Thanks! Your reply really put my mind at rest.

Sadly, I think I have already missed the sign-up cycle for also applying for Literature and Drama PGCEs, though this sounds like it would have been an excellent idea. For these kinds of joint roles including Drama, is it possible to make oneself eligible through other qualifications than PGCE - for instance, if I got some hands-on experience teaching a drama club at school during my PGCE, or might there be some internationally-recognised Drama short courses I could take to edge into that market at a later date? Or would ISs only be hiring those with a PGCE in both?

Sorry if these questions are overly specific, - but if you have any further advice you can offer on this area, that would be great!

Hi everyone,

First of all, my apologies, as I realise this seems like a really rookie question.
I am in the process of choosing my PGCE, and just wanted to make sure I am not on totally the wrong track.

My aim is to teach English in international schools abroad, ideally within Latin America. I therefore applied to do my PGCE in English Language and Literature. I presumed this specification of course was correct, even though the IB appears to blend the skills of English Literature and Language with, naturally, some teaching of English as a Foreign Language.

However, I have now also seen that there are PGCE courses to train as a teacher of English as a Foreign or Other Language. Would this option offer more potential for teaching internationally, or less?

It is just because I have taught abroad as an unqualified teacher of EFL before, and this seems to be a less reputable, or at the very least, less well-paid area of the international teaching market. On the other hand, I don't know if this qualification would fit more with the IB specifications overseas? I would be ultimately looking to teach at international school level, rather than solely at bilingual schools.

Anyone who can provide any further clarification - it really would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much to you both for your in-depth responses. It was well and truly appreciated. I am now looking into doing my PGCE!

Thanks again!

So many people have already provided a lot of good points! So here are some less immediately pertinent ones.

If you're thinking about moving on from China after several years or so, find out about the process for withdrawing your (obligatory) pension investments prior to exiting the country and put it into action. It appears to be a lot more difficult when you have already left.

Also, you can apply in-country for both a Chinese-language and English-language version of a police check to show your next employers. It still takes a long time, but again is apparently even more complex after leaving.

Hi everyone,

I am a TEFL Trinity-certified teacher from the UK, who has taught English Language and Literature for two years at secondary schools in China, and three months or so in Spain. Unfortunately I did not gain any IB experience from these positions. My dream is to be able to teach at secondary level in Latin America, specifically Mexico and Peru, whilst at the same time being able to make a somewhat comfortable income. Enough to be able to travel during holiday season, and perhaps save a tiny bit. From what I have seen, international schools in Mexico/Peru seem more able to provide this than national ones (though please correct me if I'm wrong!). And I have noticed that for a lot of the international schools, there is a requirement for a 'national teaching certificate' i.e. a PGCE, and usually two years of "relevant experience."

I would love to move abroad and begin teaching as soon as possible, but am now realising this might take some time. I don't really know how necessary the PGCE + QTS course is in order to gain a good salary teaching in Mexico and Peru. Is this essential, or am I just not looking in the right places?

Also, from the ambiguous wording of these posts regarding "relevant experience," I don't really know whether I would need to stay and complete two additional years of teaching in the UK on top of the PGCE. Are there schools in Mexico/ Peru that would accept my two pre-qualification years of experience as being valid, or must these be post-qualification?

Equally, how vital is obtaining IB experience prior to any applications to ISs in Mexico/Peru? From reading other posts on this forum, as a general rule of thumb it appears to be essential. If this is the case in the areas I wish to go to also, is there any particular route a teacher in the UK can take in order to gain such experience?

Finally, as I am applying to courses now, it would great to know whether there are certain courses that are in greater need of teachers in international schools in Mexico/Peru. My background of teaching is English, but I have a BA in Modern Languages, and would consider specialising in MFL, Social Sciences, or other Humanities, if these were subjects which schools in Mexico/Peru might particularly need teachers for.

Any and all advice welcomed, - and thank you from a very unaware but just as eager teacher!