want to live, and that doesn’t involve teaching 24/7.
I think regardless of where you teach work-life balance is hard and is more about setting positive boundaries. But in saying that, there are education systems throughout the world that value teachers and their time. No system is perfect, but some are better than others. It might not always look like more time out of the classroom. But perhaps, more resources, more freedom, or more paid programs. Perhaps it is more learning support or fewer duties. Every system is different and somewhere out there is a system that values what you value.
As an international teacher abroad, I am more aware of the life I want to build and putting in the work and setting the boundaries to make that happen.
10. You want to save the big bucks $$$
Have you heard about people who go to Dubai and come home with enough money to put down a house deposit? I know I have. Is it true? Is it reflective of all international opportunities for teachers? I think this question is similar to the work/life balance debate. In the sense that there is some truth to it, but also it’s not the truth for all circumstances.
I live in London, making a liveable wage, but London is $$$$. But also, I travel whenever I can. I eat out at nice pubs and go to the West End and other London must-dos. And I also pay for my master’s degree. I make a liveable wage but not more than what I would in Australia. However, I also make pounds, which transfers very well, say if I was to travel to Eastern Europe (check out my Instagram formy day to day as an international teacher in London). It is much nicer travelling Europe spending pounds than when I travelled Europe with transferring from the Australian Dollar.
In saying this, I do teach in the public school system. Many different international schools offer quite high wages and those that don’t offer relocation/housing packages or bonuses with their wages to entice you. Especially end of contract bonuses for seeing your contract through and resigning bonuses. International schools have a high turnover rate and would much rather keep a trusted teacher than hire a new one. A few countries offer tax-free time periods for international teachers. It really depends on where you go. But if saving money is something that is important to you then there are definitely places you can go to achieve this. Try my ‘Where to go to Teach Abroad Quiz’ to start your research.
Teaching abroad in London is a wonderful journey full of great take aways. Do you want to teach abroad in London? Then keep reading…
I’m sure you’re here because you’re interested in teaching abroad. But being an expat teacher isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. Sometimes it’s for one year, sometimes for two (like most people who come to the UK on a two-year visa). Some people fall in love with their new city and never want to leave. Some people move permanently. Teaching abroad is so vast and different, but one thing that stays the same regardless of how long you go is the immense amount of benefits you glean from it.
Are you interested in moving to teach abroad in London (or anywhere in the world)? Sign up to download my free guide “8 Most Common Questions About Teaching Abroad” and monthly emails to support you to take your next step on your teach abroad journey.
Want to know why I moved to teach abroad in London? Or what I have learnt in my time teaching abroad in London? Check out my previous blog post:
5 Honest Reasons I Became an International Primary Teacher Abroad
4 Big Lessons I Actually Learnt Teaching Abroad in London
Related Articles:
Four Important Things You’ll Learn Teaching Abroad by TES
The Top 10 Reasons for Teaching Abroad by Edvectus
Why Teach Overseas? by Search Associates
Travelling Teachers: Teaching in the UK by Meghan – The Travelling Teacher
